Bernard Hopkins vs Segundo Mercado I

I know this is a long post, but trust me its worth reading the whole thing!

Like all other huge Hopkins' fans, I was wondering earlier how this defensive master who I've never seen in trouble was knocked down twice against a guy who was 19-2 when he fought a prime Hopkins.

Anyways I downloaded the fight and checked it out and its a great fight. First of all, you can throw out any and all preconception of Hopkins being a boring fighter. If this fight were to happen today it would be an automatic FOY candidate. Watch this at your own risk cause you might become a Hopkins fan as well.

Two major factors IMO stand out in the premise to this fight.

1. The fight hapenned in Quito, Ecuador, which is at 9,350 feet (2,850 m) in altitude!!! For any of you who have been skiing at high altitude you know like I do that its tiring to even talk at about 2750m. Fighting 12 rounds at 2850m is absolutely rediculous!!!! I can't believe they fought at such a high altitude, someone like Jermain Taylor would've gassed after 30 seconds. Mercado lived and trained in Quito, but Bernard only arrived in Ecuador four days before the fight. At the end of round 9 Hopkins looked like Klitschko before Brewster KTFO of him. I don't know how he came back so strong in round 10 but it shows Hopkins is a champion at heart. (on my card BHop swept the championship rounds)

2. Segundo Mercado's sister commited suicide 1 week prior to the fight, and he also lost his mentor (a general who trained him in the army) right before the fight. He dedicated this fight to both of them and truly fought an amazing fight. After watching this fight, its kind of dumbfounding that Mercado's record is so bad because he has got some good skills.

anyways here is my scorecard.

1. BH 10-9
2. SM 10-9
3. BH 10-9
4. SM 10-9
5. SM 10-8
6. BH 10-9
7. SM 10-8
8. SM 10-9
9. BH 10-9
10. BH 10-9
11. BH 10-9
12. BH 10-9

113-113 for a DRAW

:happy

 

I've been in high altitude and no, its not overrated.

 

Actually if you watch Hopkins vs Tarver, Hopkins can get quite agressive depending on his opponent, even today.

 

NFL players say they have problems when they play in Denver at 5,000 feet.

Boxing is much more tiring both mentally and physically than football, and the fight was at 9,350 feet.

I can't believe you're actually comparing Baseball to Boxing

 

further evidence that the altitude had an effect on Hopkins is that in the rematch a few months later Hopkins won every round and then knocked Mercado out in the 7th.

The Broncos, who play at about half the altitude of Quito, Ecuador, have the best home field record in the past 30 years.