devise a strategy to defeat Bernard Hopkins

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by red cobra, Oct 26, 2008.


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  1. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    All props to Bernard Hopkins for his brilliant and age-defying victory over Kelly Pavlik! Now, having said that, remember Pavlik, at least in my opinion, was never a threat to beat Hopkins, with that guileless, straight ahead style of his. Guys like Jones, Taylor and Calzaghe, with skills, angles and jab and move techniques have shown they have the right ideas in coping with Bernard. A simplistic, walk-in type of slugger type will be Hopkin's meat and potatoes as we all know, so let's see what you guys would devise, strategywise if you were preparing your own fighter for challenging Hopkins. In my opinion, a classic jab and move stylist like a Willie Pastrano, with a purist's devotion to remaining on task, with a fanatical, almost religious dedication to avoid punishment like Pastano, and to use another stylistic example, Tommy Loughran. Pastrano, when "on" and in shape, like against Harold Johnson, had the required discipline to turn the tables on Johnson and refuse to lead, thus making Harold have to take the uncomfortable role of aggressor and do the leading in their 1963 15 rounder. This is the sort of strategy, even if it stinks out the crowd, that it would take IMO to outfox Bernard Hopkins, and not fall prey to lapsing and fighting the sort of fight that plays into Bernard's hands.
     
    red cobra, Oct 26, 2008
    red cobra, Oct 26, 2008
    #1
  2. dpw417

    dpw417 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Interesting question Red...and I believe you just answered it for us. Not just any fighter could pull it off, but an excellent mover with a great left jab IMO gives Hopkins the hardest fight... mobility is the key.
     
    dpw417, Oct 26, 2008
    dpw417, Oct 26, 2008
    #2
  3. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Hopkins can be beaten, speed and a decent amont of power. I thought Calzage beat him close but clearly.....
     
    Bummy Davis, Oct 26, 2008
    Bummy Davis, Oct 26, 2008
    #3
  4. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Yeah, that's it...speed and mobility. The guys who have beaten Hopkins in recent years have shown it, but definetly not Pavlik. I didn't get too excited about Pavlik's chances from the get-go, like so many of his fans. A sraight ahead plodder like that, with no angles or cleverness. Another thought, would a swarmer, a high energy type of swarmer have a chance against Hopkins, in your opinion?
     
    red cobra, Oct 26, 2008
    red cobra, Oct 26, 2008
    #4
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    A swarmer would tend to lose, I think. He'd get timed timed timed on the way in, over and over again. It could be argued that a swarmer might win rounds on workrate and aggression, but judges seem to prefer clean hard punches these days - hard to see any swarmer scoring blows on Hopkins better than the ones he'd be giving back.

    A traditional Walker performance would be very, very interesting to see stacked agains Hopkins, but I pick Bernard.
     
    McGrain, Oct 26, 2008
    McGrain, Oct 26, 2008
    #5
  6. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Punch him to the face and body more times than he punches you
     
    PowerPuncher, Oct 26, 2008
    PowerPuncher, Oct 26, 2008
    #6
  7. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Hopkins seems to struggle more against the athletes.
     
    Sweet Pea, Oct 26, 2008
    Sweet Pea, Oct 26, 2008
    #7
  8. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    :good
     
    Sweet Pea, Oct 26, 2008
    Sweet Pea, Oct 26, 2008
    #8
  9. r_9-Ronaldo

    r_9-Ronaldo Shinny Shadez Full Member

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    basically copy exactly what dlh did for the first 6rounds, flurrys again and again and again, in and out with speed and power is the way to beat b-hop
     
    r_9-Ronaldo, Oct 26, 2008
    r_9-Ronaldo, Oct 26, 2008
    #9
  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Take a gun into the ring

    ;)
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 26, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Oct 26, 2008
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  11. Loewe

    Loewe internet hero Full Member

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    An interesting thing is that basically a fighter with the same abilities - like mentioned: jab, fast feet and hand and a bit of power - would trouble both Hopkins versions either the younger, more athletic, more powerful and faster stalker version and the older, more experienced, craftier counterpuncher verstion.

    The thing is that you need these abilities but at a level that rarely occurres.
     
    Loewe, Oct 26, 2008
    Loewe, Oct 26, 2008
    #11
  12. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Tell me what fighter this skillset wouldn't trouble?
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 26, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Oct 26, 2008
    #12
  13. Loewe

    Loewe internet hero Full Member

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    No mas! :D
     
    Loewe, Oct 26, 2008
    Loewe, Oct 26, 2008
    #13
  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    :rofl

    :good

    ;)
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 26, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Oct 26, 2008
    #14
  15. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Hopkins struggles with a near mirror image of himself. You definitely need lateral movement and speed combined with a solid jab. Hopkins also doesn't like to lead off and be forced to become the aggressor over sustained periods of a fight. I'm talking a prime Hopkins. Not the aggressive one of the early-mid 90's.

    Chad Dawson is Hopkins' worst nightmare. I'll make a prediction now if they ever meet. Dawson W12. I'd be shocked if Hopkins pulled that one off.
     
    Robbi, Oct 26, 2008
    Robbi, Oct 26, 2008
    #15
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