Dawson vs. Hopkins

Dawson doesn't need to get into the habit of fighting too many old guys (assuming he gets Tarver this fall), but as long as Hopkins keeps winning, a potential fight between those two could be the decisive one for LHW supremacy.

For me, Dawson poses the same problems Taylor did to Bernard (youth, workrate, size), only he's faster, more skilled and more intelligent. The one negative may be that Dawson is a southpaw, and Hopkins seems to have those guys down pat.

Still, I think Chad keeps Bernard at bay with the jab, and simply outhustles him for an 8-4 decision.

 

You think? Hopkins has looked good against a shot Tarver and a declining, puffed up Winky, but why would Dawson struggle more against Hopkins than Taylor?

I view Chad as superior to Taylor, most importantly in this fight that he seems to understand what he needs to do to win. He was very defense-conscious versus Adamek (until he got cocky), but bumrushed Ruiz and Gardner. I realize those guys aren't Hopkins, but he has shown an adaptability Taylor apparently lacks.

Along with his reach, speed and workrate advantages, I think he beats Hopkins clearly.

But I respect your opinion.

 

Oh, I agree. Tarver still has a punch, although I don't think he can win a decision without seriously hurting Dawson. He may split some early rounds with Chad, but Antonio will tire over the second half of the fight. I still say there's a reasonable chance Dawson stops the fatigued Tarver late.

 

You guys may all be right, but no one has tried to explain how Taylor could fight Hopkins evenly over two fights, while Dawson wouldn't.

If I were taking the pro-Hopkins position, I might say that 1) Dawson is a lefty, which Hopkins owns, and 2) Hopkins appears rejuvenated after his move to 175.

But I still don't see the experience or roughhousing being a problem, because Chad will use his legs and reach, whereas neither Tarver nor Wright could do that (legs, in Tarver's case). No one defeats Hopkins easily, but I think Chad will consistently nick rounds due to higher numbers of thrown and landed punches, and thus take the clear win.

But first things first, Chad does need to finish Tarver.

 

Since you've followed Chad for so long, you might know the answer to this question. I've seen at least a couple references to Dawson holding some sort of grudge against Jermain Taylor, and that he'd really like to fight him. What's up?

 

Well, I think the trainer change will fix that. Hell, Floyd was pushing for him to try and get a stoppage against Adamek, and Chad's posturing got him a seat on the canvas! We'll see how this develops.

I really do hope both of these fights come off, and then a bout against the winner of Kessler/Calzaghe or Taylor/Pavlik at a catchweight.