Third time lucky? Taylor

No, because I don't think Hopkins could fight much busier, while still making 160 lbs. I think making the weight took more and more out of Bernard as he got older.

Also he didn't want to rush in and get caught with anything foolish.

Bernard has proven who the better man is, even beating Kelly Pavlik with ease, Taylor's conqueror.

I had Taylor winning both B-Hop fights 15-113, but Hopkins could've won both without doubt. The rounds Hopkins won, were mostly won clearly, whereas Taylor's rounds were close. Nard didn't start fighting until round 9 of the first fight.

I also thought Taylor beat Pavlik the second time around.

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Originally Posted by greynotsoold

Do you think that, in looking back, knowing what he does about Taylor now, Hopkins wishes he had fought differently? Fought more?

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Hopkins would probably wanted to go back and win 2 or 3 rounds of the first 4 rounds. He would also probably benefit from making the fight a bit more dirty.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by greynotsoold

Do you think that, in looking back, knowing what he does about Taylor now, Hopkins wishes he had fought differently? Fought more?

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Hopkins would probably wanted to go back and win 2 or 3 rounds of the first 4 rounds. He would also probably benefit from making the fight a bit more dirty.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by greynotsoold

Do you think that, in looking back, knowing what he does about Taylor now, Hopkins wishes he had fought differently? Fought more?

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I dont think I've had as much a Cybil attitude towards a fighter as I have had with Hopkins. I really really like(d) the guy....and as much as he made me throw heavy objects and cuss in foreign languages with the way he would coast...or take things for granted...

Totally convinced Taylor was ripe for brutal tko in the 1st fight rounds 10,11,12. It was there, cant be convinced otherwise. Saw it with Holmes and Joppy among others also. Difference is he was clearly winning. I have always thought Hopkins genuinely liked to beat a guy up, prolong it and bask in it as opposed to brutally ending guys ala Lipsey, Mercado or Jackson. Hindsight being 20-20 he's fortyGodknowswhat years old and still making history and in huge fights...what the hell do I know :p

My thinking is that, in the first fight, all of a sudden, in the 9th round, he starts landing the right hand at will. He didn't see that opening in the 7th round, or the 8th? That would have been the difference. In the 2nd fight, he had to know that Taylor (1) couldn't hurt him (2) wasn't as smart as he and (3) was a sucker for that sneak right hand.

As long as taylor under uses that jab that got him where he was in the first place. He'll get beat by any of the top guys. Pavlik would use his ass again.