Hopkins v Pavlik press conference

Saw this an hour ago, you can tell both guys have great respect for the other.

 

Hopkins is actually making me think he has a chance to win now

He showed no class throwing the notion of a bet out at Kelly though. Kelly is a respectable guy and didn't come out and talk bad about Hopkins and promise a KO or anything. Of course he will say that a KO is possible, what fighter wouldn't. Anything Kellys trainer says is something else and Hopkins should've addressed his trainer and not him.

 

The truth is, it's more entertaining listening to Bernard talk these days than it is watching him fight! I'm serious!

Great HOF boxer, good guy, good promoter, but I believe his ring performances these days are actually bad for boxing in general.

His name puts the fights on a big stage, then he stinks the joint out with the most boring 12 rounds of ugly defensive boxing you could ever imagine.

The UFC should pay this guy to keep boxing till he's 60. Every time he fights MMA gets another 100,000 new fans.

 

Thanks McGrain ! Both men have travelled a long hard road to get to this point in their respective careers .

 

They are boring not because he's a great technician or because he he doesn't get hit but because he ****ing holds for a huge percentage of the fight.

 

No its not. That is called cheating when it is so persistent.

Not many boxers other than him, Hatton and Ruiz do this constantly. I know why he does it, its because he's old and can't fight 12 rounds at any pace, but its still ****ing boring to watch hugging for possibly 50% of the fight.

 

Its nothing to do with fighting a Micky Ward style. Don't assume bull**** like that. That is not even anything close to my preference in style. You can be a great defensive fighter and technician without having to hold for long periods. There have been plenty throughout history.

I don't care what style a guy is, if hes holding round after round its just plain boring, period. It's not a legitimate part of the sport that should be encouraged, at least not that frequently. The odd breather...okay.

Hopkins didn't do this as much when he was young and as a result he was much better to watch. He needs to do it now, but it doesn't make it any less boring, just slightly more excusable.

 

They hardly have a chance not to co-operate, Hopkins is a big strong guy, and he'll lunge in with the head and if by chance he misses that he'll grab on for dear life. We can't put the blame on his opponents when by coincidence every recent Hopkins fight has had a ridiculous amount of clinching, and he actually initiates the majority of them himself.

And "banging to the body (kidney)" is not exactly something that pulls it back for him. He usually punches them illegally on the blind side of the ref when he is in a clinch.

It's horrible to watch, but more excusable for him at 43 than Hatton and Ruiz. What the **** their excuse is I don't know.

 

That I will agree with. I don't think Hopkins could possibly fight 12 rounds against these guys without clinching. That is why I'm not too harsh on him, because I recognise the fact its come more into his game with age. Great if you can get away with it, but I'm not gonna pretend its good to watch.

I don't know what the hell the refs think either. They surely come into fights knowing what to look for with Hopkins and they should be paying close attention to those kidney shots and rabbit punches as well as persistent clinching. Never gets a warning. Amazing.

Ruiz and Hatton are even worse. These are career long bores for me. They never even had ability like Hopkins, they rely on wrestling.

 

Erm, no. He's the Klitschko sackswinger.

 

Bernard looks kinda not himself,too loose,too calm,too...resignated?..

 

Hopkins is the smartest dirtiest fighter ever!

this guy is amazingly dirty in a smart way.

 

Your kidding right?:nut It's facinating to watch.

 

I hope you are being sarcastic

You like watching grown men hugging each other? Is that fascinating to you? I could suggest a form of "entertainment" more suited to you should that be the case.