In most of his past fights, Bernard Hopkins has created both an underdog image, as well as a heated relationship with his opponent to gain motivation and the psychological edge over his opponent. With Tito, he disrespected the Puerto Rican flag by snatching it out of Trinidad's hand and stomping on it, and he did it at the press conference in Puerto Rico in front of all of Tito's fans. Security had to hold Tito back from attacking BHOP on the stage, and the incident almost caused a riot! At the press conference for Jean Pascal, BHOP physically pushed Pascal when Pascal put his arm around Hopkins's shoulder asking him to take a pre-fight drug test. Hopkins used every opportunity to taint Pascal as being a 4 round fighter with no stamina. Although he was the underdog in both fights, the psychological edge belonged to Hopkins in both fights. In this upcoming fight, Hopkins has not been able to generate his usual animosity from his opponent. Probably due to Shumenov being extremely respectful to the Legend. Almost actually saying that he is a huge fan, and extremely blessed to be getting into the ring so soon with one of the world's best known boxers. Hopkins is actually the favourite and is expected by most to win the fight, and moving closer to his goal of unifying the LHW belts, making history as the oldest undisputed LHW champion. Rarely in BHOP's history has he come into the fight as such a huge favourite, against an opponent who he has not created emotional conflict prior to stepping into the ring.
Mental advantage may very well mean that they are even in this area. Shumenov lacks the experience of old man Hopkins, and that may make all the difference in this fight. We may very well see a Hopkins-Pavlik repeat. :yep Or, we may get to see a very competitive fight. If Hopkins wins, he will once again make history, rising the bar even higher. if Shumenov wins, a win over Hopkins will bring him big money fights and possibly, unification. He'll be the man, at LHW.
i wouldn't call hopkins loss an upset.beating grandfather is not an upset,to me hopkins is still underdog in this fight.great respect for hopkins to take dangerous shumenov at this point of his career. for me hopkins is almost GOAT.yes not the greatest resume,but still very great. and seriously have started to think could hopkins still compete five more years?that would hilarious.and b-hop haters,please stop saying hopkins should fight Stevenson or Kovalev.you should respect grandpa Hopkins for taking again TOP10 opponent.Hopkins could pull the impossible one more time and beat Stevenson or Kovalev,but i don't want to see senior citizens get beaten to bloody pulp.let hopkins have his own way out,like he has always been. thank you Mr.Hopkins for everything,every human being should respect Bernard "the executioner" "the alien" Hopkins.
Great post by a true boxing fan. Hopkins may eventually end up being beaten, but I doubt if that will be an actual physical beating. Not like we saw with Angulo or Bute. Hopkins is far too good and too experienced to allow that. I'd be surprised if when the odds are in, if Hopkins is the betting underdog.
"An upset" is when the consensus underdog beats the consensus favorite. Hopkins will be the consensus favorite and by a long shot, too...
