Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith - Dec 17

[JCS]

Allegedly this is his farewell match...

http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/1 ... -joe-smith

[Horse]

Who cares about Joe Smith?

I don't get it.

[gilgamesh]

I like this fight. Smith has power, but that's all we know for sure. Hopkins is as crafty as they come, but at now over 50 years old...I mean even Hopkins has to get too old for this sport eventually. I'd definitely watch this fight and the possibilities would be intriguing.

Considering Hopkins hasn't scored a KO in over a decade the strategy for Smith would be to pressure the hell out of the old man and try his best to walk through him or wear him out. I know Hopkins has never had stamina issues, but surely you'd think a faster pace would have to favor the significantly younger fighter when the older fighter is in his 50's. Smith is a big, muscularly built dude so he'd have to pace himself some, but Hopkins definitely has the more refined technique even at his age so the strategy for Smith it would seem to me would be to make the fight as physical as possible and wear out the older Hopkins.

Hopkins is obviously gonna be trying to time Smith with counter right hands and make him reluctant to throw so he can outbox him...Basically the same way he's won all of the fights he's won for the last several years.

[BAD INTENTIONS]

Who cares about Joe Smith?

I don't get it.

I don't know why a NY fighter and a Philly fighter are fighting in LA.

You don't think it's impressive for a guy pushing 52 to fight against:
Ring #8
ESPN #9
Boxrec #6
Fightnews #10

Got a guy coming off his biggest win getting a chance in the spotlight.

[boxing_rocks]

I wish modern fighters were like Hopkins willing to take on anybody and prove that they are better and not having "risk vs reward" as their primary concern.

[diddy]

Hopkins waltzes to a decision win....IF he's not totally shot. Which he may be. 2 years gone. I suspect Bernard believes he's got enough left to take this kid to school tho. Or he wouldn't be bothering.

[Freedom2013]

Hopkins will win by UD.

[SFW]

Hopkins will win by UD.

I hope so. But I wouldn't bet on it. It's too hard to predict how he will hold up, is he just gonna be in survival mode for 12 rounds like his last fight, how many times can the wizard turn back the clock.. I know I'll be pulling for him big time I hope he gets the win doesn't take much damage and retires.

[boxingknockout]

Hopkins would never lose to a white boy!

[diddy]

Hopkins will win by UD.

I hope so. But I wouldn't bet on it. It's too hard to predict how he will hold up, is he just gonna be in survival mode for 12 rounds like his last fight, how many times can the wizard turn back the clock.. I know I'll be pulling for him big time I hope he gets the win doesn't take much damage and retires.

Running from Kovalev and running from Joe Smith are 2 very different things. There's no comparing these 2 fighters.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

Ridiculous

[geronimo]

Strange match. We have a 51 years old fighter who doesn't fight since 2014. In the other side we have a young fighter wha has defeated a world class fighter like Fonfara. But is the only importnat fight of his career. Every one knows the incredible defense skills of B-Hop, but is very old for sport now. The probabilities that Hopkins will lose, for me, are high. Even by KO, although he never lost in that way.

[PsychoGamerTwo]

Strange match. We have a 51 years old fighter who doesn't fight since 2014. In the other side we have a young fighter wha has defeated a world class fighter like Fonfara. But is the only importnat fight of his career. Every one knows the incredible defense skills of B-Hop, but is very old for sport now. The probabilities that Hopkins will lose, for me, are high. Even by KO, although he never lost in that way.

He went 12 with Kovalev. And now this (pre Fonfara, unknown) bum is gonna knock him out? B-Hop would still win & go the distance with him at 55.

[Killer Blow]

I've seen a couple Joe Smith interviews and he seems like a cool guy. Best of luck to both.

[jujigatame]

Can't say I find this too interesting. It'll probably be a very ugly fight, and the only question it answers is "how badly has the great Bernard Hopkins deteriorated a month from his 52nd birthday?"

[gilgamesh]

If Smith is worth his salt as a contender he should be able to beat the old man. Hopkins is arguably the best we've ever seen at least as far as fighters fighting on past the age of 45 goes, but any legitimate contender in his prime should be able to beat pretty much any 51 year old former great. No matter how great that former great once was.

[Perseus]

If Smith is worth his salt as a contender he should be able to beat the old man. Hopkins is arguably the best we've ever seen at least as far as fighters fighting on past the age of 45 goes, but any legitimate contender in his prime should be able to beat pretty much any 51 year old former great. No matter how great that former great once was.

[Perseus]

Not excited for this one.
If Hopkins wins he will want to continue fighting.

[littlekinny]

1/3 Hopkins
9/4 Smith
Thought the lines would be closer?

[brilo33]

the irish bomber is going to blow him away

[BAD INTENTIONS]

Hopkins waltzes to a decision win....IF he's not totally shot. Which he may be. 2 years gone. I suspect Bernard believes he's got enough left to take this kid to school tho. Or he wouldn't be bothering.

I completley disagree with this point.

Hopkins just fought Kovalev.
Get other fighters at 175 to get in with Kovalev.

This is the best available fight for Hopkins.
If anything, blame Froch. Woulda been the perfect exit fight for both.

[diddy]

Hopkins opens -330. Will wait on the Bernard by DEC prop. Will probably be about even money.

[gilgamesh]

Hopkins opens -330. Will wait on the Bernard by DEC prop. Will probably be about even money.

If Smith is the underdog I'd probably bet on him considering he'll be facing a 52 year old man.

[diddy]

We are talking about a one dimensional brawler here who was getting hit by everything Fonfara threw before landing a Hail Mary with his eyes closed. Hopkins is too smart to lose to a guy with only one trick. I don't care how damn old he is.

[brilo33]

i fancy the irish bommer to plant one on him,but in reality, b hop will spoil be hard to hit and will win on the score cards , or joe will gas him self throwing haye makers