Hopkins-Taylor: Analyzing the Present, Looking to the Future.
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Now that we have had a few days to reflect on the middleweight title this past weekend, what did it show us and what does the future hold for both men? In my analysis prior to the bout I stated that in order for Taylor to be successful he would need to take the initiative and use his speed. In the |
opening two rounds, Taylor did just that, using his rapier left jab. Hopkins who started slowly began to have success as the fight approached the middle rounds. Again, his ability to figure out an opponent’s style would eventually win him rounds three, four and five in my opinion. To me, the mid-to-late rounds won Taylor the title. From rounds six through nine, he appeared to be the busier fighter and his significant success was because he doubled up on his left jab thus preventing the Hopkins counter. To be honest though it was one of those fights that was extremely difficult to score. One round that was very clear cut in my opinion was round 10. Hopkins shook Taylor with a right hand and looked like he was on wobbly legs as the round reached its climax. Hopkins also looked to win rounds eleven and twelve.
So if we break down the fight what does this mean? Having viewed the fight twice I found myself having two different opinions. After first viewing the bout I was of the opinion that Taylor controlled the first half of the fight and that Hopkins’ only clear rounds were rounds ten through twelve. This was a bout however that is a dream for all fans that like to debate about boxing. Every fan would have a different opinion and most would not be far off the mark.
Certainly, Hopkins won the clear-cut rounds. The last three rounds I had for him. Many of the rounds admittedly were difficult to score but my personal preference is to favor the fighter who appears busier. Hopkins did not really catch fire until the last quarter of the bout although his body language at the end appeared to tell a story. When the final bell rang, Hopkins appeared satisfied that he had done enough to retain the title while Taylor looked skeptical. As we all know, Taylor became the new champion on a narrow, narrow verdict with the judges, like me, being more impressed with Taylor’s busy work-rate. You can argue about this one until you are blue in the face. Whether you side with Hopkins or Taylor on this one, you will have a valid argument. However, the record books will show that on July 16, two out of the three judges had Taylor winning.
So what does the future hold? Prior to Saturday’s fight Hopkins was toying with the idea of moving up to 175-pounds. It is now looking like the two will meet again in October. What, if anything, will be any different? The rematch is looking like it will be a “pick “em fight” with the bookies. Taylor has proven that he belongs in the elite of the middleweight division. Win or lose last Saturday his position was assured when the final bell rang. Will Hopkins do what Ray Robinson did against Turpin, Fullmer and Basilio: learn from fight number one and regain the titles?
To be honest, I don’t really think there is any future at the moment until the second bout has been decided. It is conceivable that the second bout could be even closer than the first one which could lead to a trilogy.
The future? Ask me after bout number two.