Hopkins: An Analysis

If you think Hopkins has nobody on his resume, than who does Calzaghe have? (Both fighters resumes are underrated IMO)

 

I love how these anti-Hopkins threads conveniently forget to mention THE most impressive aspects of his career. Things like this:

-We all known that Hopkins is consistent and thats one of his greatest strengths, but does everyone know that during his reign as a titlist he had TEN late round stoppages, many coming as late as rounds 10-12. This is not common, its the mark of a fighter who is very determined and willing to stick to a game plan.

-Despite being an 'old dog', Hopkins is constantly surprising us. He comes out fighting in completely different styles. Not just styles that derive from boxing ability, even at age 40 he was able to go up in weight and become MORE active, get MORE use of his legs and other stuff like that. And not just new styles, but Hopkins improved a lot during parts of his career that by the time most fighters get there they are stuck in their ways or at sometimes even on the decline!

-Hopkins has also pulled off many upsets during his career (such as Trinidad and Tarver). But what makes them so amazing to me, is although at the time they were upsets, is that since then we have a hard time believing they were upsets because since then it has become so obvious that Hopkins was never in danger of losing those fights. I interpret this to mean: Hopkins is always bein underestimated. He's been 'finally over the hill' for like 8 years now, but he's still kicking ass!

 

Preach it bro. Tell them what's up. :good

 

Great post!!!

 

See I agree that Winky was above his ideal weight. I really wasnt trying to insinuate I felt differently.

My point on the subject was that, Hopkins is also far removed from his ideal weight. I always see in posts that Hopkins beat a blown up Winky...yet they forget that Hopkins himself is blown up (and 40+) at LHW. The weight difference was not the reason Hopkins won that fight (same with Oscar and Tito), it was that he was just BETTER. This is far overlooked.

And they NEVER mention that Winky was a big favorite going in as well.

 

not a big favorite but a slight one

 

3-1 if my memory serves me correctly...

But a favorite none the less.

 

I see your points but i gotta disagree on a few things. You're right, Hopkins was a work out freak and stayed in tip top shape but he said many times that he could've went up to LHW years ago. Only because he was so dedicated was he able to make MW. Almost anyone else couldn't have done it. So that did make Hopkins the naturally bigger man over Winky. And Hopkins has said that he feels more energized at 175 because he doesn't have to drain down so much.

And Winky was favored, but not by much.

 

Oh and something one of yall might have forgot in regards to Hopkins weight, he didn't just come in lighter than usual for the DLH fight: The fight was at a catchweight! The limit was 156 lbs!

And he's come in that light, or close to it (if not lighter once or twice) several times.

 

Sorry klion22 and sues2nd for repeating a lot of stuff in your thread, I started typing a while back and came back to my laptop after dinner.

 

against winky it was almost even odds

 

I really have nothing to add to this post....I just wanted to agree that over the years the losses to Taylor will mean less and less. Sues2nd: I know you are taking BHop to upset JC, mind if I ask how? I just honestly do not see how he can do it. I love BHop but I firmly believe that you need a guy with a very high work rate and excellent pressure tactics to beat JC

 

Workrate can be nullified with effective counter punching.

 

I will try....

Joe has a tremendous physical advantage on Bernard in the fact that he is much faster and busier. Noone will dare dispute that.

But, ask any boxing fan what the number one weapon vs tremendous speed is and they will all tell you tremendous timing (and counter punching as Lance stated previously). Now, go make a post asking what fighter has the best timing in boxing currently....Im willing to bet most will tell you Hopkins (or Floyd IMHO). His timing with his lead right and counter right are ridiculous.

People point to the fact that vs Winky, it looked as if this had slipped a bit...but they are ignoring one major factor....Winky's shell defense is unbelievable...being above his normal weight would have no bearing on this, as its predicated on technique, not reflexes and speed. A fighter like Wright is MADE to make you look as if your timing and accuracy have waned. Yet Hopkins still landed more on Winky than pretty much anyone has in YEARS. He still wobbled Winky late (again something noone has in years). This was a bi-product of the opponent, not the fighter.

Now onto output.

Instead of explaining it in such detail, I will make it easier. Paul Williams is an awkward fighter who throws in excess of 1000+ punches a fight. Vs Quintana he threw FAR less. Why? Because of Quintana's superior movement. And again, go make a post asking for the top fighters in the area of footwork/movement are and you again will see many choosing Bernard (or Floyd).

Its why Winky was able to throw in excess of 1000 punches in his previous fight and barely broke 600 vs Bernard.

But back to the Quintana - Williams comparison (and tho I FULLY admit that Calzaghe is 100x the fighter Williams is....Hopkins is also 100x the fighter Quintana is...). Quintana used superior movement to negate Paul's output...used superior defense to keep him off balance (unable to set his feet to throw in bunches or with power)...used superior timing to either lead or counter past William's lack of defense (something Calzaghe shares with Paul...tho again, better...but cannot be considered good).

This is how I see Hopkins approaching this fight. His lateral movement will be enough to cut Joe's workrate down significantly (the thought that Joe will just outwork Bernard is crazy talk). Joe WILL be open for that lead or counter right all night (Bernard's accuracy is also amazing...go look at his punch stats in most fights...)...and will also be unable to really sit and set on any type of combo he would normally throw.

Dont be too surprised if their workrate is similar (as in the Winky fight)....with Bernard landing the much cleaner shots throughout.

My prediction? Hopkins UD.

(oh and anytime the fight gets in close...which it will...Hopkins dirty infighting ability makes this match up a mismatch in his favor)

 

JC kills B-Hop in a slap boxing match, that I know.....