How It Will Look: Hopkins-Dawson II |
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| Written by Lee Wylie | |||
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Monday, 05 March 2012 23:12
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THE SETTING: And yet, they all share the same thing. The one commodity that nearly every great fighter has succumbed is defeat at the hands of Father Time. Some greats managed to elude the inevitable. Men like Rocky Marciano, Ricardo Lopez and Joe Calzaghe got out at just the right time, sensing his presence. But for the rest, they all face him and feel his wrath. He shows no remorse. He doesn't care for reputations. Physical gifts, speed and athleticism he renders useless. All, really, are helpless against the clock. He catches up with other athletes, in other sports too, but boxing is where he is most unforgiving, leaving champions motionless in the ring's centre, gazing up at the lights. Joe Louis and Roy Jones Jr. can testify to that. He is the one sure thing in boxing. As of late, Bernard Hopkins has found himself to be the victim of severe criticism regarding the bizarre ending which occurred in his first fight with Dawson. Barely into the second round, Bernard threw a straight right hand that was slipped by Dawson. With Hopkins on top of Dawson's back, the challenger thought fit to throw the champion to the ground. With Hopkins unable to continue, due to what was later discovered to be a dislocated shoulder, Dawson was awarded the TKO victory, despite the fact a punch did not end the fight, and he was declared the new champion. Many people, fans and critics alike, thought Hopkins made the most of his tumble and was faking it. Bernard Hopkins is 47 years old! Let's try and put that into perspective. - Bernard is fourteen years older than Joe Louis was when he was rendered unconscious by Rocky Marciano. These fighters, all great, were considered way past their primes when they lost said fights - which have all but been forgotten about when looking back on their careers. Even more astonishing is the fact that Bernard knocked out a fighter who at the time was perceived to be the best fighter in the world in Felix Trinidad, whilst being one full year older than Erik Morales is right now. Bernard Hopkins is 12 years Morales' senior by the way. What should NOT be deemed unimportant though, is Chad Dawson's stylistic problems that are a tough nights work for any fighter at any age. Bernard Hopkins included. Defensively, Dawson is one of boxing's best. Employing a tight defensive guard, he is capable of rolling with punches and countering straight back. Despite his height, Dawson also likes to bend at the waist and drop low when evading punches, making him very tough to hit clean. The second Glen Johnson fight is a great indication as to just how good Chad Dawson can be. Talent alone however, is not always enough and there have been occasions in the past when Dawson has looked disinterested and lethargic. Certain food for thought for his next opponent. Despite having no amateur background, Bernard's fundamentals are flawless. Hopkins may not be as slick as Dawson, but he is still considered a defensive master. Bernard is rarely hit with a clean shot, such is his dedication to "protecting himself at all times". Bernard's right hand is perfectly poised near his chin, which in turn is tucked into the top of his chest. It is no coincidence then, that Bernard Hopkins has never been in trouble or hurt inside the ring. In his last full outing, Bernard probably put in his most aesthetically pleasing performance to date, fighting a young man's fight to outwork the younger, more athletically gifted Jean Pascal on way to becoming the oldest man in boxing history to ever win a word title. The problem with Pascal is he is a one dimensional fighter, he needs time and distance in order to explode in with his combinations. Bernard did not offer Pascal the same luxury Dawson did. Dawson gave Pascal too much distance between them. Although Dawson, a smart fighter, looked like he had made an adjustment late in the fight, it was too late as a cut sent the fight to the scorecards where Pascal's earlier work gave him the decision win. Just one problem. If indeed Chad Dawson is victorious, we must remind ourselves of a 47-year old fighter, who has just fought the best fighter in his division. We must remind ourselves of a man who was winning world titles whilst his recent opponents were barely toilet trained. We must remind ourselves of Bernard Hopkins, Father Time's toughest opponent to date. brownsugar says:
Oh yes,... it's gonna happen, and when it does, it doesn't mean BHop was never any good or even great, it just means that BHop wasn't able to envelope Dawson in his stress inducing mindgames...(and plus the fact that age does deliver the ultimate body shot) Dawson has wanted this fight for years now but BHop has been mute to the invitation...and deaf to the challenge, but After he saw Dawson lose to (in my opinion, a lesser boxer) Pascal, BHop felt he could exploit what the boxing community has deemed to be a lack of focus on Dawsons behalf, he was labeled a fighter that suffers from low fortitude(there's no vitamins that can fix that)and bad self-esteem,.... a fighter who had become so enstranged and aloof to the pro ranks, he forgot how to fight and act like a figher... brownsugar says:
Oh yes,... it's gonna happen, and when it does, it doesn't mean BHop was never any good or even great, it just means that BHop wasn't able to envelope Dawson in his stress inducing mindgames...(and plus the fact that age does deliver the ultimate body shot) Dawson has wanted this fight for years now but BHop has been mute to the invitation...and deaf to the challenge, but After he saw Dawson lose to (in my opinion, a lesser boxer) Pascal, BHop felt he could exploit what the boxing community has deemed to be a lack of focus on Dawsons behalf, he was labeled a fighter that suffers from low fortitude(there's no vitamins that can fix that)and bad self-esteem,.... a fighter who had become so enstranged and aloof to the pro ranks, he forgot how to fight and act like a figher... brownsugar says:
Oh yes,... it's gonna happen, and when it does, it doesn't mean BHop was never any good or even great, it just means that BHop wasn't able to envelope Dawson in his stress inducing mindgames...(and plus the fact that age does deliver the ultimate body shot) Dawson has wanted this fight for years now but BHop has been mute to the invitation...and deaf to the challenge, but After he saw Dawson lose to (in my opinion, a lesser boxer) Pascal, BHop felt he could exploit what the boxing community has deemed to be a lack of focus on Dawsons behalf, he was labeled a fighter that suffers from low fortitude(there's no vitamins that can fix that)and bad self-esteem,.... a fighter who had become so enstranged and aloof to the pro ranks, he forgot how to fight and act like a figher... brownsugar says:
Oh yes,... it's gonna happen, and when it does, it doesn't mean BHop was never any good or even great, it just means that BHop wasn't able to envelope Dawson in his stress inducing mindgames...(and plus the fact that age does deliver the ultimate body shot) Dawson has wanted this fight for years now but BHop has been mute to the invitation...and deaf to the challenge, but After he saw Dawson lose to (in my opinion, a lesser boxer) Pascal, BHop felt he could exploit what the boxing community has deemed to be a lack of focus on Dawsons behalf, he was labeled a fighter that suffers from low fortitude(there's no vitamins that can fix that)and bad self-esteem,.... a fighter who had become so enstranged and aloof to the pro ranks, he forgot how to fight and act like a figher... brownsugar says:
Oh yes,... it's gonna happen, and when it does, it doesn't mean BHop was never any good or even great, it just means that BHop wasn't able to envelope Dawson in his stress inducing mindgames...(and plus the fact that age does deliver the ultimate body shot) Dawson has wanted this fight for years now but BHop has been mute to the invitation...and deaf to the challenge, but After he saw Dawson lose to (in my opinion, a lesser boxer) Pascal, BHop felt he could exploit what the boxing community has deemed to be a lack of focus on Dawsons behalf, he was labeled a fighter that suffers from low fortitude(there's no vitamins that can fix that)and bad self-esteem,.... a fighter who had become so enstranged and aloof to the pro ranks, he forgot how to fight and act like a figher... brownsugar says:
Oh yes,... it's gonna happen, and when it does, it doesn't mean BHop was never any good or even great, it just means that BHop wasn't able to envelope Dawson in his stress inducing mindgames...(and plus the fact that age does deliver the ultimate body shot) Dawson has wanted this fight for years now but BHop has been mute to the invitation...and deaf to the challenge, but After he saw Dawson lose to (in my opinion, a lesser boxer) Pascal, BHop felt he could exploit what the boxing community has deemed to be a lack of focus on Dawsons behalf, he was labeled a fighter that suffers from low fortitude(there's no vitamins that can fix that)and bad self-esteem,.... a fighter who had become so enstranged and aloof to the pro ranks, he forgot how to fight and act like a figher... brownsugar says:
Oh yes,... it's gonna happen, and when it does, it doesn't mean BHop was never any good or even great, it just means that BHop wasn't able to envelope Dawson in his stress inducing mindgames...(and plus the fact that age does deliver the ultimate body shot) Dawson has wanted this fight for years now but BHop has been mute to the invitation...and deaf to the challenge, but After he saw Dawson lose to (in my opinion, a lesser boxer) Pascal, BHop felt he could exploit what the boxing community has deemed to be a lack of focus on Dawsons behalf, he was labeled a fighter that suffers from low fortitude(there's no vitamins that can fix that)and bad self-esteem,.... a fighter who had become so enstranged and aloof to the pro ranks, he forgot how to fight and act like a figher... ali says:
Amen B- Sug.. donputo69 says: I just hope Dawson finish grandpa off....Im tired of Hopkins....Hes so damn boring....He was never good...Trinidad made his old a$$ famous....I say Dawson in 8....Holla back ladies!!! Radam G says: It will look sloppy for Bad Chad and ugly for B-Hop. Holla! deepwater says: john scully could still knock out chad if he wanted to Reinoso says: Bhop should beat time once again he has the tools to do it and he also wants to prove himself and history; to the world...will see get your chocolate popcorn ready,saluts to you!!!! CARTAGENA says: It would look better if it was FREE its gonna look horrible we are gonna see an old man who for some reason thinks he belongs in the ring with these young guys get destroyed. I really hope Dawson trained seriously BHop shouldn't pass the 4th round. Retire his *** Chad. Tags:
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Oh yes,... it's gonna happen, and when it does, it doesn't mean BHop was never any good or even great, it just means that BHop wasn't able to envelope Dawson in his stress inducing mindgames...(and plus the fact that age does deliver the ultimate body shot) Dawson has wanted this fight for years now but BHop has been mute to the invitation...and deaf to the challenge, but After he saw Dawson lose to (in my opinion, a lesser boxer) Pascal, BHop felt he could exploit what the boxing community has deemed to be a lack of focus on Dawsons behalf, he was labeled a fighter that suffers from low fortitude(there's no vitamins that can fix that)and bad self-esteem,.... a fighter who had become so enstranged and aloof to the pro ranks, he forgot how to fight and act like a figher...
Yes Dawson had a serious lapse at the wrong time (just when his career should have been ascending, His loss to Pascal showed that even the good ones can have a bad night... not to mention the fact that he couldn't seem to mesh with trainers Eddie Mustafa Mohammed or Emanual Stewart... So finally after his foray into the land of big dreams and high profile trainers, the prodigal son has finally found his way back home... now that he's back to what he's comfortable with... he's ready to show the world,.... there ain't no way he's gonna lose to a 47 goin on 35 year old man. No matter much high frucrose corn syrup Bhop has avoided over the years.