Simple question, is Hopkins afraid of fighting Dawson (in the sense that he might lose)? Obviously not of being stopped or hurt. Obviously at this point in his career Hopkins has earned the right to fight whoever he likes, particularly after schooling a young fighter who at the time was seen as being a real beast (obviously Bernard didn't get that memo). I ask this question because Dawson cannot really prove himself as the main man in the LHW division whilst theres an all time great chilling in it. People seem to see this as a blight on Dawson, but Hopkins has never really appeared to want anything to do with Dawson. You might say theres no reason for Hopkins to fight Dawson, but that isn't true. Dawson would give Hopkins status as an ATG a huge nudge (more so than any other win below heavyweight), as it would work towards restoring his only detracting stereotypes, that he has preyed on smaller fighters throughout his career, and that he has trouble with slick fighters/ only thrives against simplistic fighters. Unfortunately, Dawson is a terrible draw, and the fight represents the worst possible risk to financial reward matchup for Hopkins. So it won't happen. Dawson can't dwell on a match up like this though, he needs to go straight after Pascal and Cloud to gain some marketability. Although chances are if he beats them the majority will suggest (possibly rightly) that they never beat anyone or achieved much at all. But it would mitigate some of the heat about him fighting on the masters circuit.
It is nothing to do with fear it is all about money. Dawson has no fans and brings nothing to the table financially.
As i said, Hopkins obviously isn't scared of any man in the physical fight sense (getting hurt etc), but is he afraid of a matchup with Dawson because it presents a potential loss. Hopkins didn't rule anything after beating Tarver. He won a close fight with a version of Wright that was above his comfortable weight zone and then lost to Calzaghe. Also, now that Adamek is at heavyweight (if indeed he is legitimately campaigning there), there is nothing really for Hopkins to do at cruiserweight.
I doubt Hopkins cares that much about losing anymore. It's all about fighting the guys that will give him the most money. Dawson is about the worst choice possible in that regard.
That's prety much it. For Hopkins, a Dawson would be a very high risk low reward type of fight. I don't necassarily blame Hops for not wanting this fight. He's older now and only wants the big money fights before he calls it quits and Dawson is a much younger guy of a younger generation than Hops. Bernard doesn't need this fight to increase his already spectacular legacy.
I don't think he is actually scared it's not like Dawson will hurt him even if he manage to take the decision. He's not a good draw, he is not smaller or limited in any area so he is a risk with low reward so Nard don't care about him.
of course hopkins is afraid of dawson. roy jones is much less dangerous at this time and offers just about the same money. calzaghe also is and was afraid of dawson. and the surest thing is that roy jones is also scared of dawson. this questions demands a poll.
i think you pretty much summed it up by pointing out (correctly) that this fight would be the worst risk to financial reward matchup for hopkins. dawson is a real threat to beat him and anyone else in the division and doesnt exactly bring in top dollar doing it. at this stage in hopkins' career, it probably just isnt worth it. he doesnt have many fights left in him and i'm sure he wants to maximize value while minimizing risk.
