B-Hop vs Winky.

[silent assassin]

I disagree. Even if he were to lose it will definitely not be anything close to resembling a beating IMO. He's 42 & has'nt fought in 13 months. If my memory serves me correct he had 21 title defenses in a row & held the belt for 11 years consecutively. Considering these facors & the fact that IMO Winky is a 35 yr old fighter with Hall of Fame credentials in his own right I don't see his legacy being tarnished in the least if he were to lose this fight. A short memory to remember what a guy has accomplished is 1 thing but that would be a total disgarace if it were to remotely become true.

I agree that Hopkins won't take a beating & never said he would but it would definitely affect his standings amongst the greatest fighters of this era! I agree Wright is also a future Hall Of Famer & a lose for Hopkins is not going to be overly critical but in 20 years time we guys are comparing fighters a Hopkins lose may put Wright as one of the best & not Hopkins. That may not necessarily be considered tarnished but it would be a blemish that would affect his overlall standings!

I guess we can agree to disagree on this matter.

I would consider any loss a "blemish". But IMO a loss to another great fighter (Winky) at this stage of the game (42 years old) would'nt "tarnish" B-Hop's overall standing/status. It did'nt hurt Ali's status to lose to Leon Spinks (hardly an all time great) in his later years. And it happened to many other greats late in their careers. Why would it be different for Bernard? The biggest difference IMO would be that most of the other greats lost to average guys & Hop would be losing to A great fighter.

IMO history would remember A loss to Winky for exactly for what it is. A great 42 yr old fighter losing to a great younger guy. B-Hop should'nt be punished for being able to maintain himself as a big time performer at a greater age than most people. He will have to show some age sooner or later. And if u go out on a loss then it's not so bad to go out against a guy as good as Winky.

But again for the record I pick B-Hop to win this fight in a dec.

cc bro you make some good points, thing for me is Hopkins doesn't need this fight. If he had retired after the Tarver fight his career would have ended on a high note. Now if he suffers a defeat who's to say he won't tread down that well worn track of comebacks & further loses. I know his legacy is secure but it would be a far cry from leaving on such a high!

back at ya. I agree that as for as his legacy goes he does'nt need this fight. Only time will tell how thing will work out.

[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.

[Dorfmeister]

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...

[Trainer Monkey]

Mr Wright isnt exactly a spring chicken
Bernards got more tricks up his sleeve then you guys remember,and he tailors his fight to his opponent

[El Gamo]

Winky wins this for me. Although he is the smaller man, I don't think B HoP has the style to prize open Winky's defence. I don't think he has the power to bring Winky's guard down either and Winky is also dam active with that ramrod jab and straight left hands.

B Hop's weakness right now is that he is far too inactive. He let JT win rounds when all JT would throw is a jab or 2 and a straight right hand because B Hop would do nothing but stare. What happens if B Hop throws 2 or 3 punches and lands them all and Winky is throwing 50-60 and lands fewer? This is going to be very tough to score.B Hop may very well land those sneaky right hands as leads or counters but how effective will they be? How clean will they be? I just don't see what B Hop can do to win.

I have to admit,I was slightly pessimistic about this fight when first announced and I'm not super excited like I am for say Taylor Pavlik but it will be a great fight between two excellent fighters. Personally,I don't think it was a good move for Wright. Win,lose or draw,will his next fight be at 175?He;s far too small. Will he move to 160? At this age,all this yo-yoing in weight cannot be good for him. And would still have rather seen him fight JT again,they have unfinished business.

[helminth]

I want to see how Winky reacts to Hopkin's sneaky right hands.

I'd Like to see that. Along with a little "Chopped Liver".
I think Hopkins is going to be fighting damn near inside of Wright's body. That's how close I believe Hopkins will be to Wright all night other than a few brief moments on the outside. Man I can't believe how ahead Wright is on the poll. He's good but this is against a big B-Hop. Wright's chances are fair at best.

[Trainer Monkey]

I want to see how Winky reacts to Hopkin's sneaky right hands.

I'd Like to see that. Along with a little "Chopped Liver".
I think Hopkins is going to be fighting damn near inside of Wright's body. That's how close I believe Hopkins will be to Wright all night other than a few brief moments on the outside. Man I can't believe how ahead Wright is on the poll. He's good but this is against a big B-Hop. Wright's chances are fair at best.

Dont sweat it,Bhops at his best when hes the underdog

[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...

Uh, i've seen Winky fight before, i know what he does.. and i've seen B-hop throughout his career, thanks..
Hopkins has more KO's than Taylor (obviously, but even the ratio is higher).. But when you look at their styles, obviously Taylor was VERY active the entire fight against Wright, and Hopkins is not going to take that approach even if he could at his age.. I give Hopkins more credit than you, due to the fact that if he does figure Winky out and can sneak some shots in there, they will be just as, if not more effective than Taylor was. Do i think he'll figure him out? probably not, but i do indeed think he can be effective and have a better shot if he gets to work right at the bell of round 1.

[Trainer Monkey]

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...

Uh, i've seen Winky fight before, i know what he does.. and i've seen B-hop throughout his career, thanks..
Hopkins has more KO's than Taylor (obviously, but even the ratio is higher).. But when you look at their styles, obviously Taylor was VERY active the entire fight against Wright, and Hopkins is not going to take that approach even if he could at his age.. I give Hopkins more credit than you, due to the fact that if he does figure Winky out and can sneak some shots in there, they will be just as, if not more effective than Taylor was. Do i think he'll figure him out? probably not, but i do indeed think he can be effective and have a better shot if he gets to work right at the bell of round 1.

Hopkins a tape monkey,any flaw in Wrights game,and he HAS lost,Hopkins knows about it

[Dorfmeister]

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...

Uh, i've seen Winky fight before, i know what he does.. and i've seen B-hop throughout his career, thanks..
Hopkins has more KO's than Taylor (obviously, but even the ratio is higher).. But when you look at their styles, obviously Taylor was VERY active the entire fight against Wright, and Hopkins is not going to take that approach even if he could at his age.. I give Hopkins more credit than you, due to the fact that if he does figure Winky out and can sneak some shots in there, they will be just as, if not more effective than Taylor was. Do i think he'll figure him out? probably not, but i do indeed think he can be effective and have a better shot if he gets to work right at the bell of round 1.

RP33 again and Gamo, guys, I love B-Hop and have every single title fight he's been in ever since RJJ, coming off the floor twice in Equador against Mercado to the two losses with Jermain and the Tarver fight. I also deslike W(S)tinky's stance to the point of nausea, to me he is still the most natural lefty I've seen and is the same junior welter light handed guy who used to outslick nobodies like J.C.Candelo in 2003 for the IBF title, then came Shane and Tito tryin to bomb him away and Wright still doing what he knows best, breaking their momentum, sliping with scoring shots and suckin up their energy and their will to win to the finish line. 50cent tried to co-promote his image and easy-going personality and cool talkin in the video "Just a Lil Bit", still he would come without too much notice against Taylor and that's exactly when Jermain started looking on the less bright side of decisions, draws and even wins ( like against Cory) - that's what W(S)tinky does to ya, besides when he's the main attraction like when he took Quartey, see what snore-fest, idiotic middle fight it can develop into and it was a major eliminator in hometown St. Petesburg, FL.
I really believe Bernard chose the best fight to do a lil bit more than nothing, get the check and finally retire for good without getting hurt (Man, You really didn't believe he was to compete with Wlad, Oleg, Ruslan, Sultan and all those folks or did you?) - Taylor vs Pavlik is a A genuine middleweight title fight where fireworks are expected, Hopkins vs Wright is a A++ sort of light heavy (non) title fight that can be as exciting as watching paint dry on a wall.

[Pugilistic]

hopkins by close decision

[Joerod]

I went with Bhop via decision. I think he has the size advantage and I also believe he will be attacking from many different angles presenting Winky with something he hasn't seen before at this level. It should be a close chess match in which Bhop will prevail.

[The Boxer]

this might sound like a surprise to some but i think hopkins has a slightly better defense than winky and defense.

[Dorfmeister]

this might sound like a surprise to some but i think hopkins has a slightly better defense than winky and defense.

No surprise at all, Boxer, as long as people who read your post have seen the Trinidad fight and the Tarver fight... B-Hop is extremely difficult to hit cause his reflexes are superb, the guy is really a cat, elusive and tricky, when Tito tried to left hook him he was always moving to his left and frustrated Tito all night long until the borinquan was going slighty weary and slower with his punch and at the last moment ( 12th), sneaked himself in and counter-hooked him with the right ( same thing with Tarver in the 5th)... But the problem here is that Hopkins says he's going back to the rough fighting mode and kayo Winky, well, Tito said the same and then he has been retired until this day...

[Dorfmeister]

this might sound like a surprise to some but i think hopkins has a slightly better defense than winky and defense.

No surprise at all, Boxer, as long as people who read your post have seen the Trinidad fight and the Tarver fight... B-Hop is extremely difficult to hit cause his reflexes are superb, the guy is really a cat, elusive and tricky, when Tito tried to left hook him he was always moving to his left and frustrated Tito all night long until the borinquan was going slightly weary and slower with his punch and at the last moment ( 12th), sneaked himself in and counter-hooked him with the right ( same thing with Tarver in the 5th)... But the problem here is that Hopkins says he's going back to the rough fighting mode and kayo Winky, well, Tito said the same and then he has been retired until this day...