Quote Originally Posted by RP33
If Hopkins stares at Winky for the first few rounds like he did to Taylor then he'll give up the first 3-5 rounds without a doubt. It seemed that at the end of the Taylor fights, when he picked it up, he was effortlessly being quite effective. If he does that to Winky early in the fight, then it will be VERY interesting to see what happens. Remember what Winky's face looked like after the Taylor fight, and Hopkins hit's harder than Taylor. I don't see Winky the clear favorite at all, but i give him the edge due to Hopkins laid back style.
RP33, I disagree vehemently with the assumption of Bernard's punch impact on Winky being that superior to Jermain's ( actually it is not). B-Hop is a selective, quality and tricky puncher in the first place, he doesn't rely on the one knockout punch but the fact that he appears to be more waiting to tag ya with consecutive sharp, sneaky and still solid right volleys lately ( vs Taylor I & II, vs Tarver) is because he isn't able to use pressure and volume of punches like he used to ( from Mercado to Tito and from there to Eastman). Winky has a very hard defense to penetrate in, the guy presents a perfect thin line side from where you can only see fluid right jabs comin and when you get to figure him out, he closes himself like a shell and you can't misuse your time and chances cos he'll tag you from that stance - bernard has to jump in the distance instinctively and rotate 90º repeatedly as fast to keep nailing him with rights - I do believe that is impossible for a 40 plus year old to do even if he is a beautiful physical specimen, wiry frame, perfect conditioned, experient man like Hopkins...