Kelly Pavlik V Bernard Hopkins

It always strikes me as odd that every good fighter from 147 up beats Pavlik in this forum; except of course the guys Kelly actually fights.

 

Kelly wins a UD.

Tarver is a southpaw for one. Tarver also is most comfortable fighting cautiously. He's not really a go getter. His style is actually pretty boring as he likes to wait for his opponent to come to him.

Hopkins took him out of his gameplan though. Tarver probably had confidence considering Hopkins wasn't known as a big puncher and he was coming up from middleweight.

Two, Hopkins isn't gonna KO Kelly. Even if he stuns him, he doesn't have the gas to follow through with a KO.

Three, Kelly's workrate will be too much for an OLD Hopkins. Expect Hopkins to pull another ***** move and for Pavlik to win by UD.

Some people just don't think about their answers.

 

Prime Hopkins would break him down pretty well.

But Pavlik IMO is still improving. He has a long way to go. Additionally, he uses what are pretty much basic skills to systematically break guys down with his extremely accurate, hard punches.

 

Hopkins

 

I'm not too sure of the outcome, but I could see BHop landing that right hand with ease.

 

Kelly Pavlik by late round raping.

 

Pavlik is the worst possible style for Hopkins at this point in his career. Hopkins is no taller or rangier than Pavlik, and doesn't punch harder. He also doesn't have as much power and doesn't throw very many punches at all.

Hopkins is going to use his legs and angles to move away from Pavlik who will keep coming and pressing the fight, using his jab to set up his shots.

Hopkins is an old man. He couldn't even run away from Calzaghe for the entire match without pulling a ***** move and taking a 5 minute break.

Hopkins may not get put down, but Pavlik's straight punches, power, and constant pressure are going to be a nightmare for Hopkins.

Hopkins is just too old. This would be his worst possible opponent.

 

at the thought of Hopkins fighting Pavlik at 175lbs.

Hopkins is a natural 175lber by his own admission, he was only down at 160 for money. While he was down there his biggest wins came against Delahoya and Tito, 2 guys that primed out at lower weights. Now that he has finally moved up to where he belongs he is still fighting smaller guys....Winky, Calzaghe and maybe Pavlik.

Pavlik would beat him bad though.

 

If they fought right now, it would be Pavlik by close UD. Hopkins just doesn't throw enough punches anymore to take a decision against a high work rate fighter. Neither fighter would be seriously hurt by the other.

Prime vs. Prime is a lot harder to judge simply because Pavlik is not even in his prime by my estimation. Pavlik still needs the experience of another 3-4 fights at the highest level before he is in his prime. I'm kind of torn as to who would win in their prime though. I was leaning towards Hopkins with his counter punching ability and old school tricks fooling Pavlik for a UD. BUT, I also have to consider the fact that Hopkins made a career at middleweight of beating up on naturally smaller men. He almost always had a height and reach advantage. He was also naturally bigger, because he is really a light heavy that runs 4-5 miles a day whether in training or not. His own trainer has said he knew that Hopkins should have been a light heavy, except for his incredible work ethic to keep his weight down.

In reality Jermaine Taylor was the first quality large middleweight Hopkins had fought in years, which played in a large part to his low work rate against Taylor. It wasn't just age. Pavlik is obviously even bigger than Taylor, and that would play a huge part in the matchup. It's really too close to call, but if I had to, I would say Pavlik by MD. Due to his higher work rate and being able to keep the fight at the distance he wants, not Bernards.

 

There's a good chance Hopkins would stop Pavlik, or atleast put him on the canvas, but if he didn't stop him, the judges would probably give it to Pavlik based on the fact that Bernard was clinching and moving backwards, even though Pavlik was hitting air most of the fight.

 

Hopkins has stated though he doesn't intend to fight any young guys, if he even fights again.

 

Hopkins by ud ! It will look like the Tarver fight .kellyks streight forward style would be easy pickens for the executioner !!!


Anyone thinks pavlik stops hopkins , shoud never watch boxing again !

 

Not even close! Hopkins couldn't even fight a full 12 against a slap happy Calzaghe. Pavlik will wear him down even quicker, and this time Hopkins won't get a 5 minute breather for a FAKE low blow! I love it, the dirtiest fighter in the sport faking a low blow to regain his breathe.

 

Yeah, because Pavlik is an old southpaw who's style is to wait for opponents to come to him, just like Tarver is.