Hopkins only trained 5 weeks??

Difference is, against Taylor he's fighting a young middleweight.
Tarver is an old (almost as old as Hopkins) light heavy (fresh from a movie...).

Hopkins has fought most of his career as a middleweight, and fights at that pace. Tarver a light heavy.

I doubt Hopkins could be so active against a younger, lighter guy as he could against an older, heavier guy, without paying a price.

 

Usually its around 6 to 8 weeks.

 

You just touched on something, and I agree totally. Good post. Cal's sustained output and speed kept Hop's energy up for the whole fight. He tired the old man out later by just being active and making Hop use defense. Against guys not as fast as Cal, Hop was able to dictate the pace. Winky, Tarver, J.T were not able to dictate the pace for the entire fight. Pav is going to try to do this, but he isn't as fast as Cal. Pav hits hard, but is slower than Hop. The old if he doesn't crumble or get caught could have a good night, but he is going up against a very good fighter and at any time Hop can get old. Good post Scar.