Preview: Taylor-Hopkins II
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Speed & Power
This is where the 27-40 age gap really comes into play. Both fighters proved in the first fight that they can handle the other’s power shot, but Taylor’s faster and getting more powerful; Hopkins’ power appears to be fading. Advantage Taylor.
Skills
They come no craftier than Hopkins. His record speaks for itself — the man knows how to win. His just-enough strategy bit him in the ass in the first fight, but we can count on him getting a quicker start in the rematch. Advantage Hopkins.
Experience
Hopkins. Duh. Taylor, though, gained valuable experience in the first fight. I don’t think he’ll be so overwhelmed by the scene. Still… Advantage Hopkins.
Room To Improve
Hopkins likes to point to the fact that his brilliant career includes three rematches, and he scored knockouts in all three. It’s worth noting that those rematches occurred in 1995 (Segundo Mercado), 1999 (Robert Allen), and 2000 (Antwun Echols). Taylor chased Hopkins all over the ring in the first fight and was clearly running out of gas in the late rounds. (Yes, getting pounded by Hopkins had something to do with that as well.)
Much has been made of how green Taylor looked in the first fight, but he still managed to pull out a win. Hopkins now knows he can’t just cruise through and rely on the deferential treatment usually afforded a champion, but if Taylor can stay calm, pace himself, and pick his shots more carefully, he can perform on a much higher level than he displayed in the first fight. Advantage Taylor.
Motivation
It’s pretty high for both fighters. Taylor still has to prove he can beat Hopkins, as the majority of boxing experts and fans believe Hopkins fought well enough to keep his title.
Hopkins is coming to the end of his career. If he can win this bout he says he’ll retire, and what a victory on which to go out. He also believes he was robbed by the judges in the first fight. Advantage Hopkins.
Prediction
They don’t come much closer than this. Oddsmakers have it basically even, and I’m inclined to agree. I went with Taylor in the first fight, and I’m in the small minority that scored it for Taylor. I’ve read and heard a lot of good arguments for Hopkins, many by writers and fans far more knowledgeable than myself, but I’m staying out on a limb. Taylor by UD.
