Will Bernard Hopkins make Bute look like the “Canadian Kelly Pavlik”?
April 18th, 2010
By Jason Kim: After last night’s impressive 3rd round TKO win for International Boxing Federation super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (26-0, 21 KO’s) over Edison Miranda (33-5, 29 KO’s), Bute mentioned 45-year-old Bernard Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KO’s) as one of his potential next opponents to face. Hopkins has made it known that he’d be interested in fighting the 30-year-old Bute. Hopkins is coming off of a 12 round unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. on April 3rd, a fight which Hopkins didn’t exactly impress.
“If he [Bute] takes care of business against Edison Miranda, which he should, I’ll help him get a legend on his record and based on how I win that fight, he’ll help me create a Canadian Kelly Pavlik.” Hopkins, as many people already know, dominated Pavlik, beating him by a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision in October 2008.
Hopkins now wants to fight Bute so he can make Bute as bad as he made Pavlik look in beating him two years ago. This would be an interesting fight for boxing fans. Hopkins is still one of the best fighters in all of the sport and very clever. Whatever he’s lost in the way of physical skills, he’s more than made up with ring smarts. If there’s anyone in boxing that can beat Bute, it might be Hopkins. He doesn’t show interest in fighting someone unless he’s absolutely certain he can beat them.
Hopkins obviously has spotted some flaws with Bute and figures he can exploit them in a match. Right now, Bute is considered to be the best fighter in the super middleweight division and is ranked number #1 by The Ring. Hopkins, for his part, was the best middleweight in the division for a 10 year period from 1995 to 2005. Hopkins has moved up to light heavyweight, but he’s still considered by many to be the number #1 fighter at that weight class.
Bute has taken out his last three opponents – Fulgencio Zuniga, Librado Andrade and Miranda – and seems to be getting stronger as his career progresses. Strange as it may seem, Bute is becoming something of a puncher now that he’s hit 30. However, Hopkins has an excellent chin and can take any kind of punishment without going down. The shots that Bute has been taking opponents out lately, they’d likely have to effect on Hopkins.
Bute could find himself deep in the fight having to fight while he’s tired like he did in his controversial 12 round decision over Andrade in their first fight in 2008. Bute was dropped in that fight and barely beat the count to get the win. Hopkins will probably be still fighting hard late in the bout and could land something big enough to take Bute out. I don’t see Bute being able to hurt Hopkins. This would mean that Bute would have to find a way to beat Hopkins by decision. Given that Hopkins is good at smothering his opponents’ offense, it’s very possible that Hopkins could shut Bute down as well and beat him by a decision or possibly a knockout if Bute gets tired late in the fight.
Tags: 34 Responses to “Will Bernard Hopkins make Bute look like the “Canadian Kelly Pavlik”?”
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I WISH BUTE WOULD SMASH THIS FOSIL AND LEARN HIM SOME SEL-RESPECT A MAN WHO IS SOON 45 AND A MILJONAR TIMES OVER SHOULD KNOW IT IS TIME TO GO.
B-Hop just retire now or get retired by Bute or Sakio Bika the IBF Champion eveyone is running from even L.Bute would fight him.
BH is really on the decline. The Pavlik fight was great, but even in his next fight he was getting tagged by Ornelas. He should hang them up while he’s ahead – would be sad to see such a great fighter get beat up.
Hopkins is likely a smart move for Bute. Instant world wide recognition against an aged fighter while waiting for the super six winner.
this would not suprise me as he looked awful against calzaghe, then was in a different league against pavlik, and then awful against jones, he’s been around for ages and knows how to fool people to thinking he’s had it,
Bhop is a very young 46!To underestimate Bhop is for ANY fighter a stupid move!
That man will give ANYONE around his weight problems,he is a master of fighting ugly!
BTW to the author… What are you thinking ??? Hopkins beat Bute late? When was the last time Hopkins fought hard in a fight early OR Late?
Bute beats hopkins but doesnt have 1 punch devcistating power.
Cloud ?? thats the guy that would ko Hopkins. Cloud has the 1 punch power so Hopkins couldnt get up , rest , complain of foul punches ect And Has the upper body strenth to push off Hopkins so Hopkins couldnt clutch all night.
On the title subject … Bute is the genuine article. You can see ….home cooking … on a international level for the reason Bute wasnt picked for the super 6 tournament. America is still getting used to sharing the market Dollars with Europe in Boxing neither side wants to Canada get its foot in the door.
At one time if you wernt American Boxing commitions flat ignored a fighter no matter how good they where unless he was from the USA.
Then Lennox Lewis came along and UK fighters got a shot at a title
Next where the Klitsckos , then Soviet fighters got a shot a title. it only takes one popular fighter to open the doors for a country .
I’m feed up reading how Bute will be knocked down late in a fight. He could finish Hopkins in less than 8 rounds!
Bravo Bute!
Hopkins has earned his place in the hall of fame but is now just a shell of his former self. The craftyness people speak of is all aimed at not getting koed and going the distance.
His survival tactics are the best ive ever seen but Hopkins is starting to get hit with clean shots even in his duck/lunge/cover and clutch mode.Hence the new tactic of imaginary low blows, rabbit punches ect comes into play as soon as he gets hit or needs a rest . In shrt .. never count on HHopkins being koed/dominated >Hopkins name is TOO big for a ref to MAKE fight now that Mecante is gone and Smoger is going into semi retirement .
@Ukansandof……Thats it in a nutshell. big risk little reward.
Bute beats Bhop easy. I think Bute will stop him. Hes like Calzaghe in some ways buy can punch. Bhop has gotten old. That bs he did wit Roy was horrible.. Plus he dont throw enuff punches. Any young fighter wit movement will beat Bhop. Ademek, Dawson and Green fights got turned down by Bhop.
People talk about Hopkins like the man is a peace of sh*t; Until I see Hopkins get dominated in a fight I have to always give him a shot against who ever he chooses to fight.
Bute will win by KO, stop talking about the first fight agains Andrate, he was very sick few days before and if he is not in the super 6 tournement its because he say no, he want a rematch with Andrate before do anything else (also hbo was interested to him so good $$$). I know is trainer so belive me. Bute is not far from pacquiao & mayweather for the best pound for pound maybe no. 5 in my list.
Wait 3-4 other fight and will talk again.
I love b hop and hate to doubt him and get proven wrong again but hell no bite or haye is just a step too far bute unlike pavlik has beutiful boxing skills quick feet fast hands and a bag full of diffrent punches which he showed in the Miranda fight b hop really should quit while he’s ahead and fight an easier fight for his last like anthony mundine or hyped up Danny green . And pavik needs dancing Lessons he look like an amteur out there even tho I really like him as a person he needs to improve boxing wise and get a real trainer
Put a fork in OL POPKINS!!!
No idea why Miranda took this fight, he was never that amazing at Middleweight!
He should go back down.
Bute isnt Pavlik, and Bhop would have more trouble with him.
Pavlik hasnt looked good in a while, although he lost the other night, atleast he showed some determination.
Bhop would win via split decision – maybe a controversial one.
Bute is the bottom of all scavengers if he wants to fight Hopkins.
Bute fight Dawson you canadian chicken.
WARNING: To ALL young championship calibre fighters, AVOID Bhop at ALL COSTS!!!
I dont know why anybody would want to even mention Hopkins name as a future opponant.
Hes gotta be THE riskiest fight fior minimal gain in the whole sport.
Your never guna look good beating him and if you do everybody points out Hopkins age. And theres always a fair chance you wont even beat him.
I never bet against Hopkins; this man continues to defy the odds, and even at 45 I wouldn’t be suprised if he beat Bute. Bute should just look to fight someone else, but stay away from the executor.
Bute is nothing like Pavlik. He is alot faster, if B-hop thinks his gameplan against Pavlik will work against Bute I think he will be sorely mistaken. He might give Bute a tough fight, but I think Hopkins needs to face reality eventually or he’s going to get knocked out.
@larame… what makes direll a chicken? because he beat the out of arthur a. and how can he fight anyone from the super six when they are already in a tournament. i think b hop would beat the brake shoes off of bute.
Basically, Miranda was looking good, fighting on equal terms with Bute. He made a stupid mistake playing the tough hombre sh*t like it’s a barfight with a homeless, and paid for it with a one-punch-KO. It’s not as if Bute landed at will on him or was winning the rounds before, let alone clearly.
b-hop is a legend respect the man who keeps up to par with the young fighters up to date!!!
Bute beats Hopkins easily.
dont know why bute is ranked number 1 so what he beat miranda hes already been knocked out twice and got a 12 round beating from ward, he is now a journeyman about time bute fought sum 1 in the class of froch abraham ward or direll but he hasnt because he will be brutally exsposed like he was against andrade in their first fight
At what weight will they fight?
Hopkins could make Super Middle (168) but I see him more comfortable with a non title catch weight like he did with Pavlik
yup!he fights opponents with no footwork… and still got K.O by andrade xD! he is the weakest Super Middle Weight!
B-hop is calling evrybody.. Xcept c.dawson.. I’m just wondring..
Why not fight the main man in his weight class!!
Fight Dawson Hopkins.
Bute would destroy bhop so badly, that it wouldnt be nice at his age. Retire already bhop!!
Bute should not fight BH their are better ways to make money like fighting Ward or Direll Bute will beat either on easily and would make a big pay day
Bute should not fight BH its a no win situtation for him the fight means nothing to BH unless the money is an offer he can’t refuse.BH is a rough tough old man whith whom anything goes, Bute stay away .. fight thoes guys in the super six and make some easy money ie ward . and the chicken Direll