Bernard Hopkins vs Jermain Taylor at catchweight of 170 lbs?

Hopkins wins this fight by UD, 116-112. The reason why is because first of all JT no longer is a big name in boxing, and he isn't the face of HBO anymore, which are the 2 reasons he got the edge over Hopkins in their first 2 fights. Second, JT still has stamina issues, and he wont pressure Hopkins & make him uncomfortable like CalZ did. Hopkins is a bigger draw than JT at the moment & has proven that he's good even without the judges & networks on his side & as an underdog, therefore there will be no favoritism for JT. And as far as the fight goes, I think Hopkins adjusts a little more and just gets the best of JT.

 

Hops should have one if not two wins over Taylor right now, but if a thrid would be made ata 170 catchweight I'd go with Hops. Part off the reason Hops wasn't countering Taylor as much as he could have was because he was partially intimidated by Taylor's size and power. Hops being a full fledged light heavyweight now wouldn't have that problem, and would probably be much more free with his counterpunching.

Taylor's stamina would probably be affected with the added weight as well and would slow down in the later rounds.

Hops by wide and fair UD, or by late rounds KO. Leaning towards the UD though.

 

I cant see Taylor convincingly defeating Hopkins, which he would have to do.

 

Hopkins is fighting much better at the MW limit then he was back in 05. I think he could win a 3rd fight. The fights were close but Taylor did win both matchups.

Meant to vote Hopkins UD instead of KO.

 

Taylor has Hopkins' number ... he would beat Hopkins 9 out of 10 times if they fought.

Taylor would use the same tactics that he used the first two times against Hopkins and may even pull off a better performance.

If this poll is because of Hopkins' most recent victory over Pavlik ... then I have to say this ... Taylor imo beat Pavlik the second time around by a couple of points. It was the same as the second time with Hopkins. Taylor made the neccessary improvements and did enough to win the fight.
Pavlik may have won 4-5 rounds that fight but going into the 12th round I had Taylor ahead and Pavlik possibly needing a knockdown or two to even up the score.

 

Don't you think Pavlik won the last two rounds in the rematch? I did.

 

LOL at those saying the extra 10 lbs in weight is to Hopkins advantage and ignoring the fact that Taylor is also helped by the additional weight...

The dynamics of this fight remain the same as the first two... Taylor is strong enough, fast enough, and accurate enough to keep Hopkins on his toes, especially in the first 8 rounds when Taylor is generally his most active.

Hopkins doesn't do as well against guys who are quicker than him... and yes, even at 170, Taylor still has the speed advantage. Taylor is also a smarter fighter than the young, inexperienced bull he was the first time around.

Everyone jumping on Hopkins' nuts since the Pavlik fight need to take a moment and remember the Hopkins who lost to Calzaghe and Taylor and looked questionable against Wright.

Taylor's only losses have come to a high output, pressure fighter. Sorry, but Hopkins is not that guy. Fighting in spurts the way Hopkins does is not the way to guarantee victory over Taylor, as he also fights brilliantly in spurts and will look better doing it.

Taylor UD. Again.

 

It's hard to argue that Pavlik won the last two rounds in the rematch, but a lot of people have said they had Taylor up by three rounds or so after the 10th, meaning that they thought Pavlik needed a KD in order to tie it up or pull ahead.

That fight was close and I can see how it could be scored 115-113 for either fighter depending on who is rewarded with the closer rounds. By no means a robbery and nobody can be upset by the outcome.

 

I think Taylor would win another slim decision. The main dynamic in the fight, Taylor's speed advantage, is still there. Hopkins looked alot better than Jermain did against Pavlik, but styles make fights.

 

Most ridiculous post ever. Hopkins would beat Taylor 10/10 at 170 , 10/10 at 175. He needed to move up far before the 2 Taylor fights, which I thought he won the first but lost the 2nd.

Dont compare Taylor to Hopkins ever.

 

Why make this fight at 170?

If Taylor gets a belt in the next 6 months at 168 (which is likely if he faces Froch), I can see Bernard coming down to SMW in order to take from Taylor what was taken from him.

The chance to end your career by avenging two losses to the man who ended your record title reign, by taking his title and becoming a champ at a 3rd weight class? Drama drama drama. BHOP would be all over it.

 

Taylor has two wins over Hopkins (you even admit to one of them), yet you don't expect them to be mentioned together?

Please. Spit out. The nuts.

He's got every right to mention Taylor in the same sentence as Hopkins. Was he comparing their careers? No, not at all.

Instead of saying Hopkins beats Taylor 10/10 at 170 and 175, why don't you explain why?

 

I just couldn't say here.

I suspect it would be close and controversial again.