By Dan Ambrose: 47-year-old Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO’s) has reportedly decided to take the silent approach to his rematch with Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO’s) on April 28th at the Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Hopkins says he’s not going to trash talk for the rematch for some reason.
It could be because it will lighten the pressure he puts on himself for this one after putting in a disappointing performance last October in their first fight. Hopkins injured his left shoulder after missing a punch and following off Dawson’s back when the younger fighter lifted Hopkins up.
Hopkins is probably better off keeping silent for the rematch because it could make him look really bad if he sets up unrealistic expectations for himself by saying he’s going to beat Dawson, but then he goes and stinks up the place. Hopkins looked old in the Dawson fight last year and nothing will change in the rematch. Hopkins will still be 47 and he’s not getting any younger. Dawson is faster, stronger and the better fighter defensively. Hopkins is a good inside fighter but that’s meaningless against Dawson because he’s too strong to let Hopkins maul him or force him to fight inside.
Hopkins didn’t have the size advantage against Dawson last time out and he looked uncomfortable with Dawson’s reach. Additionally, Dawson’s counter punching ability seemed to be giving Hopkins problems and it likely would have gotten much worse for Hopkins as the fight wore on. Hopkins’ best strategy to win in the last few years is to get off first with his shots and then dominate on the inside with a wrestling/punching inside game. However, that probably had little chance of success against Dawson because of his quick reflexes. Hopkins would have had fits trying to land his first shot and he’d be collapsing inward to try and clinch but likely would have been out-maneuvered by Dawson with his quick feet. Even if Hopkins could grab Dawson in a clinch, Hopkins would have had little luck in keeping him immobilized for long term wrestling and in fighting because Dawson doesn’t allow himself to be held in place for inside fighters.
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