FightHype's staff predictions are in for this weekend's intriguing matchup when devastating knock-out artist Kelly Pavlik meets future Hall of Fame boxing legend Bernard Hopkins at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View. Who will win? Who will lose? Get the answers to these questions and more in FightHype's staff predictions.
Ben "The Hype" Thompson - Pavlik by Unanimous Decision
Despite being the lesser skilled fighter in the ring come Saturday night, Pavlik is too young, too strong and too hungry to let Hopkins potshot his way to a boring decision. Expect Bernard to make him miss and steal some close rounds early, but as the fight wears on, the fading legs of ol' Snaggletooth will fail him and the constant, methodical pressure of Pavlik will be enough to sweep the late rounds on the judges scorecards. Personally, I think a stoppage would be great as I'm getting a little bored with seeing some of these old ass men trying to cash in on one last payday. A brutal beatdown is the only thing that'll make some of these guys ride off into the sunset. Unfortunately, I just don't think Pavlik will have enough tools to catch a guy as good at surviving as Hopkins.
Percy "The Talent" Crawford - Pavlik by Unanimous Decision
Hopkins is just not active enough in there anymore. His hit-and-hold style is not only an eyesore for the fans, but for the judges as well. I don't think Pavlik will catch him clean enough to put him away, but the damage will definitely be done. I see an ugly fight with Hopkins getting a point deduction for holding. The Executioner just doesn't want to mix it up anymore. Tarver one week and Bernard the next...can you say new blood please!
Al "The Monster" Mermini - Hopkins TKO11
I can't believe I am going this way. For months, I felt Pavlik would shut B-hop down. The more I break this fight down, the more I see it playing out like this...Bernard will use his underrated defense and crafty veteran skill to smother Pavlik's unrelenting offense. I see B-hop getting dirty in this one, especially in the clinches. He will use his weight and size to lean on Pavlik, wearing him down over the course of the fight and possibly finding Kelly's chin with an elbow or maybe he'll even bang away on the far side thigh where the ref won't see. Basically, I expect another Felix Trinidad type performance. I just can't see Bernard being at the end of Pavlik's shots where they are the most effective. Pavlik looks great against guys that come to him, but I can't really remember him really destroying someone who tried to stink it out and go defensive. Bernard is a wizard at mixing in his offense behind a defensive cloak. It is certainly better for boxing if Pavlik can bang the old man out quickly, however, I just don't see it going down like that. I see Bernard giving away the opening rounds and coming on late. Kelly ain't the hardest guy in the world to connect on. To me, it's either a Pavlik win by split decision in a dirty, nasty, stinky, defensive clinchfest or a Hopkins TKO. I'm going with the latter!
Nick Sanchez - Pavlik TKO10
Besides the fact that Pavlik is younger, faster and arguably stronger, I also have to take into consideration Freddie Roach's concern for the health of Hopkins as being the reason why he did not want to help train him for this battle. The fact that Roach said Hopkins walked to the wrong corner not once, not twice, but 4 times during the Calzaghi fight...well...that says a lot. Even though Pavlik is fighting heavier than usual, I see him as one of those fighters that will bring his pop up the scale with him. He'll hit harder than Calzaghe ever did...I think A LOT harder! Look for Pavlik to use his jab and straight rights to break the 40-something-year-old body of Hopkins down and be the first to stop the old man.
Simon Ruvalcaba - Pavlik by Split Decision
Another big fight where I wanna take Hopkins, but I just don't feel he will win. I think Pavlik starts fast, but in the middle rounds, look for Hopkins to make his run in this one. He might hurt or drop Pavlik around the eighth round and then cruise as if he has the fight won, allowing Pavlik to finish with the upper hand and squeek out the decision.
Sean Malone - Pavlik by Unanimous Decision
Charles Presnell - Pavlik by Decision
Hopkins is slick enough and smart enough not to take a beating, however, he does have a problem with throwing enough punches when he's defending against major firepower. I expect this one to look like Taylor-Hopkins or Calzaghe-Hopkins. Hopkins will go on to say that he thought he won the fight and it might be slightly debatable. Nonetheless, the majority will agree with a Pavlik decision by scores around 116-112, give or take a round.
Steve Coleman - Hopkins by Decision
I think Nard's defense and movement will prove too much for Pavlik. Kelly has only fought cats who don't have defense.
Rob Abreu - Pavlik KO9
James Almonte - Pavlik by Decision
Kenny Nam - Pavlik by Unanimous Decision
Expect a score of 116-112.
Ed Garza - Pavlik by Decision
Pavlik wins this one by decision. Hopkins is too far past his prime to offer up any real competition.
Josh Jordon - Pavlik by Unanimous Decision
I think Kelly is gonna win like a 9-3 or 8-4 decision. Pavlik's workrate is simply too much for Bernard at this stage. If Joe C.'s pitty-pat punch output can keep Hopkins from firing, I think Kelly's constant jab and right hand delivered with some pop will be even more effective. Bernard is too skillful and knows all the tricks in the book to get knocked out, but I don't think he'll bring enough offense to the table to keep Pavlik off of
him.
Joey "Titlebelt" Karash - Pavlik by Split Decision
Joseph "falvoa" Falvo - Pavlik by Unanimous Decision
I see the old vet Hopkins landing some shots and perhaps having his moments, but the most likely result will be Pavlik outworking and outscoring the old man.
Derek Batista - Pavlik by Unanimous Decision
I think Pavlik is going to win a clearcut unanimous decision.
Jamel Delrio - Pavlik by Decision
I'm going with Pavlik to win by decision. Hopkins will come off slick and defensive, use his hopping hook and try to tie pavlik up, which will work for some time, but in the later rounds, I believe Pavlik's pressure will cause Hopkins to overwork himself. I don't believe I can see hopkins being KO'd, but who knows? Pavlik has the aggression and power to do it, but Hopkins is too old school and will be using his old school tactics of cheating and grabbing if it comes to a point where he feels he's under too much pressure.
John Tandy (Editor, www.ultimateboxingresults.com) - Pavlik by Decision
Hopkins is currently a faded force, but at 43 years old, he is still a match for anyone out there. He has never been stopped in 55 fights and has already won a world title up at light heavy. The weight is the only factor here for me in regards to Pavlik winning this fight. He has the superior workrate and is the younger, undefeated fighter, but he is a middleweight and has never had a problem making the 160lb limit, whereas Hopkins has really filled out well into a big, strong 175lb fighter as he proved in his win over Antonio Tarver and then almost beating super middleweight king Joe Calzaghe where the strength factor was really noticeable over the first 6 rounds. Hopkins also knows every trick in the book and will be far more than Pavlik has ever had to deal with before. Pavlik, on the other hand, has already beaten Jermain Taylor convincingly twice whereas Hopkins struggled in both of their battles. That said, Pavlik has been down before and was lucky to get through the first Jermain Taylor fight when he was knocked down and almost out. Hopkins has the power to cause him similar problems. Pavlik has amazing power in his right hand and although Hopkins has faced big punchers before, it will be interesting if Pavlik does land one flush as he has great finishing abilities. The likelihood, however, is that Hopkins will not allow this and will prove to be too slippery of a customer. I think if Pavlik gets through the first 5-6 rounds, he should go on to win on the cards, but there are so many things that can turn this fight. Finally a Bernard Hopkins fight that I am actually interested in watching...it also could be his last.