How impressed were you with Hopkin's defense against Dawson?

I was impressed but not surprised. alot of people will dwell on the dirty tactics used by hopkins, but the man not only neutralized dawson for stretches, but he made dawson miss with some cracking shots. At the same time, I was impressed with dawson's mental toughness, which was lacking in the pascal fight. he came out looking to do damage and didnt let the multiple cuts deter him.

 

Still showing legendary skills and impressive defense. Unfortunately not so much his offense, but his activity wasnt as impressive. He lost a golden opportunity when Dawson was recuperating from those cuts. He could of landed his best powershots and taken advantage, maybe even stop him. For a 47yr old a respectable performance especially against the elite 175lber.

 

Great first posts to start off this thread and Hops defense was fantastic. He just didn't do enough on the offensive end though thats a credit for Chad for landing more solid shots. Not a win for Hopkins of course nor a beating in defeat but great skill in both men. Glad he fouled him so much as Dawson showed he could get pat that to stick to a gameplan. I think people underrate the solid advice from Scully that Dawson received.

 

not at all impressed....it was a Hopkins style fight, rough tough, tight defensively....Dawson did what was required to win and that was stay calm busy and relaxed....gotta outwork a defensive wizard and counterpuncher like B-Hops

 

Considering that he fought within the parameters to just stay afloat and survive, there was'nt much to be impressed about.

We all know Hopkins is good defensively. Its not that hard for a fighter of the know how of Hopkins to just stay afloat if he just concentrates on the defensive side of the game and doe'snt pay much mind to the goal of what he needs to do offensivelly to bank rounds.


If you want to be impressed with real defense and ring generalship within the parameters and goal to win, take a look at Juan Manuel Marquez' masterclass of Manny Pacquiao this past November.
Now thats a fighter who nullified Pacquiao's offense, and at the same time zoned in offensively to consistently and round by round hammer Pacquiao with clean and effective connects.
.....and not one ****ing time did Marquez fall into a clinch or bum rush Pacquiao with spoiling tactics. Not one ****ing time!bbb:bbb:bbb

 

Hopkins is a *****. He fights like a punk. He fouls the entire fight, leads with his head, holds during every exchange and he constantly runs. And you call that being a defensive master, I say bull****. He is a good boxer but he found away to work the system. I hate people who find away to work the system. If you want to watch a real fighter, watch Floyd Mayweather, andre Ward, or James Toney. THey fight the way you are suppose to Box!

 

Impressed? More like disgusted. I'm impressed by clean, intelligent, technical, precise defensive skills with great footwork, reflexes and adjustments like Benitez's or Mayweather's, not by classless old ****s whose "amazing defense" is made of fouling and cheating and bum rushing and clinching and headbutting. I wish I could referee one of this scumbag's fights. I think the disgusting ******* would end up disqualified in 4.

 

Could not of been said better!

 

Not really considering hopkins spent most of the fight spoiling rather then fighting, which is what he normally does. He's very skilled, but he relies on dirty tactics too much. Those moments where he does box and let his hands go, he's as technically sound as anybody out there.

I will say his footwork, technically, is the best in the game.

 

For a 47 year old, his reflexes are otherworldly. He gets hit more though for keeping his hands down a lot with his faded reflexes. I've noticed this in all of his fights post-Pavlik, especially when he's forcing his way in close or pulling away from exchanges.

 

About as impressed as with Julio Ler's defense against Jorge Arce, or Andre Dirrell's against Curtis Stevens. :conf Except Dawson wasn't near as aggressive as either Arce or Stevens were. The fight was almost as bad as those, though. :yep

It should be noted that Hopkins got poked in the belly with left hands all night. Those count as penetrating his defense, even without being able to mess up his face.

 

^This