Im starting to get more interested in this matchup, I still believe pascal will beat hopkins easily, but im starting to hope hopkins will pull off the win.
You don't have to trust me, you just have to watch what Hopkins did in his last 2 fights. He won't get old overnight, he already did. He's shot. Already. Compare Hopkins' speed, power and stamina in the RJJ fight with Pascal's and you'll get your answers. Hopkins is so slow that he won't even be able to clinch that much.
Carl Froch was a hungry young fighter contesting his first world title in his hometown. Hopkins has achieved everything in the sport. He's creeping towards 50 years old and is looking for paydays. In his last two fights (at least) against crap opponents he's shown that he doesn't have the lungs for it anymore. He can't fight for 1 minute a round. Let alone the full 12x3. He can't manage any sustained aggression and is ever more reliant on spoiling tactics to keep the scorecards close. Jean Pascal is a big step up from the corpse of Roy Jones or some guy no one has ever heard of. I think its certainly possible that this could be the end of the road for B-Hop.
Trust me, not going to happen mate. I'm a B-hop fan, but the man is done and Pascal is just too good at this stage.
Hopkins will end up on the canvas at some point and ultimately be stopped, likely failing to come out from his corner within 10 rounds.
I personally think Hopkins went 3-0 against Taylor and Calzaghe, not the 0-3 on his record. Hopkins wasnt troubled by Calzaghes speed, in fact he was timing him very well, it was Calzaghes workrate making it harder, but IMO Calzaghe is a better and smarter fighter than Pascal. IF(!), Hopkins can make this an ugly fight, and I believe he will, he wins handily. Pascal gives too many openings IMO to beat BHop, and I think this will be a very emphatic victory for Hopkins.
:thinkReally now? This just proves to me how many people on here really know little of a young Hopkins. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AfHVFaz6KQ&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3S8YBGS8pE&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B3kLNrF2tg[/ame]
Good analysis of the fight. Lets not forget other aspects such as Pascal's will and his handspeed. Sad part is that Hopkins has to spoil fights at this stage of his career. It's a shame because he used to be exciting at once which many people forget.
Just watch and you will see why Hopkins wont win the fight. Pascal UD. I will be very impressed if Hopkins can get the W in this fight.