Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson

By Paul Grossinger

Saturday, November 5th

The Old Man of the Mountain, Bernard Hopkins (53-5-2-1), is preparing to fight yet another decades-younger opponent: Chad Dawson (31-1). Hopkins, also nicknamed The Executioner is fresh off a beat down victory over 26 year old French titlist Jean Pascal. Even at 46, Hopkins look ageless and he will put his incredible fitness to the test on November 5th in a fight for the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship!

He will now face Chad Dawson. Once nicknamed Bad for his tough, effective style, Dawson raced out to a career record 29-0. Two years ago, he was the biggest force in light heavyweight boxing and was fresh off two victories each over Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver. Combined with his earlier victory over titlist Tomas Adamek, Dawson was gaining fame and popularity. But his next bout was an uninspiring loss to Jean Pascal that was marked by an accidental head butt to end it. Dawson's fame, and his skills, have not yet fully recovered

Looking at the fight, Dawson will have a difficult time defeating the ageless Hopkins. The Executioner is the wily veteran of boxing; so slick in the ring that he seems to slide between punches while patiently waiting for his opportunities. A notoriously slow starter, Hopkins will look to outwork Dawson in the middle and later rounds. That strategy should make for an interesting fight because Dawson is known for drawing out his fights and winning by technical decision. Perhaps Hopkins will buck his reputation and attack Dawson aggressively from the opening bell. That strategy worked to crush Jean Pascal and, considering the Frenchman derailed Dawson's career, it might work on him as well.

Look for Dawson to try and use his right jab effectively to keep Dawson at bay while setting up his left hand. A southpaw, Dawson will look to use that to his advantage. But, at 46, Hopkins has experience with every strategy and, if he combines his early aggressiveness from the Pascal fight with his traditional durability in the later rounds, The Executioner is likely to retain his title.

From Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson to Boxing Blog

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