Dawson-Hopkins II: Will Bernard come up with another injury that will stop the fight?
January 28th, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: On April 28th, the 47-year-old WBC light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO’s) will be fighting Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO’s) in a rematch at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
There are Hopkins fans out there that are convinced with their entire soul that Hopkins would have beaten Dawson had he not injured his shoulder, and I just can’t see it. It was only two rounds of action but there was nothing in Hopkins’ performance that suggested that he was going to be able to take the fight to the younger Dawson to pull out a decision or a stoppage.
It looked to me like Hopkins was going to get schooled and schooled badly by Dawson in that fight. I saw the injury as a way out for Hopkins in that fight, and I suspect we see Hopkins come up with another injury if things start to fall apart for him like I think it will. Hopkins doesn’t have a great outside game like Dawson, and he’s facing a much faster guy with better size.
Hopkins will try to bring the fight to the inside like he usually does against his opposition, but Dawson is so strong and quick that he’s not going to permit Hopkins to do that with him. He’s going to bounce around and keep the older man on the outside where Hopkins will be pretty helpless.
I still think the judges will give Hopkins a certain amount of rounds out of respect for him and because he’s arguably more popular fighter. Judges unfortunately seem to lean in the direction of the more established fighters when judging fights, which is kind of sad. But for this reason Dawson is going to have to really take the fight to Hopkins and make sure that the judges aren’t able to give Hopkins a close win in fight where he gets dominated.
Tags: 8 Responses to “Dawson-Hopkins II: Will Bernard come up with another injury that will stop the fight?”
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Im tired of hearing Hopkins praise himself and his acomplihments in a relatively speaking, short work history. Rather Id like to hear his comments on the greatest Chinese boxers that hes ever seen and admires. Freakin Idiot.
Dawson has to come in at least as aggressive as he was the first fight, if not more so. Just don’t sling the old geezer across the ring again. A tough body attack will probably do the trick. If Dawson stays busy like that for 12, he wins. Otherwise… another boooooorrrriiiinnngg B-Hop decision.
Yep, it wouldn’t be surprising if Hopkins comes up with yet another injury. but still it’s less likely I guess.
I think Dawson wins this. If Dawson focuses on bodywork, it’ll be easy. If he head hunts, it’ll be close on the cards after 12 rounds.
the outcome of the fight is not easy to predict. I am avoiding to say that who is going to win but you can quote me later that if Hopkins will only box with Chad chances of his win are very slim.chad got good skills and he is strong and young he can be more active, can give more moment and pace to Hopkins and can punch; therefore Hopkins have to play strong, smart fight; a boxer puncher fight.
I think he will let Dawson know that old warrior is not intimidated.
The old wiley vet has already gotten a chance for another payday!! Now he will deal with Dawson!!
Dan, you suck. B-Hop has never ducked anyone — Joe C, Jermain Taylor, Tarver, Trinidad, and recently fought a dangerous young lion in Pascal, twice. To now claim, he faked an injury is ludicrous and an insult to one of our old warriors. Please give B-Hop the benefit of the doubt that was truly hurt. After all he wanted to continue the fight only to have the ref stop it.
Dawson will lose the rematch for sure