I think Shumenov is going to beat up Hopkins

Hopkins is now fading fast and ready to be taken but not by someone like Shumenov. I see Hopkins winning a UD.

Shumenov has terrible foot work. He needs to be set to throw which means Hopkins movement will have him constantly resetting and rarely being in position to punch and even when he does punch his attacks are too predictable. Style wise Shumenov is perfect for him.

 

Lol, didn't even know the fight was going to happen at all, let alone next week.

 

Shumenov is a big guy and appears to have OK power, but he is just fairly basic and easy to read. It's not that he's bad - he just isn't very good, furthermore he's not fought anyone of note since being gifted the belt 4 years ago. Unless BHop got very old very quickly he should be able spoil Beibut to an ugly UD.

 

Hopkins has been a very dedicated athlete, who has kept himself in shape all of the time and looked after his weight and body also.
If you run 10 miles a day, you are not suddenly not going to be able to do it when you turn 45 if you were doing it every day for the last 20 years and were doing it no problem at 44 and 364 days.
Hopkins is still very good at an advanced age.
If established world champs like Tarver, Dawson, Pascal and Cloud are not able to finish or beat up Hopkins, Im not convinced Shumenov will be able to beat him up even if he beats him.
Shumenov is big like Hopkins and looks strong, and I think can make it physical and tough on Hopkins if he applies the right fight, but im not convinced he is varied enough to beat 49 year old Hopkins.
I think Hopkins wins

 

You are seeing a very different fighter than I am seeing then. His foot work is terrible, he crosses his feet, he's a real plodder and has an overly wide stance which gives him the base for his power shots. His centre of balance is also very low which gives him a strong base but also makes him immobile. He's not even as mobile as Pavlik or Tito. Even Tarver who had poor movement has better footwork. His opposition so far has basically stood in front of him, he hasn't had to really chase an opponent.

Hopkins from a few years ago would have shut out Shumenov and even now he'll win comfortably on points. But I guess we'll see what will happen on the night.

 

i think bhop close decision, he will try and make it rough and tough

 

I like Shumenov's chances in this one but won't be surprised if Bernard takes it. Shumenov isn't strictly a hooker like Cloud or Pascal and brings something new to the table for a change.

 

Great fight and the all around card is light years better than last nights Pac-Bradley card.

 

Shu is a tough out . . . young and stronger than anyone the old man has ever faced. That being said I would never count out Bhop but if he loses I would not be overly surprised

 

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Bhop loses either. He got hit a lot against Murat. Some of it by choice and some of it cause he couldn't avoid them. Bhop of just a few years ago would've schooled Murat. At some point, he has to lose, even against a cherry picked opponent like Shum.

 

Even though he is 49 years old, it would be a disaster if Hopkins lost, which i don't see him do. He might lose Stevenson & Kovalev, but Shumanov? No way