Although the legendary B-HOP looked a tad slower than the 46 year old version of himself who beat Pascal, he certainly looked better than the version of Hopkins who faced Chad Dawson last year.
It was the usual slow-paced, tactical, strategic, sometimes messy Bernard Hopkins fight. But Hopkins used the ‘old pro game’ on Cloud, making him look amateurish at times.
On a few occasions, Cloud had B-HOP against the ropes and the crafty veteran made Tavoris miss so badly his momentum almost carried him out of the ring.
There wasn’t a ton of action, as it came in spurts – But there was a lot of moving, grappling, wrestling and holding, which is just how the crafty Hopkins likes it.
Nevertheless, there was still some good, high-intensity action… It just came in small, intermittent frames. You know, the typical Hopkins fight. Watching Bernard Hopkins ply his trade these days is like watching NFL Football. The games last 3 hours but there’s only about 11 or 12 minutes of actual play.
Hopkins’ bouts go 12 rounds but for only a portion of the 36 minutes is there actual engagement in the form of mano y mano. Credit to B-HOP for having the skills to effectively throw his opponents off their game-plans, dictate the tempo, fight in spurts and come out on top.
In the end last night, the scores were in Hopkins’ favor: 116-112 (twice) and 117-111.
Given his performance last night over a previously unbeaten 31 year old champion in his prime, there’s no indication the 48 year old Hopkins has any immediate plans to step away from the sport.
So who is next for Bernard Hopkins?
Nathan Cleverly WBO Light Heavyweight Champion (25-0, 12 KO) Age: 26
This is the most likely opponent. Like Cloud prior to last night, he’s unbeaten, untested and owns a major world title. Moreover, unlike Cloud, the UK’s Nathan Cleverly has a decent following. Hopkins vs Cleverly in the UK would be huge, and perhaps even bigger than Hopkins’ bouts in Canada against Canadian Jean Pascal in 2010 and 2011.
Next Fight: April 20, Robin Krasniqi 39-2-0, 15 KO
Lucian Bute Former IBF Super Middleweight Champion 31-1, 24 KO Age: 33
Given the success of Hopkins vs Pascal 1 and 2 in Canada, B-HOP may venture north again to face the popular Lucian Bute. Although Lucian’s stock has dropped a bit since he was bulldozed by Carl Froch last May, the public might accept this bout. After all, Bute has a solid fan base, is 31-1 with 24 KOs and a former IBF Super Middleweight Champion with much to prove.
But Lucian may have a big-money rematch on the horizon with Carl Froch. As a result, his availability might depend on the outcome of Froch vs Kessler 2 in May.
Next Fight: May 25, Opponent TBD
Carl Froch IBF Super Middleweight Champion 30-2, 22 KO Age: 35
Next Fight: Mikkel Kessler, May 25th
Froch will turn 36 in July and is hinting retirement may be around the corner. If he defeats Kessler in their rematch in May, perhaps ‘The Cobra’ would be willing to ‘test the waters’ at Light Heavyweight before calling it quits? There’s no doubt Hopkins vs Froch would be huge given both fighters’ professional pedigrees and mainstream appeal.
However, the charismatic Froch has other big money options. If he defeats Kessler, rematches with Andre Ward and Lucian Bute will be well within his reach.
Andre Ward Top 3 Pound-for Pound Fighter RING/Lineal Super Middleweight Champion 26-0, 14 KOS Age: 29
Next Fight: TBD
Immediately after defeating Cloud last night, Bernard Hopkins leaned over the ring apron and told Andre Ward, who was commenting for HBO, there’s not enough money out there to put the two of them in the ring together. But regardless of what Hopkins said, if there’s anyone who has a price it’s B-HOP.
Although Ward would be a clear favorite, even at light heavyweight, this fight intrigues because Ward is a better style match-up for Hopkins than the long, rangly southpaw Chad Dawson.
Let’s put this one in our back pocket, though. The money required to get Hopkins in the ring with Ward is probably far too great to ever make Ward vs Hopkins come to fruition.
Chad Dawson RING/ Lineal Light Heavyweight Champion 31-2, 17 KOs Age: 30
Next Fight: May 25th, Jean Pascal
Yawn. We’ve already Hopkins vs Dawson twice. These fighters have styles that, when paired against the other, would make the creators of Unisom jealous. (By the way, Unisom is an over-the-counter sleeping aide)
If you have trouble falling asleep tonight, try watching Hopkins vs Dawson 2. That’ll surely do the job.
Hopkins vs Dawson III wont happen.
Beibut Shumenov WBA Light Heavyweight Champion 13-1, 8 KOs Age: 29
Next Fight: ?
Who?
With much more high-profile opponents out there, its hard to see Hopkins fighting Shumenov. He has yet to defeat an elite opponent, hasn’t fought since July and still has no opponent lined-up. Moreover, he has only 14 fights on his resume. Will the masses accept Hopkins vs a low-profile opponent with only 14 bouts? Doubt it.
Sergey Kovalev Light Heavyweight Contender 20-0-1, 18 KOs Age: 29
Next Fight: TBD
Kovalev is the hottest light heavyweight prospect today. He has fearsome punching power and would likely be every bit as dangerous as Bute, Froch and Cleverly, if not more of a threat.
Two problems: 1) He doesn’t have a world title and 2) He’s still an unknown quantity to the masses. On the business end, Hopkins can partake in a number of more high-profile fights with the same or fewer risks.
But if Kovalev can thrust himself into the limelight with a solid win over a ‘name’ fighter, such as Chad Dawson or Jean Pascal, he could possibly face B-HOP within a year.
But keep in mind, Hopkins eats up heavy punchers who come straight forward so, from a stylistic perspective, Hopkins vs Kovalev might be favorable to Team Hopkins despite Kovalev’s vaunted power.
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Honorable Mentions Tony Bellew, 19-1, 12 KO Juergen Braehmer, 39-2, 30 KO Karo Murat, 25-1-1, 15 KO Vyacheslav Uzelkov, 28-2-0, 17 KO
IBF Rankings Prior to last night, the IBF Light Heavyweight ratings were as follows:
1 Unrated 2 Karo Murat 3 Vyacheslav Uzelkov 4 Bernard Hopkins 5 Jurgen Brahmer 6 Sergey Kovalev
If the IBF enforces its policies , Hopkins may have to face the likes of Juergen Braehmer (39-2, 30 KO) or Kovalev soon. Or perhaps he’ll be forced to fight Murat or Uzelkov…. The problem is: Who are they?
Whoever Bernard Hopkins fights next, his opponent will become part of history, win or lose.
