Enlightening Ignorance

I want to start by saying that I am unquestionably one of the biggest Hopkins fans alive. He is one of the most fundamentally sound boxers to ever step in a ring. I have followed his career ever since I saw him dismantle Antwun Echols with one hand, back in 2000. Fights where people criticized him for “playing it safe,” and “never taking chances”; I saw as strategically brilliant boxing exhibitions.

However, I didn’t think the Calzaghe fight was a good fight for him, and I don’t think this October’s Pavlik fight is a good one for him either. I didn’t like the Calzaghe fight because I knew Calzaghe’s punch volume would be a problem for him, at this point in his career and life. Not to mention the fact that Joe Calzaghe is easily one of the top 3 boxers in the world right now. Bernard has always been a counter puncher that uses his opponents mistakes against them, and Calzaghe make very few mistakes.

 I don’t like the Pavlik fight because although Kelly Pavlik is not the prettiest boxer, he has improved considerably in the last two years. He has both wins over Jermaine Talyor and the ass whooping he put on Edison Miranda to prove that. At first sight it’s conceivable that Hopkins can out fox him, and keep him off balance just enough to win a close decision, right? The 30 year old Hopkins definitely could, but I’m not so sure the Hopkins of today can. I was very surprised at the boxing fundamentals Pavlik showed in his second win over Taylor. I didn’t realize he could so effectively use his jab to neutralize his opponents offense. Also very important is the fact that Pavlik has sledge hammer like punching power. Bernard has the habit of sometimes waiting too long for his opponent to make a mistake, and as a result ends up throwing and landing very few punches per round. Pavlik has shown that not only can he let his hands go when he want to, but he can also take a punch or two. In all honesty, Hopkins won’t hurt him, and even thought I have never seen Bernard hurt, he has probably never faced anyone with Pavliks power; the closest probably being Felix Trinidad.

Like I said, I love Hopkins, and because of that I hate the fact that he’s doing this to his career at this point. Especially since he had gone undefeated in over a decade before he lost to Taylor. Although he may feel he has plenty of boxing left in him, the reality is, he’s no longer in the prime of his career. Kelly Pavlik on the other hand, is a young heavy hitting middle weight who has never lost a fight, and is in his prime. I can’t see myself ever pulling for anyone other than Hopkins in a Hopkins fight, so I’ll be watching this one with my fingers crossed. As a man with nothing left to prove in this sport, and based on the talent level of these last two opponents, I think Bernard needs to realize it might be time to call it quits. I wish him luck thought!!