docbungle

So it's this Saturday. DeLaHoya is a huge underdog for once in his career. Hopkins hasn't lost in something like 11 years, and that was to a Roy Jones Jr who was in his prime, knocking out people left and right.

Hopkins is bigger, stronger, more experienced, and a slicker boxer. Oscar is more......well, nothing, actually. More popular, and that's about it. I still believe he has a good chance to win, though. Hopkins Knocked out Trinidad because of Trinidad's straight-forward style of fighting. I don't think Oscar fights that way, and I think he'll be a lot tougher of a challenge for Hopkins than was Tito.

The question is endurance. Hopkins has it. Will DeLaHoya? He surely didn't in his last fight against Sturm (a fighter I think doesn't get enough credit for his win over Oscar...he looked like a damn good fighter to me).

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docbungle

What, no boxing fans? I'll just talk to myself then.

I think De La Hoya will start out cautious because he always does, and I think Hopkins will start out cautious also because he never wants to underestimate an opponent. After De La Hoya feels Hopkins' power, he will be a bit concerned, but when Hopkins feels De La Hoya's power, Hopkins will be suprised by it, as he isn't used to getting hit as much as De La Hoya is going to hit him (even though his face looks as if it's been hit constantly since birth).

I think Hopkins is in for a suprise.

De La Hoya will win a decision in one of the biggest upsets of all time.

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Anomaly_

There are boxing fans here (although, apparently most are too good for MMA).

Anyway, Hopkins is not going to lose. I agree Hopkins will remain tentative, but do not mistake that as respect for De La Hoya's power (which is almost non-existant at middleweight). His effective jab will also be limited by the reach disadvantage and Hopkins' height. To me this adds up to a late round TKO for Hopkins. If it goes to a decision though, I would not be surprised in the least if a beaten De La Hoya gets the UD. The endless comparisons to Leonard-Hagler are fun but the differences are enough that the outcome will be quite different.

bond007

I think Oscar's in over his head. the only question will be whether it goes the distance, or if Hopkins wins by TKO.

mb99usa

Everyone keeps saying TKO by Hopkins. I'm looking for him to get a straight KO on De La Hoya no later than the 5th. They are both good fighters but I think Hopkins has too much power for De La Hoya.

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DDDDave

De La Hoya is a pretty boy. Hopkins is tough and mean. Penitentiary tough.

Hopkins has the eye of the tiger.

Hopkins by KO.

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docbungle

I think De La Hoya showed a lot of strength when KOing Vargas that no one thought he had. Granted, Vargas is no Hopkins. I agree that all things point to Hopkins winning, and winning decisively. I just think Oscar will dig down deep and make this the crowning achievement of his career.

I like Hopkins. He's an awesome boxer, and very strong. But he hasn't really fought anyone of elite status other than Jones jr (loss) and Tito (win by KO). I am one of the people who think De La Hoya owned Trinidad and could have knocked him out if he didn't pitter-pat around for the last part of the fight. Oscar has also fought many better fighters than has Hopkins, and beat them.

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Kurant

Hopkins is too schooled, too discipline, and has seen everything.. He's smart, and doesn't chance anything. YOu don't get 18 title defenses, reguardless of who they are by not knowing your way around the ring. Personally, DLH has nothing appealing about his boxing at 160, besides his handspeed. He's too small to be fighting at 160, IMO. I personally don't think Oscar can handle the weight at 160. However, he looked remarkable compared to the Sturm fight at wiegh ins today.

I think this fight ends 1 of 2 ways, DLH won't get the win by descision. Yes, it's Vegas, but the only way it goes 12 IMO, is a Hopkins win. He won't get involved in an inside fight, he's too smart for that. He will run DLH till he's tired like a rag doll, then pick him apart.

I'm looking to see DLH win the first couple rounds, then Hopkins to start picking him apart. I hate to say it, but Hopkins is too big, and too strong. DLH was already much weaker then Vargas (reguardless of the win, he was still physcially weaker). Mosely was still able to push him around, and Sturm absolutley dominated DLH inside, he's physcially ruined Oscar. None of the are Hopkins, as good as Hopkins, as smart as Hopkins. The only prayer DLH has, is catching Hopkins, and getting the fight to stop with a huge flurry. I don't think he can knock him out, but his power may surprise me. I expect Hopkins to win, but I won't be surprised if we see him laying on his back either. And I woulden't considering one of the biggest upsets ever. DLH is better then that.

Yes, DLH has fought better opponents, but not at 160. It's a whole different game. They are a tad slower, with heavier hands, and DLH experienced how tough it is. It's more of a physical game at 160, and Hopkins has mastered it. You know, there are plenty of guys at 154 that can make the leap to 160 and fight Hopkins. None of them even think about it. The only guy who's let it be known he wants a piece of Hopkins besides DLH, is Jermaine Taylor, and I think Taylor has the ability. He's bigger, stronger, and that jab is unstoppable.

crewsor

I'm looking forward to this one. From what I've seen of De La Hoya recently, I can't see him stopping Hopkins. If it goes the distance anything can happen. But realistically I gotta think its a KO for Hopkins. Either way I expect a good fight.

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crewsor

Disappointing fight. De La Hoya goes down for the first time from a phantom blow? WTF.

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Anomaly_

Bernard started slow but got into his rhythm as expected. I love that the knockout was from a shot to the liver--that is the mark of a consummate boxer, not some brawling headhunter. Both men can retire having accomplished more or less what they set out to do in boxing. Maybe Hopkins will even decide to spring for some dental work.

Kurant

Right in the liver. Phantom punch? Come on man. Doesn't get any better.

I personally think Hopkins fights Jermaine Taylor for #20, and then Jones to end his career.

omega2K4

Man. I missed this fight. I was too busy watching the Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators on TV.

Go Vols!

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docbungle

Dissapointing fight. I didn't see dominance from either of them. Hopkins was beginning to turn it up though. And it did look as if De La Hoya was beginning to have a hard time once Hopkins deciding to start hitting him. I'd like to see a rematch, if only so I can get a better deal for what I paid for the fight.

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Kurant

There won't be a rematch - Hopkins said he doesn't want to fight when he's 40. He won't wait around for another DLH fight.

He will defend #20, then I really, truly think Hopkins and Jones make that fight happen. That will be Hopkins last fight.

Like I said, Hopkins is bigger, stronger, and smarter. He could sense weakness, and when he realized he could get one or two extra punchs throwing stinging jabs and sweeping left hooks to DLH's gloves, or head, knocking him off balance. He took advantage, threw all his body weight into every punch, and DLH was overpowered, overmatched. He took away the flurries, and IMO, he probably would not have lost antoher round from the 7th on.

bond007

look for a Hopkins-Tarver matchup.

Zesty

LIVER SHOT!!! YES YES!!!
Its a knock out you feel, not like a head knock out where you wake-up asking what happend

Ace_O_Spades

quoted for truth

you get hit in the midsection, and you go down, and you want to get up, but it just hurts too much

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