I doubt they knew what they were getting themselves into. I would blame his mgmt for that one. They should be aware of all existing conditions of the place where he will be fighting before they agree to a fight. Do some research, make sure you have sufficient funds available, and make travel arrangements accordingly; i.e. book a place for him and his crew to stay for the extra time needed to get acclimated, have needed security, and transportation, in addition someone who can show them around.
I remember that well. Hopkins clearly lost that fight. To Nard's credit, he dominated Mercado in their rematch, stopping him in the 7th round.:smoke:smoke
I don't know about JC ... he's good but Hopkins has showed his ability to disrupt a fighters rhythm and boxing. I pick JC to win but he'll be more cautious and show B-Hop alot of respect. He won't knock Hopkins out that for sure -- if he gets over that war of nerves he will be able to get a decision or lose by decision.
The ref was holding Bernard at the break but still he took the shot and landed on the seat of his trunks in the first... And would spend 8 rounds on the move until he really hurt Antwun seriously in the ninth. Echols had bigger power in both hands but Joe punches pretty wild - Bernard cannot just punch in between Joe's punches, not the way he gets open to southpaw's right hooks above his left shoulder ( vs Daniels, vs Allen III) and the way Joe puts some weight behind his looping punches ( vs Eubank, vs Veit I & II, vs Mitchell)...
You people just don't get it, do you? Mercado, Echols, Taylor, even Allen, all those guys were muscular, massive, thick middleweights just like Kessler was at 168... You get hit by those guys right on the spot, you go down! Mercado being feather fisted or Hopkins glass jawed... What a joke.
LMAO. 9,400+ elevation with only 4 days to assimilate. And still pulls out a draw. The legend of Hopkins grows.......