Maidana wins tonight, Hopkins wins next week.

Pascal doesn't have anywhere near Calzaghe's work-rate though, let alone Calzaghe's overall class as a fighter. Also, let's not forget that Calzaghe got dropped early, lost the first 3 or 4 rounds at least, and had to adapt. And he's one of the most adaptable fighters in the game.

Pascal is not; he never adapted against Froch when he was getting drawn into a very even brawl but got out-boxed everywhere else with the long-jab. He never really had to adapt against Diaconu, nor did he ever have to alter his gameplan against Dawson.

The important thing about Hopkins aswell is that he's obviously a master of shutting down his opponents strengths, hence making them look bad. If Pascal looks bad, I think he's less inclined to be gifted rounds by Hopkins. That said, I'd hope anything over 7-5 would get Hopkins the decision. I genuinely think he's capable of taking 8 rounds at least in this fight. And can Pascal really flurry his way to winning 6 or 7 rounds when he's not adaptable? Hopkins is one of if not the smartest fighter in the game, I'd hope that he would figure Pascal out and shut that possibility down.

 

I'm totally in agreement that Pascal is not in Calzaghe's class, nor does have have the same style with the work-rate, I simply don't believe he needs it. Even if Hopkins teaches him lessons he won't be able to grasp, I just don't believe he will have enough in the tank over the course of a fight to take enough clear rounds on the cards, especially considering the location. BHOP has a masterclass ring IQ, this I know, but it just seems like the deck is too stacked against him. Pascal is no Calzaghe...but he's no Pavlik either.

 

Khan wins tonight...He will protect the chin, while outboxing Maidana for a wide UD...

 

I see both losing.

For Hopkins to beat Pascal will be an unbelievable accomplishment.

 

Pascal doesn't have to adapt ,his corner will do it for him! he just need to listen to his corner what he didn't do agains't Froch and Diaconu!

 

Part of being adaptable is listening to your corner. The point is, I don't think Pascal has much of a plan B going into this fight, and I believe Hopkins will eventually figure him out and shut-down his strengths.

 

I have Showtime but am not going to waste my time watching a Hopkins fight. He is like a mini John Ruiz way too much holding, grabbing, clinching and throwing 1 punch at a time for me. Boring fighter.

 

Solid chin though right :deal

 

You're so wrong you have no idea. Pascal has evolved a lot since the Froch fight, and he didn't have to adapt against Diaconu or Dawson because his game plans where perfect. But it's not because your opponents don't adapt that you can't adapt. Marc Ramsay is a VERY underated trainer. Pascal will have a plan A, a plan B, a plan C and probably a plan D, maybe using several of them in the bout. You heard it here.:smoke

 

He could get away with a plan A against Diaconu. He shouldn't have been able to against Dawson but he did. I still maintain that Dawson wasn't right in that right and would beat him in a rematch.

I'd like to see him find a plan B if he can't beat Hopkins on the outside like he did with Dawson, merely staying out of range and coming in throwing the occasional combination or counter-shot and moving back out of range again.

 

i disagree. B-hop will most certainly neutralize this unimpressive wild swinger. B-hop by decision.

 

I think Hopkins wins. I think Khan is rightfully favored. If he makes one mistake Maidana takes his head off though.