Hopkins is really fighting for a payday or he is probably deluded.

[BigMix27]

Why would Hopkins skip a weight class to fight the best fighter in the 175 lb division. Tarver has to come down from non-training camp weight of 200+, where as Hopkins has to move up from a non-camp training weight of 163

As much as I look at the facts of this fight there is no way I can see Hopkins winning and because of this I believe Hopkins is simply taking this fight for the payday. He has nothing left and he has not shown that he can beat guys that are bigger than him and motivated.

Let us consider the fact that he got trouble with Taylor in the first fight. Taylor was just as big and strong as him and dictated the fight behind his jab in the early rounds. Hopkins came on in the last 3rd of the fight and expected to claim a victory. He then give us a bunch of excuses. Ok, let us say Hopkins won the first fight. The second fight Hopkins was bragging about how he usually KOES people in rematches. When the second fight finally came, Hopkins did the exact same thing as he did in the first fight. He did not KO Taylor instead he allowed Taylor to dictate 2/3rds of the fight by jabs, then he tried to bum rush Taylor in the last 3rd. He again lost. Why didn't Hopkins KO Taylor? Because he couldn't. Hopkins KO percentage is not high, and Taylor was big as him, had boxing skills, had a chin and was motivated.

Tarver also is big as Hopkins, probably even bigger than him, has boxing skills, he has a chin and is extremely motivated to win this fight. This again coupled with the fact that Tarver is the bigger man and is a Southpaw spells disaster for Hopkins.

Of course Hopkins has to know this, or he is very stupid. I think he knows this and know that winning this fight is a long shot for him, this is why I believe he is taking it primarily as a payday to finish off his career. He has nothing to loose. If he looses he can say he was trying something "great". If he wins which is a long shot he get bragging rights. But he knows chances are he is going to loose, and a big payday is going to suffice. This is the perfect 3 fight losing streak ever. All of it is for big paydays with the biggest probably coming in the last fight.

[p4pking]

First of all Tarvers being over 200 pounds and taking so much time off for the movie is a huge disadvantage for him... He has to lose alot of weight and given the fact that he has poor stamina and doesn't take pressure or body attacks well to begin with, it's good timing by Hopkins camp in a way... I saw Hopkins on TV recently in an interview and he looks good, and said that his plan for this fight will be to weigh in at about 168 or 169... He doesn't actually have to make 175. Also you have to look at Tarver's fights with Glen Johnson, those were his latest, even though they were very long ago since Tarver has been extremely inactive and has been thinking of other things.. Anyways, he was in trouble in both of those fights and didn't really hurt Johnson much at all... Bhop completely dismantled Glen Johnson en route to an 11th round TKO, he handed him his first pro loss and is the only man to ever stop him... Why couldn't Tarver? I don't think this is a one sided fight at all... IMO Taylor is alot better than Glen Johnson, Bhop is alot better than Reggie Johnson... YOu can't just judge Tarver because he KOed Jones.. What else has he done, and how has he looked doing it? Nothing special..... I just have this feeling that Tarver, being the loudmouth idiot he is, will think exactly the way you are, that Hopkins just wants a payday.... When really Hopkins probably went back to the gym 2 days after the Taylor fight and has had his mind on Tarver for months.. This is a prime set up for an "upset"... But I won't see it that way at all because Hopkins is a much more skilled fighter who will also be better prepared.

[Wacko3205]

First of all Tarvers being over 200 pounds and taking so much time off for the movie is a huge disadvantage for him... He has to lose alot of weight and given the fact that he has poor stamina and doesn't take pressure or body attacks well to begin with, it's good timing by Hopkins camp in a way... I saw Hopkins on TV recently in an interview and he looks good, and said that his plan for this fight will be to weigh in at about 168 or 169... He doesn't actually have to make 175. Also you have to look at Tarver's fights with Glen Johnson, those were his latest, even though they were very long ago since Tarver has been extremely inactive and has been thinking of other things.. Anyways, he was in trouble in both of those fights and didn't really hurt Johnson much at all... Bhop completely
dismantled Glen Johnson en route to an 11th round TKO, he handed him his first pro loss and is the only man to ever stop him... Why couldn't Tarver? I don't think this is a one sided fight at all... IMO Taylor is alot better than Glen Johnson, Bhop is alot better than Reggie Johnson... YOu can't just judge Tarver because he KOed Jones.. What else has he done, and how has he looked doing it? Nothing special..... I just have this feeling that Tarver, being the loudmouth idiot he is, will think exactly the way you are, that Hopkins just wants a payday.... When really Hopkins probably went back to the gym 2 days after the Taylor fight and has had his mind on Tarver for months...

Good post.



Never really thought about it that way. I have done what I often criticize others on this forum of doing...being very short sighted...regarding this fight.

This is the part of like the most:

This is a prime set up for an "upset"... But I won't see it that way at all because Hopkins is a much more skilled fighter who will also be better prepared.

[Purist]

Then again you're expecting the same Hopkins that beat Johnson to show up that aint happening sadly

[Wacko3205]

Then again you're expecting the same Hopkins that beat Johnson to show up that aint happening sadly

Who is? Me?

Hell no babe.

I personally wish that B just wouldn't show up at all.

Maybe he could fake a mugging before he got to the fight.

You say potatoe & I say PO-TAH-TO...let's just call this whole fwockin thang off.

[Purist]

not you wacko. But keep in mind that Hopkins would start late in fight not just because of his age but because naturally keeping himself at middleweight he had to pace himself At 168 he doesn't have to pace himself as MUCH still does but not as much does he

[Violent Demise]

Is Hopkins fighting for paycheck? There both fighting for paychecks. Hopkins is not deluded. Tarver is a winnable fight for Hopkins.

[p4pking]

Then again you're expecting the same Hopkins that beat Johnson to show up that aint happening sadly

I know... But I think the HOpkins that showed up to fight Taylor is enough, considering how Tarver and Roy both showed up in their last fight, and how Tarver showed up against Johnson... Take a look at this clip and see what I mean, Hopkins will be very active in this fight I think, he will shock some people... Tarver won't be able to handle the pressure if old Roy could still give him multiple fits with the 8 punches he threw.

http://media.putfile.com/Hopkins-Jones-energy-level

Im getting excited for this one..

[Wacko3205]

I know... But I think the HOpkins that showed up to fight Taylor is enough, considering how Tarver and Roy both showed up in their last fight, and how Tarver showed up against Johnson...

Good points again.

I will to my last day believe in my heart that Bernard beat Taylor...judges be damned!

[Purist]

I know... But I think the HOpkins that showed up to fight Taylor is enough, considering how Tarver and Roy both showed up in their last fight, and how Tarver showed up against Johnson...

Good points again.

I will to my last day believe in my heart that Bernard beat Taylor...judges be damned!

thats cause he did

[Wacko3205]

I know... But I think the HOpkins that showed up to fight Taylor is enough, considering how Tarver and Roy both showed up in their last fight, and how Tarver showed up against Johnson...

Good points again.

I will to my last day believe in my heart that Bernard beat Taylor...judges be damned!

thats cause he did

Agreed. 100%.

[p4pking]

I know... But I think the HOpkins that showed up to fight Taylor is enough, considering how Tarver and Roy both showed up in their last fight, and how Tarver showed up against Johnson...

Good points again.

I will to my last day believe in my heart that Bernard beat Taylor...judges be damned!

thats cause he did

Agreed. 100%.

Like Bhop says... Why should he be a big underdog... he's coming into this fight the undisputed middleweight champion with 24 title defences, and Tarver doesn't have shat

[bigragu]

Then again you're expecting the same Hopkins that beat Johnson to show up that aint happening sadly

true he may not be the B-HOP that beat Tito or ODLH but I don't think he's so far removed to not be motivated to win his last fight....I believe that He needs this win and He knows it...I think a motivated Hopkins will beat and over-confident Tarver.....we'll see....I did pick ODLH in his last fight by KO no less...

[Hairdoo]

mmm.... I must admit p4p u have made some interesting points. I'm starting to doubt my own doubt

Style wise Hopkins is definately the man to beat Tarver but at 41 has he enough punch resistance or fuel in the tank? does he even need to against such a lazy opponent?

I just keep thinking he seemed gun shy of a messy young Taylor and Tarver is a little more composed and powerful, not to mention bigger.

God I hope BHop pulls it off!! I couldn't think of much worse than seeing both Jones and Hopkins on milkduds resume.

[Purist]

I thought you had to be active to beat Tarver and not lay back and wait.. of course it's also a good idea to counter Tarver but its hard to get him to lead but he only bends to his left to avoid a punch lol