By John F. McKenna (McJack): Challenger “Bad” Chad Dawson (30-1-1 NC, 17 KO’s) believes what he saw in his first fight last October with WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titlist Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2-2 NC, 32 KO’s) was a scared old man. Dawson also believes that the 47 year old champion did not want to be in the ring with him and that his ring demeanor exhibited that.

Hopkins has accumulated vast experience in the ring and with that knows every trick of the trade. In some respects “The Executioner” can be compared to an aging major league pitcher who, after losing his blazing fast ball, must resort to throwing “junk” to remain competitive and active.

For Hopkins it has all worked very well, allowing him to get inside of the head of former titlist Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KO’s). Hopkins became the oldest champion in any division in the history of boxing when he took Pascal’s WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles in May 2011. Hopkins pulled out all the stops in winning a unanimous 12 round decision over Pascal.

Bernard in effect, took Pascal to school in the contest. As the fight wore on it was evident that Pascal was becoming more and more frustrated. At one point Hopkins began doing push ups in the ring at the start of the round. The message was clear to everyone especially Pascal. Bernard was having a good time cruising to victory over Pascal without having to break a sweat. Pascal seemed to be defenseless as the ageless wonder in the form of Bernard Hopkins wove his magic.

Last October, try as he might Hopkins was not able to intimidate Dawson. In fact “Bad” Chad is of the opinion that through his not allowing Bernard to get inside his head, Hopkins himself was the one who was intimidated. Let’s face it, again using the terminology of a big league pitcher, when you throw your best stuff and all of a sudden it does not work, it gives you pause to wonder whether or not you have lost it.

When Hopkins came out to throw a right hand and wound up being deposited on top of Dawson, Chad wasn’t having any of it and physically threw Bernard to the canvas. It was at that point that Hopkins suffered the dislocated shoulder. And while Hopkins was in fact injured, there are many boxing observers who feel that after sampling Chad’s power that Bernard was looking for a way out.

Saturday night should demonstrate to boxing fans whether or not the time has come as Kennedy said in his inaugural address in 1961 for “the torch to be passed to a new generation.” It is my hunch that when Dawson engages Hopkins at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night Chad will prevail and win a clear cut unanimous decision.