New respect for Hopkins

[TitoFan]

While I must admit to rooting for Pavlik tonight, I gotta hand it to Hopkins. The old guy pulled it off. And he fought a brilliant fight, beating Pavlik to the punch throughout the fight, and giving him a boxing lesson and a through beating. Although I've never liked Hopkins' fighting style (too much mauling and clinching for my taste), I was pleasantly surprised to see Hopkins using his superior hand speed to fluster and frustrate Pavlik all night long.

So I take my hat off to Hopkins. In a way, it serves to further indicate to me that Trinidad's first career loss wasn't against just any old middleweight. It was against one of the all time greats. Hell... Hopkins also dominated Antonio Tarver a couple of years back, something not many people thought possible.

So while my lack of respect for Oscar de la Hoya continues, for his blatant cowardice in searching out a "legacy-cementing" fight (HA!) against a much smaller man... my respect for Hopkins goes up quite a few notches. For you gotta admire a superbly conditioned 43-year old who can turn back the hands of time, and thoroughly beat a middleweight champion who was heavily favored.

[awdleyfuturehalloffamer]

After matching taylor's speed, i thought pavlik would be able to land punches on hopkins. It didn't happen. Styles make fights.

[Fenster]

Me too.

I'm gonna stop calling him boring now. That was great to watch.

[Phil]

yeah Hopkins was brilliant, felt sorry for Pav, he looked destroyed after the fight, hopefully he goes back to middle and continues to dominate. It would be a shame to see him turn out like Lacy. Props to Hopkin's though he was the man! I always respected him but know Im a bit of a fan(ill even forgive him for faking the low blows v JC )