Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith

[Spicoli]

Can't really knock Smith as opponent after demolition job he did on Fonfara. Also cannot forget he was rocked with a counter punch. As with most Hopkins opponents I think most important thing is to not fall for the head games or become just happy to be a part of event. Ruin the party, don't box him and go for early KO or be blinded by the event lights and sniped all night.

glad this is at the Forum and not a bad card really.

[mikeeod]

I'm a huge Hop fan so I'm likely biased, but I see him winning this fight by doing what he does best these days: shutting down the other guy's offense, slowing things down, and edging rounds on the way to a decision. A few thoughts on Hop and his stellar career:

1. His fight vs. Tito was the most complete and impressive performance (IMO) that I have seen. If someone ever asks me what a good fight to watch to see greatness, this is the fight I recommend. Hop was brilliant that night and displayed a complete package of mental toughness, ring intelligence, ring generalship, boxing ability, punching power, stamina, killer instinct...etc., and he did it vs. a top p4p fighter.

2. Hop has developed the reputation of a spoiler late in his career (rightfully so). This is tragic because Hop was actually right hand crazy and reckless early in his career and then became one of, if not the most, complete fighter of his generation (Floyd, Roy...etc., were more naturally gifted, but I can't think of another fighter other than Floyd who was even close to as well rounded as Hop).

3. Archie Moore and George Foreman (maybe Larry Holmes also) were the face/poster children for successful older fighters. While both had great accomplishments at advanced ages, I feel neither consistently beat top teir competition like Hop did. In my opinion, Hop surpasses both on the list of historically great old guys.

[Spicoli]

El Bump!

[palmerq]

usyk mchunu starting now... 208 and 206lbs on the night....

or paige van zant is the ufc on the other channel :S

[palmerq]

why is the crowd booing already, they bought tickets for a b hop fight :S if they dont like this then the main event might not be for them either :S

[Spicoli]

Wonder how much of Mchunu Usyk people watched. He's content to do this all night and finds holes.

[palmerq]

mchunu is looking good so far, usyk will need to step it up before mchunu racks up too many rounds