Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins-Fight Predictions
With Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik and Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins set to face off this Saturday October 18, some of the best fighters in the sport and a sampling of the top boxing writers across the country lend their analysis and predictions on the highly anticipated match-up.
Promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Pavlik vs. Hopkins “UNSTOPPABLE” is a light heavyweight battle taking place at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. The fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. For Pavlik vs. Hopkins fight week updates, log onto www.hbo.com.
FIGHTERS:
Jermain Taylor
“I like Bernard Hopkins chances in this fight because of his experience and preparation for a fight. He’s always in shape, but he has to fight the perfect fight. If Kelly can keep Bernard from fighting in close and pick his punches, he could easily come away with the victory
Joe Calzaghe
“Pavlik, who is he? He might get his ass kicked by Hopkins. But I think he will win the fight, mainly due to his youth. Hopkins still has the ability to make it very messy. Regardless, he is definitely over hyped.”
Oscar De La Hoya
“I think that Bernard will beat Kelly by a decision. It will be a tough fight, but Bernard will expose Kelly’s weaknesses and win the fight.”
Shane Mosley
“I think it’s going to be a close fight but honestly I think that Hopkins is more experienced and will be able to do some things to steal the fight away from Pavlik. Pavlik is younger but I think that Bernard is going to catch him with something and knock him out. Pavlik is going to underestimate Bernard’s power and experience and around the sixth round, Bernard will dodge his jab and catch him with a counter right.”
Ricky Hatton
“That’s a tough call, Kelly is an exciting fighter on the way up, but Bernard is a superb technician. If I have to choose one, I lean towards Pavlik.”
Vernon Forrest
“Hopkins by decision and if Pavlik gets too greedy Hopkins is going to stop him. They say he can’t pull the trigger any more but I don’t think Calzaghe even did enough to win. Pavlik is a power puncher and typically when Hopkins fights power puncher he stops them. “
WRITERS:
Bert Sugar- Boxing Historian
“Pavlik is going to win by decision. He is not going to knock Bernard out. I don’t think Bernard fights like he once did. His best punch is a right jab followed by a right hit. Pavlik won’t pull the trigger. Remember, Bernard hasn’t been knocked out and has only been knocked down once. If Bernard won I wouldn’t be shocked but I would be surprised.”
Chris Mannix- Sports Illustrated
“While continuing to face elite competition, Hopkins has recently looked like a man trying to avoid a knockout loss than one seeking a significant victory. No question Pavlik will be looking for the early KO but his solid, 12-round decision over Jermain Taylor earlier this year proved to me that the power puncher can win when fights go the distance. Take Pavlik in a unanimous decision.”
Kevin Iole- Yahoo.com
“Pavlik by decision, Hopkins has been fighting to survive in his past couple of fights. In this fight Pavlik is younger and stronger, and he will out work Hopkins to get the win.”
Dan Rafael- ESPN.com
“Bernard is a great fighter, but Pavlik’s youth and activity level are going to be hard for him to overcome. It will be a tough fight, but Pavlik on a competitive decision.”
Gordon Marino- Wall Street Journal
“Pavlik in a decision over Bernard Hopkins. The ghost should be too busy and keep too much pressure on the great, but 43 year old Hopkins. Hopkins can be an octopus and Pavlik has to watch that Bernard does not tie him up or catch him with a sneaky right.”
John Falgoust- USA Today
“Pavlik by decision. Hopkins will exploit Pavlik’s heavy feet by turning him and walking him into counters. Hopkins will find it difficult staying on the inside with a guy like Pavlik who throws such good short punches, especially uppercuts. Still, Hopkins is more versatile, and even though he may do enough to earn the decision, today’s judges usually give the close rounds to the fighter who is more active regardless of accuracy or effectiveness of the punches.”
Tim Smith- New York Daily News
“I like Kelly Pavlik against Bernard Hopkins because I think Kelly is younger. I can’t see him knocking out Bernard. But I can see him outworking Hopkins for a decision.”
Franklin McNeil- Newark Star Ledger
“Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is moving up in weight to former light heavyweight king Bernard Hopkins. But when they stand side-by-side, Pavlik appears to be the bigger man. He is younger and stronger than the 43-year-old Hopkins, who is beginning to show signs of slowing down as the results of his five most recent fights indicate – he is 2-3 during that span. Pavlik is a busy fighter and Hopkins doesn’t compete more than a minute per round. This is a dangerous fight for Hopkins. Pavlik, 26, wins by unanimous decision.”
Keith Idec- Herald News
“Pavlik by unanimous decision. The crafty, forceful Hopkins will, as usual, make this his kind of fight, ugly but close. At 43, he won’t be active enough to make it all that entertaining. But he is still smart enough and skilled enough to make it very competitive.”
Bobby Cassidy- Newsday
“Bernard says he’s not afraid of a ghost but he should be afraid of this one. I think Pavlik scores a fairly comfortable decision. I would have loved this fight with both men in their primes. But right now, Pavlik’s youth, energy and strength will carry the day. Bernard is crafty will survive the 12 rounds but he’ll absorb a lot of punches.”
Lyle Fitzsimmons- Pensacola News Journal
“Pavlik KO 9–Hopkins has thrived for years against guys he could trick into playing cagey games in the ring. Pavlik is too rough and tumble to go for that sort of sublime bait, and too strong for Bernard to evade all night. I think the end of a legend.”
Michael David Smith – FanHouse.com (AOL Sports)
“Hopkins has had a long and distinguished career, but at age 43 he’s not quick enough to do damage to a skilled fighter who’s just entering his prime like Pavlik. Pavlik will win a decision.”
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
