Kessler vs HOF's

Ah, you got to it first, it seems. I should be caught up by Page 3.

 

All good points as well

 

Well said.

 

Hopkins is lazy? You're one of the worst posters I've encountered.

 

Yes, I gave what I think would happen also, I never said Kessler was a 'dead certainty' over anybody. Hagler does seem like a pretty good target for Kessler at 168, I have seen him have struggles with lesser fighters than Kessler.

In regards to Hopkins, I feel he'd be controlled by Kessler's jab and that the pace would dictate the decision. Kessler is not just a 1-2 fighter, he's got a good style to trouble Hopkins, whom is an inside fighter at his best and lacks the speed and ferocity to control this type of of stylistic pace.

 

I'm with you on that.

 

Hmm... you're talking about a prime Hopkins? I don't think Kessler can control the pace against a prime Hopkins. I would see it the other way around. Despite what most believe, I had the Hopkins - Jones matchup as a close (albeit clear) fight, so I don't see any of Kessler's speed being a worry for Hopkins.

 

And Jones is a totally different style then a guy who throws nearly 80 punches a round consistently. Don't get me wrong, you CANNOT compare anybody to a peak Jones, but different styles make different fights.

A prime Hopkins could be troubled. I mean no disrespect, but ATG's get romanticised to the point where people think that only other ATG's can defeat them. Kessler could very well be a future ATG, he surely has a nasty style for Hopkins though.

And in regards to Kessler/Hopkins now. Well, look at Taylor/Hopkins, close fight. Kessler is probably 3 steps up from Taylor technically and throws a lot more punches on a more accurate level, he's also much more powerful. Wide Kessler UD. Bernard's an old man and the Winky fight has little relevance to a Kess/Hopkins showdown right now.

 

I'm not romanticizing Hopkins though. I just think a prime Hopkins does some serious damage to Kessler. I think we just don't agree how their styles would match up. I don't see anyone controlling a prime Hopkins with a jab.

Kessler would definitely have a much greater chance against a Hopkins of today, as I saw definite signs of aging in his fight against Wright. Just some moves he made looked a bit lumbering.

 

Aye, but it was Jones' fleetfootedness that gave him the edge against Hopkins. Notice points in the fight where Hopkins was trying to hold onto Jones physically to pin him against the ropes or anywhere he could. Jones did everything he could to break free, and wasn't there sometimes when Hopkins was moving inside. Kessler doesn't have that ability, to my eyes. Hopkins would be coming forward with his deft head movement and slipping Kessler's shots. Once on the inside, Hopkins gets his work done.

 

Yes, Hopkins being ranked top 3 P4P just for defeating Wright at 170 is absolutely ABSURD at this point. He retired as well, officially after Tarver and decided to come back, which means that Wright/Hopkins should not have been for the LHW ring belt.

Even then, for me, Hopkins is not the true LHW champ at the moment, he beat Tarver last year and retired, only to pick up against Wright. If he wants to be a real LHW, fight a real ****ing LHW who is in his prime and hungry to become the top class.

 

I would love to see him against Dawson. That would answer any lingering questions. Still, though, he's getting an old and I wouldn't be altogether disappointed to see him retire, just since at this age he's bound to come up short, and in a big way eventually against a lesser, prime fighter.

I am glad he and Wright fought, because I knew Hopkins could beat him even at this advanced stage. I needed it to happen so people could stop saying Wright's defense is too good for Hopkins - which I knew to be completely false.

Edit: Also, yes, if he's going to be campaigning as a Light Heavyweight, let him take on Light Heavyweight challengers.

 

Just trying too get some air out of your argumentation about the textbook style as being secondary to other styles....

Lennox Lewis was pretty textbook.
Wlad & Vitaly are both pretty textbook.
Larry Holmes was textbook.
ODLH is textbook.
ETC.

Why did these guys have a boxing career at all? Based on your argumentation they wouldnt stand a chance against an awkward fighter.:huh


Textbook fighters are just as good as awkward fighters(fighters that have grown bigger than textbook:nut ) - it all comes down too other things such as versatility, intelligence, stamina, footwork, strenght, chin etc.

 

This is the best thing you have ever written concerning Kessler. You are definately getting better. March on....

 

I thought that style was king?

Ill rest my case. Point proven.

Kessler has a killer jab, the best 1-2 in the game, good pop in either hand and a solid left hook. Also - noone has been able to catch Kessler even if hes as pisspoor defensively as you claim.

Besides that, he is a very intelligent fighter with good quality written all over him.