HOPKINS-WRIGHT apparently have agreed terms

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 02 Feb 2007, 06:03

for a 170 catchweight.

Guess that leaves Calzaghe in the lurch.

Will be interesting though because Hopkins and Wright always should have fought each other. I think Hopkins getting it above middle will do 'X' a big favour. Whereas Wright would probably be less effective the higher he gets.

Good legacy definer / cash in for both. Best junior middle of his time vs the best middle of his time.

BS.com
By Mark Vester

It was reported by the John C. Cotey of the St. Petersburg Times that Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright have agreed to fight at a catch-weight of 170-pounds, on July 21, on HBO pay-per-view.

"It's going to be interesting," Jim Wilkes said (Wright's adviser and attorney). "When Winky wins, he will have beaten all the guys that beat Oscar (De La Hoya). Maybe that will convince Oscar he should fight Winky later this year. "

Wilkes said that the contracts have not been signed, but the deal was completed, for the most part, on Thursday. The site has not been set, Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas are the top choices to host the event.

"This isn't an agreed in principle thing. It's agreed in details," he said.

Originally, Hopkins was going to face Roy Jones, Jr. in a rematch on the July date, but the two fighters could not agree on the financial terms, which has been the deal breaker every single time they try to come together for their long awaited rematch.

BigGar · Post by **BigGar** » 02 Feb 2007, 06:28

At 170??? Hopkins by UD.

Winky won't carry the weight too well IMO.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 02 Feb 2007, 06:34

This fight is going to suck......Winky by UD.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 02 Feb 2007, 06:58

Interesting match up and 1 I didn't see coming. How will this older BHOPs react to a southpaw with a great jab and tight defense that throws out a ton of leather? I think BHOPs may be wise to go on a seek and destroy mission in this 1, Winky doesn't have the power to hurt BHOPs.

How much will this draw though with neither being big pullers?

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 02 Feb 2007, 07:07

It's a superb matchup. If a little late. Both were ducked in their primes and neither were big enough names for anyone to care in the mid-late 1990s.

Hopkins was masterful the last time, vs Tarver, and did the world a great favour. Hops isn't up to facing the best super middles or light heavies anymore - he's 41 - but Bernard & Winky are class boxers.

With both at GBP, this has a terrific chance of happening.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 02 Feb 2007, 07:19

jamesmcdonnell wrote:This fight is going to suck......Winky by UD.

come on winky.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 02 Feb 2007, 10:33

Winky's work rate is too high for Hopkins, Tarver is as slow and ponderous as a mollasses river these days, Winky will be pumping that jab all night, can't see Nard being able to outwork him, and he won't be able to stop him either. Winky's got a good chin and he's not much smaller in terms of natural size than nard is.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 02 Feb 2007, 10:38

170 pounds tilts the balance in favor of Hopkins.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 02 Feb 2007, 10:52

Not really, Hopkins is not a natural 175 lber. Winky will be able to pretty much match him for strength I think.

Taki... · Post by **Taki...** » 02 Feb 2007, 11:15

170 seems ridiculous. Surely 168 would be fairer? Either way it's an interesting match-up. I fancy Winky to win at any weight against Hopkins.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 02 Feb 2007, 11:27

Remember Hopkins was never a big middleweight, he used to weigh in under the limit for his fights, so there was never a big discrepancy in their physical size. Winky looked absolutely huge for his recent fights at 160, and I think he weighed 168 on fight night, so 170 is not a huge ask.

whatashambles · Post by **whatashambles** » 02 Feb 2007, 11:41

Where does this leave Calzaghe then. He is after a big payday but now Winky and Hopkins are out of it, it only leaves Taylor who could provide it to him.

Taki... · Post by **Taki...** » 02 Feb 2007, 11:46

whatashambles wrote:Where does this leave Calzaghe then. He is after a big payday but now Winky and Hopkins are out of it, it only leaves Taylor who could provide it to him.

I had thought Taylor was Warren and Calzaghe's #1 target? I also though Taylor was very keen... which is a lot more than Hopkins ever was.

lvlarc · Post by **lvlarc** » 02 Feb 2007, 11:55

Hopkins looked strong against Tarver and lets not kid ourselves here, Tarver was the #1 LHW in the world. At 170 I think Hopkins takes a decision. He will outbox Winky from distance and outmuscle him inside.

johnswan1 · Post by **johnswan1** » 02 Feb 2007, 12:04

I like Hops by UD here. I thought Winky looked a bit soft and small against Taylor, although Taylor is a big middleweight. Would definitely be an intriging fight though.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 02 Feb 2007, 12:06

Taylor is a huge middleweight, he's a much much bigger man than Bernard is, he could probably jump to 175 tommorow without having to bulk up.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 02 Feb 2007, 12:19

Ah well, least I don't need to stay up late for this.

Doesn't Taylor want to stay at Middleweight anyway?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 02 Feb 2007, 12:32

I think his management do. I can't imagine Taylor is enjoying dropping a bollock to make weight every single time.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 02 Feb 2007, 12:34

I agree with James this looks like being an absolute stinker of a fight spectacle wise. Calzaghe misses the boat yet again.

johnswan1 · Post by **johnswan1** » 02 Feb 2007, 12:39

As much as people say his fights are boring as hell, I have to say I love watching Hopkins fights. I don't know how people can get hyped up about them and then be disappointed afterwards, everybody should know what to expect by now. All of his fights since and including the Joppy fight back in 2004 have been shown live on Sky. He's a master and it's great to see him do what he does best.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 02 Feb 2007, 12:48

johnswan1 wrote:As much as people say his fights are boring as hell, I have to say I love watching Hopkins fights. I don't know how people can get hyped up about them and then be disappointed afterwards, everybody should know what to expect by now. All of his fights since and including the Joppy fight back in 2004 have been shown live on Sky. He's a master and it's great to see him do what he does best.

Same here. He's a true master of the beautiful game, his ring generalship and strategic intelligence are second to none.

However, age will also catch up with him. In fact, it already has -- 6 years ago Taylor would not have beaten Hopkins. It would be a shame to see Hopkins degenerate into a second Holyfield.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 02 Feb 2007, 12:53

I think in Hopkins case, he realised that he had a lot left, given how close the fights with Taylor were, where he was pretty much just outworked by a younger man, and only by a whisker.

Having started late, Hopkins still has more in the tank that a man his age has a right to, but he should call it a day after a couple more fights. I think Winky beats him and he calls it a day.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 02 Feb 2007, 13:16

Winky won't need to dehydrate for 170 either as at Middleweight he goes In with about that much.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 02 Feb 2007, 14:48

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Remember Hopkins was never a big middleweight, he used to weigh in under the limit for his fights, so there was never a big discrepancy in their physical size. Winky looked absolutely huge for his recent fights at 160, and I think he weighed 168 on fight night, so 170 is not a huge ask.

BHOPs was 172 against DLH

The Blade · Post by **The Blade** » 02 Feb 2007, 15:00

viciousmaussa wrote:It's a superb matchup. If a little late. Both were ducked in their primes and neither were big enough names for anyone to care in the mid-late 1990s.

Hopkins was masterful the last time, vs Tarver, and did the world a great favour. Hops isn't up to facing the best super middles or light heavies anymore - he's 41 - but Bernard & Winky are class boxers.

With both at GBP, this has a terrific chance of happening.

Sounds like a tactical, defensive bore to me. And if they go ppv, it won't do much.