Who do you think takes this if they fought early 2010 - i know its not gonna happen - but i think that JT still takes this. Now that there is a clear formula to beat him it might be easier for Hopkins but then again Bhop has never been a pressure fighter. What do all you boxing people think?
Hopkins as an old light heavy is better than he was as a weight drained middle at the end of his reign, so I say Hopkins takes it. He was competitive against Taylor throwing a dozen punches a round. He throws triple that or more at light heavy. Plus size and strength advantages. Im assuming its at a 170 catch weight.
You know, it's one of those style things, although the fights were so even that I can't say Taylor would've won a 3rd fight back at that time. And I think that was the only time Taylor could beat Hopkins or perform on a level to get the decision. Since then, Taylor was mostly disappointment and Hopkins just looked like a different fighter at LHW & 170. Hopkins was the weaker fighter in the Taylor fights and I can only think he was badly drained, because he was much fresher, stronger and durable vs. Tarver and Pavlik, two very different, but very dangerous fighters. So at 168-170, I'd say Hopkins beats him on points or applies a lot more pressure looking for vengeance by late KO (I'd say Taylor survives), at 175, Hopkins would be just too strong. I can definitely see Taylor having success early, but this time Hopkins would be the stronger fighter and that difference would turn the whole thing around.
JT is damaged goods to some extent now. He has lost that dog mentality that he had against Hopkins. He's been KOed twice. And yeah, there is the weight drain issue. Hopkins was not fighting at his ideal weight against JT. The 170-175 version of Hopkins is bigger, stronger and has more in the tank. Hopkins UD.
I say b-hop late ko...he came dangerously close to stopping pavlik, and he managed to floor both calzaghe and tarver, with taylors stamina problems(both at 160 & 168) I'm sure b-hop would apply the pressure. In the early rounds taylor would outbox b-hop, so b-hop would have to up the pressure to make up for the early rounds lost.
Jermain Taylor would beat Bernard Hopkins no matter what weight they were fighting at and no matter what age. Stylistically ... Hopkins doesn't match up well with Taylor ... its sad but thats how it is. Taylor is a bit too athletic for Hopkins and would be up for the challenge. He'll take a majority of the early and mid rounds (because Hopkins would start slow) and probably make it close down the stretch. Hopkins losses came from more athletic fighters ...
I don't think Taylor would be prepared to move up to 175lbs, so lets say it was at a catchweight of 170lbs, I still think Hopkins would win! I'm not trying to discredit Taylor's wins over B-Hop, he beat a great, great fighter, but Hopkins did struggle to make 160lbs for his last few defences! Only extreme discipline & dedication allowed to him to stay at MW for so long. That and wanting to hold the record number of defenses! Hopkins would beat Taylor this time around!
JT by decision. He's Bernards kryptonite in a way, Bernard does not finish fighters whilst behind. Taylor is an excellent boxer in the early goings, he'd pick off almost all of the first 8 rounds against Hopkins, then lose a few late ones.
I don't recall Hopkins ever being aggressive ... he's had this style for a large chunk of his championship career ... and Hopkins is 12-13 yrs older than Taylor ... Taylor started boxing Pro in 2000 so I don't know when this mythical young Hopkins is supposed to emerge. The thread states present day fighters ... the present day Jermain Taylor would beat the present day Hopkins ... he has Hopkins number ...
its a tough call, bernard hopkins definitely has taylor licked in the experience department, but in overall athleticism taylor has him licked. thats how he beat him the first tme, taylor beat him because of youth.