[Lil-lightsout]

yea, ive learned to never really bet against hopkins... but it all depends on which hopkins shows up...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wtf.gif)

[MarzB]

Hopkins is a man and at the end he will meet his match. It's crazy for him to look this far ahead first and foremost.

Can someone tell me when Hopkins looked good in the last 5 years with a fighter with fast hands?? Now we're talking about someone not only with fast but heavy hands also. He better focus on Roy Jones and Chad Dawson before thinking of climbing this hill.

I don't care how much of a vegetarian, healthy lifestyle he has. Every dog has their day and he's already pushing it..

[Byrd Man]

There's virtually no chance of this happening.

First off, Haye has to fight Ruiz. If he tries to sidetrack and fight someone else, Ruiz' lawyers will sue the everliving shit out of Haye and anyone who sanctions it.

So after Haye's mandatory, he's gotta fight Valuev again doesn't he? I know I read that there's a rematch clause in there, and I can't imagine they're gonna just sit back and let him go and fight someone else.

So when's he supposed to fight the old man? in 2011 when Bernard is gonna be 45/46?

I doubt this will happen, although it might be a decent fight.

[King Eugene]

I think Toney has a better shot at getting the decision over Haye. Hopkins would have problems with his hand speed and I dont believe he has enough pop to make Haye respect him. I'd still be rooting for Hopkins though cause you can never count this cat out. Hell he's not getting pass Jones so this isn't a fight we'd have to worry about. I just hope to God after Roy beats Hopkins he retires cause Roy facing Haye has brutal ending all over it. I think he makes it to the last bell against Dawson though.

[xxxxxx]

I would take Haye in this fight mainly because X is nearly 50 years old.lol But there's no way in hell Haye is knocking X out if the fight were to happen. Haye would prolly win a dec. based on activity.

[Warlord]

Haye would prolly win a dec. based on activity.

No he wouldn't. Hopkins has shown excellent stamina as he's moved up in weight. Regardless of what anyone says, I really do think making 160 took it's toll on him, as far as stamina is concerned. I've not seen him have the problems above 160 that he was having at middle later in his career.

Against guys like Taylor Hopkins started slow and finished strong. After his move up he was able to maintain a decent pace throughout the fight.

At this point I think dismissing Hopkins outright would be ludicrous. Hopkins has never shown any problems whatsoever dealing with power or speed, which are the 2 (only)? things Haye has going for him. And the fact that he (Hopkins) would be in with a (somewhat) legit heavy would actually be cause, imo, to give Hopkins the edge in terms of stamina. There just aren't any heavies who can throw the amount of punches that middleweights do. Period. Especially if Haye looks anything like he did against Neanderthal Valuev.

That being said, I'm not dismissing Haye either. He's fast and he's got power, there's no doubt there. If Hopkins gets old over-night, Haye walks away with the win, and even a brutal KO isn't out of the question. But I don't think much of a fighter who pins his hopes on something like that. After all, it didn't turn out so well for Trinidad, Gay La Hoya, or Pavlik.

To me, at this point, it's a pick 'em. But I wouldn't count either one out.

In the end though, we are getting ahead of ourselves. Haye's gotta get past Ruiz (which I'm not even sure he will), while Hopkins has got business with Ornelas and Jones Jr.

[xxxxxx]

No he wouldn't. Hopkins has shown excellent stamina as he's moved up in weight. Regardless of what anyone says, I really do think making 160 took it's toll on him, as far as stamina is concerned. I've not seen him have the problems above 160 that he was having at middle later in his career.

Against guys like Taylor Hopkins started slow and finished strong. After his move up he was able to maintain a decent pace throughout the fight.

At this point I think dismissing Hopkins outright would be ludicrous. Hopkins has never shown any problems whatsoever dealing with power or speed, which are the 2 (only)? things Haye has going for him. And the fact that he (Hopkins) would be in with a (somewhat) legit heavy would actually be cause, imo, to give Hopkins the edge in terms of stamina. There just aren't any heavies who can throw the amount of punches that middleweights do. Period. Especially if Haye looks anything like he did against Neanderthal Valuev.

That being said, I'm not dismissing Haye either. He's fast and he's got power, there's no doubt there. If Hopkins gets old over-night, Haye walks away with the win, and even a brutal KO isn't out of the question. But I don't think much of a fighter who pins his hopes on something like that. After all, it didn't turn out so well for Trinidad, Gay La Hoya, or Pavlik.

To me, at this point, it's a pick 'em. But I wouldn't count either one out.

In the end though, we are getting ahead of ourselves. Haye's gotta get past Ruiz (which I'm not even sure he will), while Hopkins has got business with Ornelas and Jones Jr.

I have always rooted for X. Iv'e enjoyed a lot of his fights even when others thought he was boring, but I would have to pick Haye by dec here if it ever happened. However, with that said, there is no way anybody is knocking out X at this point. He not only has a great chin, but his defense is too good to get knocked out. The dude has fought nearly 60 pro fights and I've never seen him in trouble and he has fought some of the best fighters out there over his hall of fame career.

[Douchebag]

Joe Calzaghe had B-Hop huffin and puffin. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[Lil-lightsout]

I have always rooted for X. Iv'e enjoyed a lot of his fights even when others thought he was boring, but I would have to pick Haye by dec here if it ever happened. However, with that said, there is no way anybody is knocking out X at this point. He not only has a great chin, but his defense is too good to get knocked out. The dude has fought nearly 60 pro fights and I've never seen him in trouble and he has fought some of the best fighters out there over his hall of fame career.

I am not questioning Hops chin or toughness, but he was down twice to Mercado in there first fight. Does that mean anything? I don't know, but I know Haye hits really hard as is pretty fast too. So you never know. I too doubt Haye would stop Bernard, due to his defense and chin, but you just never know.

This post has been edited by Lil-lightsout: Nov 23 2009, 12:27 PM

[Douchebag]

I am not questioning Hops chin or toughness, but he was down twice to Mercado in there first fight. Does that mean anything? I don't know, but I know Haye hits really hard as is pretty fast too. So you never know. I too doubt Haye would stop Bernard, due to his defense and chin, but you just never know.

I think Bernards defence and craftiness is good enough to get out this fight relatively unscathed, but he still loses. At this point it would take a special fighter to even get a knockdown against Hops. Haye is not a special fighter, IMO.