Is father time finally going to catch Hopkins

I think he's had a great career, and i wouldn't mind seeing him hang 'em up.. At this point, there really is nothing to be gained asside from "not losing decisively." as Max kellerman put it in his fight with Calzaghe. Hopkins picked up a great win against Pavlik over a year ago, and should have been contempt with that.

I haven't seen much of Jean Pascal, but he did a good job on Dawson and is practically young enough to be Hopkin's son.. Bernard should never be underestimated, as he is probably the best man to put on boxing gloves at that age.. Regardless of the outcome, I think Hop should make this his last and final outing.

 

I'm not so sure. Pascal showed in the Dawson fight a guy who fights in spurts and does little otherwise. Whenever Dawson stepped it up Pascal did not react very well. To me the question is if Pascal can avoid B-Hops straight rights from countering these spurts. He better not leap in either or he could easily be dropped. If Hopkins gets old we'll know about it. I think it would be good to do what Mayweather Jr did in his last fight and step up the aggression to correspond with his opponents old age. Mabye this will lead to him being countered more though I suppose. Put it this way stylistically Pascal matches up worse to B-Hop than Dawson did (hint, hint).

I hope this fight won't be as boring as people tend to think. I would love to see another masterclass but Pascal is much better than Pavlik and has better credentials. If B-Hop wins there is nothing at all in the division for him. Woulden't mind seeing him vs Bute if he impresses.

 

Yep I agree but the difference is Hopkins spurts are effective clean punches followed by a clinch. Pascal's are a little wider and more flashy but should be less effective against a guy with top class footwork. Hopkins definatly has that but I don't know if his footwork can consistently keep him away from Pascal. For me he needs to get Pascal to respect his power with some straight rights of the bat. I don't believe Pascal has the ring intelligence to adapt if Hopkins neautralises him. Mabye I'm underestimating him, he just didn't impress me against Dawson at all.

 

I'm taking Hopkins to win this by decision...(if he can get the nod in Canada). Hopkins regardless of his age is a defensive marvel. Pascal will attempt to use his speed to set an initial shot in order for him to have a chance at opening Hopkins up for flurries, he usually loads up when he attempts this. With a plan like this, Pascal's options are very limited, considering Hopkins will be hard to find with that 'all or nothing' approach. To fight a Hopkins one needs a very high boxing IQ, patience, or physical gifts that are off the charts. Hopkins will use intelligent movement, energy conservation (ie. holding) in avoiding Pascal, when he leans to his right he will effectively 'hide' from Pascal, maintaining his pace. I think Pascal will be countered when he attempts to flurry, and will be caught reaching. It will be imperative for Hopkins to get a degree of respect from Pascal at the beginning, and I believe he can, and will. Hopkins will be a step ahead all night, and when Pascal rushes in to catch up, he gets picked off.
At 46 y/o maybe time does finally run out...But I think these tactics will work for Bernard. Let's see if he gets a decision for beating Pascal.

 

Hopkins looked older in his last 2 to me so I don't know. His need to cheat (well he always did) has become sickening. Hopkins is the king of spoiling and I've been a fan of his ring craft but his recent cynical match making, spoiling and has annoyed me. Am I being sadistic hoping he gets firmly beat into retirement?

 

A couple of years ago I would have favoured Hopkins to win, but this time I fancy that his age is going to catch up with him at the wrong moment.

Thats how I am calling it and if he proves me wrong i will be the first to admit it.

 

If i didn't think Pscal was mediocre, then i might feel yeah, as Hopkins has only impessed against certain styles over the past few years.

There is just no accounting for being thoroughly mediocre however.I don't feel Pascal is the kind of fighter youy have to be good to beat.Just having a tough style for him to figure out and be a bit smarter may be enough.

 

I think you might be selling Pascal short somewhat.

I don't think he is anybodys fool.

 

Hopkins still has the technical skills to outbox a Jean Pascal, the question is whether his body can perform. This will answer some questions about Pascal as well, all he truly needs to do is go out there and pressure the older man consistently for 12 rounds, something he hasn't necessarily been able to do in the past.

At this stage, all the odds seem to be against Hopkins, fighting against the younger, stronger man in his hometown, but you can't ever count him out. Pascal is definitely beatable. I see these fights going much the way the Hopkins-Taylor series went, perhaps a more decisive win for Pascal. I'd be surprised if Hopkins gets completely dominated though, he just has that much more craft than most young boxers around today. Then again he is bound to lose it some day, let's hope he retires before then.

 

I agree,

 

Watching Jean Pascal against journeyman Omar Pittman on Friday Night Fights a couple of years ago, I never thought I'd be picking him against Hopkins, but it has happened.