Classic Bernard Hopkins Counterpunch.

Bernard Hopkins has done it once again. A great player throughout the boxing game, treating it like chess. Running a campaign on becoming the best middleweight, he has secured a bout with Jermain Taylor. Yes, you have the fans in line, wishing for an upset of Taylor showing Bernard’s age and slowness.

Thing is, I doubt if it will happen. Hopkins is a fighter with enormous knowledge in the craft of boxing. Why jump in another weight class when you know that your calling is in the weight class you are ruling? He has been in Taylor shoes; he has boxed men like Taylor before. Yes, we can jump on the Hopkins factors; his age, timing, dedication and ability to continue his title winning record. Hopkins has so many tools to use to defeat Taylor. Here is my top five out of eleven.

First would be his mentality: strong, bold, ambitious and low key. Secondly, it would be his experience, with a 46-2-1, 32 KO record, adapting and learning your opponent’s style would be a key lesson in continuing his successful career. A third tool, Hopkins could activate would be his control presence, he knows Taylor wants to prove something. No matter how humble Taylor may be, he still has that “young urge” within him. Knocking Bernard Hopkins out, would place him in boxing conversations forever. Bernard will play off this and use it to his advantage. The fourth reason that Hopkins will walk away with a victory, is in his old school style. He is not looking for that lucky shot, but will take it, if it presents itself.

Jermain Taylor is not going to win a decision, so that has to have an effect on his boxing plans. Bernard, on the other hand will box his way and could care less on a crowd-pleasing fight. My fifth and final reason for Bernard winning would be his next big payday. Even though Bernard seems to be all right in the money department, he still thinks like a broke boxer. This man trains as if he is Taylor’s age.

Now, let’s look at a Bernard habit. Usually, when he fights a big name talented fighter, he usually fights a mediocre fighter before. Here we see a lackluster and boring fight making people think, “He’s done, damn, Hopkins has no exciting fights.” All this is part of his preparation. When he fought Howard Eastman, it was slow and you may have channel surfed while watching it. Yet, this is classic Bernard Hopkins, watch how he approaches Taylor. This middleweight king is aware that a devastating knockout of Eastman would do nothing for his legacy. Now, he has a young, dangerous boxer ahead. This is where the desire kicks in. You will see a textbook boxing display. I have nothing against Jermain Taylor, he is a brave fighter to step up. Yet sometimes, being brave means to wait it out. As a boxing fan, I love the match up, as a man, well, Taylor, you are on your way to fighting one of the best, watch and learn.

Shaun Rico LaWhorn can be reached at filmmakers_revolution@msn.com