If Hopkins beats Pascal, will you rank him higher than Roy and Floyd?

I agree that Dawson is definitely a much tougher fight for B-Hop, but to say he's cherrypicking by fighting Pascal is ****ing rediculous.

 

I disagree. I hope you are right though. I just do not believe Bernard has the stamina to win enough rounds vs Pascal's aggression. I expect Pascal to have taken note of his endurance issue vs Dawson, and come in better shape for this fight. If this was the 2006 Hopkins, or even the 2008 Hopkins, I'd confidently back him to absolutely school Pascal, who I don't think much of technically. But Hopkins's stamina looked woeful in the Jones fight, and that was one of the slowest-paced, easiest and most risk-free fights anyone has ever had. Pascal is much younger, fresher, stronger and more determined than Jones.

Like I said though, my fingers will be crossed for Bernard.

 

Thats exactly what he's going to do. He's going to hold, foul and win a close decision of a beleaguered Pascal.

It should be common knowledge that Hopkins would most likely have moved up to heavyweight had Dawson won. He wanted no part of Chad.

 

There is was no money in fighting Dawson. He can't even sell out a venue in his own home town. In addition to that, like you said, Dawson is a terrible matchup for Hopkins.

 

Dawson was calling Hopkins out for 2 years. On radio, in letters, Golden Boy was pissed that Hopkins wasnt fighting Dawson thus the fall out. Dawson loses he fights Pascal who is obviously a much better opponent style wise. What do you call that?

 

Is Hopkins making significantly more fighting Pascal then he would fighting Dawson? I dont think so. Its not like the fight will be big in America.

 

Because Dawson is big risk, low money. If Hopkins was 26, I'd say he had been ducking Dawson, because he'd have an obligation to fight all of the active top guys at lhw. But he is 46, and 2 divisions above his own natural division. A 46 year old man does not duck and he does not cherrypick. The fact he can compete at this level is a miracle. He has earned the right to choose his opponent. As long as that opponent is a top fighter, which Pascal is, then Hopkins is above criticism. If Hopkins signed to fight another Ornelas/Jones calibre fighter, I'd say he should retire, it's pointless. But he is taking on THE MAN in his division. It is insane to call that a cherrypick, considering the circumstances.

 

Dude is a brawler who beat Chad, and still is the favorite in this one. Hop is 46 and an ATG! Give him a break! If not for fighting a young, bullish Ring champion then for his years of giving us the Executioner mask, great Taylor rivalry, and many classic victories.

Really just answer me what other 40+ old fighter is fighting a fight anywhere near this level?

 

It's clear he wanted none of Dawson.

 

This. although I don´t think there is much already, if anything, between him and Jones.

 

Hopkins is still better then 99% of the fighters at light heavy to cruiser no matter what his age is. Its clear with Hopkins age isnt a factor. He is still a really good fighter. So picking fighters who are stylistically better for you is a cop out pure and simple.

Hell if every old fighter got to pick and choose what fighters they'd rather fight stylistically maybe alot of em wouldnt end their careers so early.

 

I'm not trying to say Hopkins is cherrypicking so dont take it that way but how does Pascal bring in more money...This statement stood out to me...I see what you're saying and I applaud Hopkins for doing this but lets not forget that when Dawson was on top...Hopkins wanted no parts of him...MichiganWarrior does have a point though.

 

HopKins was clearly outworked by Calzaghe years ago.
He is clearly shot and i will put all my v-cash on Pascal when they fight:deal

 

By the way, since you seem to have a strong opinion on who is a cherrypicker, I will ask you this question, MichiganWarrior:

Is Floyd Mayweather a cherrypicker?

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So let me ask you - if Bernard Hopkins is a cherrypicker for fighting The Ring lightheavyweight champion when B-Hop is almost 46, is Floyd Mayweather a far, far, FAR worse cherrypicker for what he has done over the past SIX YEARS????

 

You are completely underestimating Hopkins's decline over the last 2 years.

Have you seen the Hopkins-Pavlik fight?

Have you seen the Hopkins-Jones rematch?

Hopkins's stamina has plummeted downhill, it's blindingly obvious.