Hopkins makes mistake going after Tarver

[El Gamo]

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=6445&more=1


Hopkins Makes A Mistake By Taking On Tarver

27.03.06 - By Jim Amato: I see why Bernard Hopkins is going after Antonio Tarver's light heavyweight championship. No doubt, Hopkins has nothing to lose at this point in his career. I mean, his legacy has already been written. However, I still just can't see him winning this fight, no matter how I look at it. In fact, I fear he may be stopped. Tarver is a big, strong light heavyweight, with serious power, just ask Roy Jones Jr. Taylor is also a southpaw and knows how to use all these gifts to his advantage. He is well trained and well schooled.

All I see is a possible replay of Monzon-vs-Jose Napoles. This was a much anticipated fight in mid 1970's. Welterweight champion moving up to challenge the middleweight king. In this bout though you had a big middleweight against a small welterweight. In reality Napoles' best weight was 135 to 140. He moved to welterweight to get a title shot because no one else in the lower weight classes would put their title on the line against him. Monzon was big enough to have been a great super middleweight if the division would have existed at the time.

As I said, Tarver is a big light heavyweight. You could easily see him as a cruiserweight and, yes, even a heavyweight, if the money is right. He has already said he would be willing to fight Mike Tyson. Hopkins is a life long middleweight, a natural at 160. I really can not see him being effective at 175. This is no different then the great Bob Foster's failure against heavyweights. Bob's natural weight was 175. Over that weight against top notch competition, he was basically ineffective.

I have to go with Tarver in a rather one sided fight. No dis to Bernard, in fact I give him his props for taking the challenge. No one can ever say that Bernard lacked courage.

[ElTerribleMorales]

i see Hopkins' defense being too sharp for Tarver, and he'll easily either outpoint by countering ala James Toney, or he'll pick his shots and finish him, like he could have Taylor in their first fight

[helminth]

I think Hopkins will win in a desision.
Where are all the people who said Roy could have beaten Tarver in the last fight, or all fights for that matter, with the exception of a lucky punch in fight two, if he would have tried. But then I here people saying if Jones fought Hopkins, he would lose to Bernard because Bernard is just too good at this point of his career. Now Bernard is fighting Tarver and some people are saying it's just going to be a disaster.
So let me get this straight.. If Jones tried he could have beaten Tarver in fight 3. If Jones fought Hopkins now, Hopkins is too good at this stage.
If Hopkins fights Tarver, Tarver wipes the floor with him. uh, ok.

[Wacko3205]

Tarver doesn't wipe the floor with Hopkins...but I truly think that this is a mistake.

Two reasons. #1: Hopkins has a competitive edge...but he just unleashes it to late in the fights.

#2: Tarver is going to be too heavy for Bernard & also a bit too confident.

#3: Hopkins was not able to effectively compete @ 175lbs. He knows that, his fans know that, & Tarver also knows that.

[helminth]

Well, that's a more logical analysis. Hopkins is one of my favorite fighters though and I have to see him turning it up in the last 3 rounds or so to edge Tarver out.

[jbirdy]

i dunno about the hopkins looks too good at this point in his career comment. he didnt look overly impressive in his last 2 outings. but then again i can see him doing well against tarver, who isnt the quickest of cats.

[Gandalf]

i dont think hopkins is making a terrible mistake going after tarver... for his age hopkins is in remarkably good fettle....it wont be an exciting fight, but hopkins can pull a result...

[Taeth]

Tarver doesn't wipe the floor with Hopkins...but I truly think that this is a mistake.

Two reasons. #1: Hopkins has a competitive edge...but he just unleashes it to late in the fights.

#2: Tarver is going to be too heavy for Bernard & also a bit too confident.

#3: Hopkins was not able to effectively compete @ 175lbs. He knows that, his fans know that, & Tarver also knows that.

I think Hopkins could still compete against Glen Johnson and most LHW, but not Tarver who IMO is way too underrated by most people..

[drgoodlooking]

I think Hopkins can win. However, Tarver is stronger, taller, and better right now. Still, I'm rooting for Hopkins because I think he has the experience and can pull it off. I've never thought too much of Antonio Tarver.

[BigLuke]

HOpkins at this stage is has much better overall boxing skills than Tarver. Actually i never thought tarver had much skill to begin with. Tarver may land a solid punch and put hopkins out but if there is no KO than hopkins wins this fight rather easily. Hopkins has too much skill for him.

[Wayne]

My this was a refreshing read.

[Pugilistic]

Lol !!!!!

[SigmaMu]

I think Hopkins will win this fight. One sided fight win for B-Hop and a UD.

[NUCLEAR BULL]

this is a old topic poping up for some reason

[Taeth]

I give Hopkins all the credit in the world, but Tarver hasn't been the same Tarver that beat RJJ since then... Even against Glen Johnson he looked way faster, and a lively than he idd against Hopkins.. However credit is due to Hopkins and I think he would have beaten even a sharp Tarver, just like a younger RJJ would have.