Sunday, October 19, 2008 Quijano: Can The Executioner play ghostbuster? By Jingo Quijano Last Round
IF YOU have been paying any attention to Bernard Hopkins’ fabulous career, you will have noticed that much of his success can be attributed to his knack for finding his opponents’ weaknesses and exploiting them to the hilt.
Of course, it doesn’t always work every time, but his fight record speaks for itself.
Up against an undefeated punching phenom with a thunderous left hook in Felix Trinidad, Hopkins boxed patiently for the first few rounds and practically pasted his right hand to his chin to guard against the hook.
After getting confirmation that he was the stronger fighter, Hopkins began to methodically execute his younger opponent, eventually scoring a stoppage win in the 12th round.
Matched up against the cerebral Oscar dela Hoya, he played a chess game with the “Golden Boy” the first few rounds, before zeroing in with a perfectly placed left hook to the liver.
Jermain Taylor was another story, though. The younger man’s speed gave him some problems, but even so both fights were close and fought on fairly even terms. And even if they fought again for a third time, it’s quite certain that Taylor will always be a sucker for Hopkins’ sneaky right hand.
Winky Wright was a foregone conclusion. The Winkster was moving up to light heavy, and with his limited power, Hopkins knew Wright couldn’t hurt him.
Antonio Tarver? Hopkins probably studied “The Magic Man” enough to know that he could find a home for his right hand. He was right on the money again, as he even scored a knockdown en route to a unanimous decision win.
The Calzaghe fight was a classic. Although the Welshman eked out a split decision win, the outcome was dicey. In the very first round, Bernard deposited Calzaghe’s rump to the canvas with that sneaky right hand.
However, in that fight Hopkins showed signs of mortality. He doesn’t fight the whole three minutes of every round anymore, and he likes to take a round off every now and then. But if they had fought as early as three years ago, Calzaghe would have tasted his first knockout loss.
GHOSTBUSTER. Today, Hopkins (48-5, 32 KOs) will meet a young undefeated champion in Kelly Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs).
Is the Executioner’s cleaver still the sharpest tool in the shed? Or will he get spooked by “The Ghost?”
STYLE MATCHUP. Hopkins comes forward behind a sharp jab but holds his hands up high while crouching for defensive purposes.
Pavlik likes to land that thudding jab to set up his anvil of a right hand. He’s not really a smooth fighter and sometimes looks awkward during exchanges. But he definitely has youth, power and confidence on his side.
EXPECT THE FIGHT: To heat up early. I’m betting the house that Hopkins is going to take his cue from the first Taylor vs. Pavlik fight and take it to the younger man in the first three rounds.
But if Pavlik weathers the storm, his conditioning and superior recuperative powers due to his youth will allow him to take over the fight in the middle rounds.
Pavlik’s higher punch output will him to take a unanimous decision, but not after getting mugged and roughed up by Hopkins. The latter may also fight dirty so Pavlik should be wary of getting cut and he must maintain his composure at all times.
IN A PERFECT WORLD. Although my official prediction is a UD win for “The Ghost” I’m actually pining for loquacious Bernard to beat reticent Kelly. Why?
I’m picking Jones to beat Calzaghe next month which will hopefully set up a rematch between Jones and Hopkins—a fight which should have made done years ago. Regardless of the result, that fight would be a great career-ender for either of these ring legends.
But don’t mind me. I’m just being sentimental.
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on the flamboyant Barangay Chairman of Day-as, Rey Canada and my Northwoods team mate Atty. Jing Jaban who celebrated their birthdays yesterday. Cheers guys!
