SaddoBoxing.com Writers Predict: Hopkins-Eastman/Taylor-Edouard.

Howard Eastman’s reintroduction into world-class company may be a tad late, but only those ignorant of his credentials and boxing ability can deny his right to fight against Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins aims for a twentieth middleweight title defense, a historic feat, but one in which he faces a true middleweight contender at last. Having fed on much smaller fighters and occasionally,

much less talented fighters than Eastman, Hopkins has one eye on history and another on Jermain Taylor. Former Olympian Taylor may be in “the Executioner’s” future, but Howard Eastman has his heart set on ruining Hopkins’ present. Taylor will showcase his talents against unbeaten Haitian middleweight Daniel Edouard with many predicting that Taylor will be the next to challenge for the undisputed middleweight championship. However, if that is to be so, there are no guarantees that Taylor will receive his chance against the aging Hopkins. Fighters often produce their greatest moments when threatened with obscurity, and Eastman will know that endless void if he fails. Adequate motivation? Sure, but enough to end the historic reign of one of boxing’s most determined champions? The SaddoBoxing.com writers offer you their thoughts on the matter.

Richard Eberline: Hopkins – Eastman: Eastman has faced three good fighters in his most recent bouts but the only time he got in with anyone close to Hopkins’ league was three years ago against Joppy. Whether or not Eastman really won that fight is up for dispute but the fact that it was close enough to go either way doesn’t bode well for the Englishman. But Hopkins must get old sometime right? Also, ol’ Bernard hasn’t fought too many natural middleweights in his career that are as good as Eastman. That’s how I see it on paper but I think the fight will go the way that most of Hopkins’ big fights have gone. He just wears opponents down, taking away their spirit through patient counterpunching and rough tactics if necessary. I have to admit to never seeing Eastman fight, but to win I think he’d have to set a hot pace and keep his foot on the gas in order to make Hopkins feel his advanced age. I don’t see it as happening though, and will call for Hopkins earning a unanimous decision.

Taylor – Edouard: Edouard is just in over his head in this one. He recently drew twice in a row with Dorian Beaupierre and is simply not in Taylor’s league. I think Jermain will stop the “Haitian Sensation” somewhere around the ninth round.

Greig Johnston: Bernard Hopkins-Howard Eastman. A very interesting fight, and a brave one for Hopkins to take in his twentieth defense. I’m going for the upset. While Hopkins has been getting the job done, I don’t think he’s looked at all sharp in his last two or three fights. I think that the combination of a hungry, hard hitting challenger and a forty year old body will see old ‘Nard finally dethroned via tenth round KO.

Daniel Edouard-Jermain Taylor. It’s nothing more than a stay busy fight for Taylor and I can’t see it going past six rounds.

Jim Cawkwell: For Howard Eastman, anything less than victory in this fight signals the end of his world championship ambitions. Even a draw against Hopkins will not be enough to persuade the champion to grant him a rematch, nor will it sway the boxing public who would relish the possibility of more historic fights to the like of which Hopkins has already stated his intention. Any fighter can grow old overnight, and simply because Hopkins has succeeded at a time when others have failed does not make him exempt. Howard Eastman will give Hopkins his hardest fight in years, perhaps even the hardest of his long career. In the end, I believe that Eastman’s strength andqualitywill tell on the older champion, forcing several knockdowns on the way to an undeniable decision win.

Whether Jermain Taylor has the confidence to make the final transition as a world champion remains to be seen. However, it is doubtful that Daniel Edouard has what it takes to stop him earning the chance. Taylor will knock Edouard out in the late rounds.

Lee Bellfield: Hopkins vs. Eastman-Fascinating fight. Eastman has always been genuine world-class and even Hopkins has acknowledged that. Hopkins is on a roll at the moment, coming off a big win against Oscar de la Hoya. Eastman on the other hand is undefeated since his last world title attempt against William Joppy in which some said he was unlucky not to get the verdict. With this in mind, I’m expecting a competitive fight. Some may argue that both men’s performances against Joppy points to an easy Hopkins win but I don’t think so and I’m of the opinion that Eastman could surprise a few people. There’s always the opinion that Hopkins could “grow old overnight,” although there’s been no hint of that in recent fights. With all this taken into consideration, I think Eastman will have his moments but will ultimately just fall short. Hopkins by close but unanimous decision.

Taylor vs. Edouard-Taylor looks to be the heir apparent in the middleweight division but he faces a fighter in Edouard who won’t just be looking to make up the numbers. The two are also no strangers to each other. That being said, sparring and fighting are two very different things. Taylor by eighth round stoppage.

Jim Amato: Bernard Hopkins likes to gamble. With his career that is. This Saturday he takes on the very capable Howard Eastman. I’m not going to go out on a limb and predict an Eastman upset. How do you bet against a guy with Bernard’s track record? I lost enough on his fight with Trinidad thank you. This bout worries me though. It takes me back to a time when a boxer came over from England with an impressive record but little fanfare. They brought him over to meet a boxer many considered the best in the world pound for pound at the time: Donald “The Cobra” Curry. Well all Lloyd Honeyghan did was beat the hell out of Curry. Poor Donald was never the same after that loss. No one seems to be giving Eastman a chance. That worries me a little. Still any betting man using logic would have to go with Bernard.

As far as Jermain Taylor’s bout, HoHumm…Just a prelim. A showcase for Jermain who is going to be a star. Taylor by KO!

James MacDonald: I predict that Hopkins will come out on top via unanimous decision. I see the fight being a lot tougher than some have suggested, as Eastman is a natural middleweight, with a good chin and a very respectable punch. I just feel that Hopkins is too cute and, for Eastman, fighting many people’s pound-for-pound number one is a huge step up in class. He belongs there, no doubt, but few of his previous fights will have prepared him for this test. Hopkins by unanimous decision.

Honestly, I don’t know an awful lot about Edouard. However, I feel it unlikely that Taylor’s handlers would put him in with a genuine threat at this point. With sixteen wins and two draws, Edouard could well be a decent warm up for Taylor, though. Taylor by TKO in round ten.

Ben Lynch: Bernard Hopkins is a great fighter. I don’t care what anyone says, the man has skills and is one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the business at this time. However, this weekend he faces one of the most underestimated fighters on the planet. Hopkins’ problem is he hasn’t had a strong challenge for a while, nothing to really test him and age isn’t on his side, in fact, every time Hopkins fights we all ask the question, “is this the fight Hopkins’ age finally shows.” If Eastman wants it and I mean REALLY wants it he can win this. Probably not via a fifth round KO, but I think he has the tools to test Hopkins and make him look his age.

Eastman round ten KO.

Jermain Taylor has started to look like the man to watch. Honestly, I don’t see this fight as anything more than a stepping-stone for him. Edouard has a good record he is undefeated but I think Taylor will have too much for him.

Taylor round six KO.

Katrina Walters: I believe this weekend that we are in for a real treat with these matches between Taylor and Edouard and Hopkins and Eastman. I like Edouard and he is a really good fighter, but I give this one to Jermain Taylor, I think he will out punch him. Bernard has history in the palm of his hands and I don’t think he’s going to let this moment slip away without capitalizing on it. I give the fight to him, breaking down Eastman and stopping him late in the fight.

Shaun Rico LaWhorn: My predictions for Saturday? Intensity laced boxing match-ups. Daniel Edouard has a gigantic opportunity in front of him. This challenge he is entering into with Jermain Taylor 22-0 (16 KO’s) will be the toughest and bravest fight of his young professional career. Edouard is the owner of a 16-0 (9 KO’s) record & Jermain Taylor has intentions of making Edouard’s record less than perfect. Taylor has knockout power. The early rounds will show some excitement, until Taylor’s power becomes evident to Edouard and a marathon of a boxing match will conclude right into the hands of a majority decision for Taylor.

The main event. Bernard Hopkins, 45-2-1 (32 KO’s) is preparing and training hard for this fight, like every fight. I am respectful of this fight being placed together. Howard Eastman 40-1 (34 KO’s) is a legitimate contender, despite Hopkins’ rating Eastman a B- fighter. This is history, Hopkins big twenty in title defenses. Eastman has 34 KO’s and power. Hopkins has old school training and a love affair called “boxing.” This fight will surprise the fans with its climaxes. I see a great battle and a tremendous work out for Hopkins, walking away with a majority decision. This fight, possibly could be the stand for a part two.

If you want to be a part of the SaddoBoxing.com team, contact Jim Cawkwell at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk