Hopkins’ win solidifies his status as one of the greatest fighters who ever lived…

By Rui Zheng

Coming into the fight Saturday night, there was no reason to believe that Bernard Hopkins could win against the younger, more powerful Kelly Pavlik.  A few months prior, the boxing world took notice when Hopkins struggled with Calzaghe en route to a decision loss.  In the bout with Calzaghe, Hopkins appeared to clinch more often than he landed punches while the work rate and pressure of Calzaghe allowed the Welshman to land more punches against Hopkins than any opponent in history. 

Imagine how everything could change within the span of a few months.

I for one considered Hopkins finished and was hoping that the Executioner would finally hang up the gloves.  His fights against Wright and Calzaghe were both lackluster performances even for Bernard Hopkins-standards.  Apparent stamina problems forced Hopkins to clinch and hold more often than he had ever done previously and though he was still a brilliant tactician inside the ring, it just seemed he couldn’t psychically compete with the faster fighters in boxing.

Kelly Pavlik seemed like the next big star in boxing.  He had the Rocky-esque background of growing up on the streets of Youngstown, he had an undefeated record, and most of all he could knock people out.  Not only was Pavlik knocking people out, but he was knocking opponents out in a manner in which we weren’t used to seeing.  When matched up against the physically imposing Edison Miranda, it was Pavlik who stopped the power-punching Colombian.  When he finally received a middleweight title shot at champion Jermain Taylor, Pavlik rose from the canvas to knock Taylor out cold.  As if one win over Taylor wasn’t adamant enough, Pavlik reasserted his position of the best middleweight in the world by defeating Taylor again in a rematch.  Pavlik was on top of the world, and yet after potential fights with Paul Williams, Winky Wright, and Arthur Abraham never materialized, Pavlik’s only option for a lucrative match was against Bernard Hopkins.

Which brings us back to Saturday night.  For those of you who didn’t see it, rest assured it was the greatest fight in the career of Hopkins.  Greater than his knockout win over Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad.  Greater against his first fight as a light heavyweight in which he dominated the champion Antonio Tarver.  Hopkins, at the advanced age of 43, faced a prime, undefeated champion who was on every pound-for-pound list around.  And not only did Hopkins defeat Pavlik, but he utterly embarrassed the middleweight champion in a fashion that was stunning to watch.  Throughout the fight, Hopkins utilized angles and combinations that left Pavlik mesmerized and unable to let his hands go.  For every jab Pavlik managed to paw out, Hopkins would counter with a right hand.  And from rounds 1 to 12, there was not a single round that I gave to Pavlik.  When Hopkins took on Trinidad for the undisputed middleweight championship of the world, Trinidad had already been exposed by Oscar De La Hoya 2 years prior.  Hopkins used the De La Hoya blueprint on how to defeat Trinidad and executed it to perfection.  But with the case of Pavlik, here was a fighter who admitted that he saw himself fighting in the heavyweight division before his career is over.  Pavlik appeared to be the next great middleweight champion for years to come, and although he does retain his middleweight titles, Pavlik’s aura of invincibility has been thoroughly shattered.  

For Bernard Hopkins, there are two logical opponents: the winner of the Calzaghe/Jones matchup and Chad Dawson, who is a young, undefeated light heavyweight champion who recently beat Antonio Tarver in a lopsided decision victory.  Hopkins admits that his first priority would be the winner of the upcoming fight between Calzaghe and Jones. 

"I would fight Roy in a heartbeat. I would even go to England and fight Calzaghe if he beats Roy,” Hopkins stated. 

Hopkins’ best bet would be for a Jones victory, for it would set up a fight that’s a decade late, but an intriguing fight nonetheless.  After sham of a fight that was Hopkins/Calzaghe, I for one would not pay a dime to watch that matchup.  But back to the prospect of Hopkins facing Dawson; Dawson is a fundamentally sound southpaw who has incredibly fast hands and good pop with either hand.  He throws incredibly fluid combinations and is one of the best young fighters around.  A fight between Hopkins and Dawson would be a risky fight for both individuals.  For Hopkins, he is taking on a naturally bigger man who is much faster, hits much harder, and who will be willing to prove a point against a legend.  For Dawson, he is taking on a fighter who will utilize movements and subtle tricks and tactics in the ring that he’s never seen before.  Hopkins will be by far the greatest defensive fighter Dawson has ever faced.  The ball is in Hopkins’ hands now.

With his win over Pavlik, Hopkins climbs up my pound-for-pound list:

1.) Joe Calzaghe
2.) Manny Pacquiao
3.) Juan Manuel Marquez
4.) Bernard Hopkins
5.) Antonio Margarito
6.) Cristian Mijares
7.) Israel Vazquez
8.) Chad Dawson
9.) Miguel Cotto
10.) Paul Williams