Bernard Hopkins age-defying career continues April 28 when the 47-year-old puts his light heavyweight championship on the line against 29-year-old Chad Dawson in a rematch.
Their first fight ended bizarrely a few months ago in Los Angeles . After a pretty even first round, Dawson seized control in round two. He was keeping Hopkins off stride with his jab. He looked quicker, stronger and extremely determined.
Then it happened.
Near the center of the ring, Dawson lifted up Hopkins and shoved him out of a clinch. Down went Hopkins awkwardly on his left shoulder. After a lengthy discussion, referee Pat Russell called the fight a knockout victory for Dawson . A month later a no-contest rendered the first bout null and void setting up their rematch in Atlantic City . Nobody was happy, including boxing fans and the participants.
Nevertheless, the psychology of the rematch is very intriguing.
Defending champion Hopkins (52-5, 32 KOs ) is a master in the ring. The Houdini like Hopkins knows every trick in the book. Over the years, his style has evolved from being a razor-sharp technician into a cagey master craftsman. Hopkins ring intelligence is second to none.
?I want him to come to me, stick his chin out, and let me hit him,? said Hopkins yesterday during a conference call.? I mean he can come the way we want to come, but I don?t think a 29-year-old or a 30-year-old right now is going to dance away from a 47-year-old.?
Dawson (30-1, 17 KOs ) does most things in the ring well. His two-fisted attack is crisp and consistent. His advantages include speed, reach and height. His long right jab could be the key that unlocks the Hopkins mystery. Dawson holds victories over Tomasz Adamek, Glen Johnson, and Antonio Tarver and is the betting favorite going into the fight.
He expects Hopkins to be at his best.
?We know Bernard is not going to come in the same fighter he was the last fight.? Dawson said. ?We know he?s a little stronger than he was the last fight. I hope Bernard comes to fight. He took the fight. He wanted the fight. So hopefully we?ll be fighting on the 28th and we?ll give our fans their money?s worth.?
Dawson will enter ring with laser like focus. Hopkins is equally motivated but for a different reason. Dawson is motivated to rid the boxing world of the Hopkins influence, while Hopkins seeks redemption. ?Bad Chad ? will need to stay relaxed and stick to his game plan. “B-Hop” will look to punch in spots and smoother Dawson . The old master knows all the angle?s and when to apply them.
Hopkins thinks his advantage could be on the inside. Dawson wants space, while Hopkins will look to surprise the younger fighter with spurts of activity. Dawson will become more aggressive as the fight goes on, using his jab.
Hopkins will battle, but this boxing scribe is picking Dawson to win by a close decision.
