Hopkins v Taylor (1&2)

There were some swing rounds in the second fight more than the first but like you said rounds 9-12 Hopkins fought well. I thought he won rounds 8-12 and the only decisive round in fight 2 that Taylor won was 11 and 6. Hopkins started a little earlier in the second fight which which I think people overlook. I can see a draw in the second fight but I don't see how you had Taylor winning it because he missed too many punches and shoe shinned most of the time, where Hopkins was landing the cleaner effective punches.

 

I think that a lot of people around here, meaning boxing fans and members giving their opinion on this poll and thread, are sligthly moved by the comments made by HBO commentators and unofficial judge as they and RJJ thought Bernard waited to get back to the fight too late after having lost and in their opinion the entire first half of the 12 rounder. Nothing could be further away from the truth after the initial onslaught launched by Taylor in the second round and the reaction he had after being cut on the head... Basically Hopkins was timing him with big left hooks, sharp right hands and making him back away as the long race was unfolding... Think better and find out if Taylor really won all 6 rounds like the HBO commentators claim.

 

Taylor won both. They both were close, but the second one he clearly won.

 

Taylor didn't win all 6 rounds and it's very exaggerated that he did. I've watched both fights many of times and come up with Hopkins winning both fights and the best i've came up with was a draw for Taylor but not a win.

 

I think he won the first and lost the second.
I always asked myself wtf did Taylor give Hopkins so much trouble.

 

Taylor made most of and took advantage of Hopkins xtreme low output in order to punch with great accuracy. Hopkins was basically sensing Jermain with a left jab but not connecting. His one goal was to hurt Taylor with a sharp right after setting him up with a left lead jab that had Taylor backing off early but it took a long, long time to happen and Hopkins had to throw those rights with no jabs to set em up. In the meantime, Taylor threw those unorthodox rights pulling his arm back like bowing an arrow, but basically scored jabs and body shots in flurries in close, challanged Pops inside with his physical strength and that paid of in the judges cards. I don't think Jermain could have done better and neither could had Lou DiBella.

 

I had Hopkins winning both fights. The first 8-4 (Hops swept the last 4 rounds). The second was 7-5 Hopkins, IMO.

 

Not possible that Hopkins won 7 rounds in that fight.

 

Both fights were close and there were alot of close rounds. But Hopkins ring generalship was better.

 

Hopkins lost both fights with Taylor, and he lost to Calzaghe as well.
Hopkins was, as usual, gracious in defeat.

 

Just watched the first fight. Close, but Taylor won. Maybe a draw because some of those early rounds are close since Hopkins slowed the pace down so much.