Dawson vs. Hopkins: Chad looking to knock Bernard off the top of the hill

By Boxing News - 09/22/2011 - Comments

Image: Dawson vs. Hopkins: Chad looking to knock Bernard off the top of the hillBy Dan Ambrose: It seems like Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO’s) has been considered to be the best fighter in the light heavyweight division. He’s beaten a number of the top fighters in or near the division yet he’s never chosen to fight two-time former light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO’s) until now after Dawson was beaten by Jean Pascal last year in an upset loss.

Hopkins and Dawson will fight it out for Hopkins’ World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight title on October 15th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Dawson will get his chance to finally knock Hopkins off the top of the ant hill, and claim the honor of being considered the best fighter in the light heavyweight division.

Dawson will still have to beat Pascal in a rematch and knock off IBF champion Tavoris Cloud and WBA champ Beibut Shumenov because he’s considered to be the best fighter in the division by virtually all boxing fans. However, a win over Hopkins will do the trick of pretty much making Dawson the the best fighter in the division.

Right now, The Ring ranks Hopkins at #1, Pascal #2, Cloud #3 and Dawson #4. A win for Dawson will shoot him up to at least the No.2 spot just behind Pascal. However, that’s easily a very winnable fight for Dawson against Pascal, provided that Dawson takes the fight in the United States and not in Pascal’s adopted country of Canada.

If Dawson fights Pascal in Canada, I can see something controversial happening like another headbutt with a lightning quick stoppage before Dawson’s corner has time to work on the cut or decision that goes Pacal’s way despite Dawson dominating. If he fights Pascal in Canada then Dawson is asking for trouble in my view.

But first Dawson has to get by Hopkins. The way to do that is to throw a lot of punches and keep from letting Hopkins dive forward with his hit and grab routine. You can’t let Hopkins get in on you because once he falls into you, it’s like peeling off glue. Dawson will use up too much energy trying to get Hopkins to let go of him so that he can have punching room. This is why Dawson has to side step Hopkins when he lunges forward and bang him with some body shots before he gets to grab and wrestle.



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