Hopkins thinks Winky is "Wright" opponent

Hopkins thinks Winky is "Wright" opponent


Dave Sholler / BoxingScene.com

http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/6491078

Despite announcing his retirement from boxing last June, former middleweight king Bernard Hopkins confirmed last week that he will be returning to the ring on July 21 to face crafty veteran Winky Wright.

Even though his defeat of then-IBO light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver last summer meant his legacy was solidified, Hopkins will lace up the gloves again in pursuit of another big win.
The match was seemingly one the 42-year old couldn't resist. Many, though, wonder if Winky was the "Wright" opponent.

While no one will deny Hopkins' ability to defy age and odds, many question the future Hall-of-Famer's decision based on Wright's style. After all, Wright is a more complete boxer than B-Hop's last opponent in Tarver, having pushed current middleweight champion (and Hopkins' foe) Jermain Taylor to the brink of losing his title last year.

Moreover, at this moment, Wright is one of boxing's best defensive fighters, breaking down opponents with the purest forms of the sweet science. So the question remains: Why in the world would Hopkins come back to fight Wright?

Like it or not, the answer is simple. Hopkins still believes he is the best in the world and loves when critics think otherwise. He wants to battle the world's best fighters. After bouts with Roy Jones Jr. and Oleg Maskaev fell through, Hopkins took the next best option. When all was said and done, though, the Philadelphia native truthfully saw little threat in fighting Wright.

Even though he is financially secure and a partner in a thriving boxing promotions business, Hopkins looks at this comeback much like a stock broker looks at potential investments. If he believed there was a severe risk of losing to Wright, he would have proceeded with caution and may have stayed retired.

However, Hopkins is so sure he'll win that he proceeded with furor in making the match. Ever the savvy businessman, Hopkins believes the reward is much greater than the risk.

Regardless of how confident and calculated Hopkins is now, the risk of losing is there and he will be put to the test on July 21. Wright is a polished ring general capable of manipulating even the best fighter's game plan. Wright forces opponents to fight his fight, often baiting in the opposition and swiftly counterpunching for 12 rounds.

While it remains to be seen if Wright can knock out a big-named opponent, one-thing is for sure. He will batter unprepared victims with lethal combinations, all while maintaining his defensive scheme.

With that said, Hopkins-Wright looks to be a war of attrition. Who will be the aggressor? Can Wright's defense save him from a Hopkins' mugging? Will Hopkins' 42-year-old body be able to handle Wright's selective peppering? Mysteries like these seem to be part of a lengthy equation both fighters must solve before their bout. Still, though, the methodical Hopkins is confident.

"This fight is based on who can figure out the puzzle and make the other guy do what he don't want to do," Hopkins told Philadelphia Daily News boxing scribe Bernard Fernandez in an exclusive interview. "I know everything that Winky has, and I also know that Winky don't have as many weapons in his arsenal as I do. Winky's going to get hit more in this fight than he's been hit in any fight in his life."

Always a self-promoter, Hopkins may have had other reasons to make this fight, as well. Since many have billed the upcoming bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya as the match that will crown's boxing's best, Hopkins seems miffed that he was left out of top-fighter consideration. With a win over Wright, he believes he'll prove that age doesn't mean a thing.

"Almost everyone has Winky ranked up there among the top three or four pound-for-pound fighters," Hopkins told Fernandez. "Beating him puts me right back there again, and at 42 years old, too."

Come July, Bernard Hopkins will have the opportunity to prove to everyone that he is still the best. And if he finishes the evening with his arms raised in triumph, Bernard will be the first to remind you that he made the "Wright" choice.

I don't know what to think about this fight. It is a matchup of two elite fighters, but it will be a tactical battle where there won't be much explosiveness. I think at 160 Winky wins a close decision, if its a catchweight like 164 or up, then I think B-hop can win it. This year is shaping up to be one with many megafights, and big names going at it left and right.

I hope Bernard knocks Winky out! But I'll settle for a decision victory, since I see that is being much more likely. Should be a dramatic fight, a chess match, but not overly thrilling. I love B-hop, but he should have fought Roy Jones, Calzaghe or stayed retired. This fight with Wright does not interest me nearly as much as either of those two fights would have.

i think the match has got chessmatch written all over it. it will be interesting to watch though

I think it will be a bore its just a Goldenboy promotions money spinner they are the winners

a guy whos best at 154 fighting a natural LH at 170Lb, ofc he is the 'wright' apponent.

AH man, this is gonna be the next Hagler Hearns !!!!

no wait..

I saw a new Winky in his last fight versus Quartey, much higher punch output.

I think it will be a much more exciting match than some people believe.

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Originally Posted by LBSCFC

i think the match has got chessmatch written all over it. it will be interesting to watch though

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It'll be like watching a chessmatch...

with booing.

If the crowd boos that will be fucking retarded. What are they expecting at a fight involving Bernard Hopkins AND Winky Wright?? A knockout? Hahahha

I love fights of all kinds. Everyone doesnt have to be a KO artist. Casual fan like every fight to be a KO but real fight fans know once you get to the elite level you may not be able to KO everbody. It would have been stupid for Bernard to fight JT toe to toe, thats not his fight. you can see enough bang bang action with over 90% of boxing. Every fighter dont fight that way. Because in 10 years when fighters like GATTI cant talk any more let me see were his fans are going to be. He wont even be mentioned except on a pity story of how banging destroyed him. BUT his fans loved it.

Must people ALWAYS make a pun off of Winky's name ??? ;D

i hate every single wirght fight they put his name and make some smart ass fraises i hate it "o its the wright decison and on the wright track" ppl its played out no offense to the one who posted im talkin bout the writers

Crowds usually boo when they are lead to believe a KO is coming. No-one will expect it so how can anyone be disappointed.

I don;'t resoext B Hop for this fight at all and Wright is even more stupid for taking it. Wright is best at 154-160,there are bigger fights to be made there and he should be going out of his way to rematch Taylor..

Hopkins always gets criticised that Tarver aside,his biggest wins came against smaller guys and now he is making a 154 pounder jump to 170. ???It's not as if Wright is a big man is it?! ::** B Hop spoke about the promises to his mother etc etc and then takes this fight?! When he could have got revenge against Taylor? Fought RJJ? Fought JC??

I'll watch the fight but I'm not thinking wow or anything. Id rather see these 2 against some of the younger hungrier warriors out there, like Pavlik,Miranda,heck Taylor!! The Taylor fight would make more sense!

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Originally Posted by killersheep

I saw a new Winky in his last fight versus Quartey, much higher punch output.

I think it will be a much more exciting match than some people believe.

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:coolclick: Agreed.

Although, I still think that this is the wrong fight for Wright...I can't wait to see it materialize...just wish that it had happened at 160lbs.

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Originally Posted by Hairdoo

Crowds usually boo when they are lead to believe a KO is coming. No-one will expect it so how can anyone be disappointed.

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It's a Hopkins fight

Hopkins eats southpaws for breakfast!! but I dont think a 40 year old can drop weight and keep a high enough workrate to beat Wright. ;)