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Posted: **08 Feb 2005, 09:52**

Lefthookhappy19 wrote: I don't think Hopkins has ever looked invincible. One of the reasons he's fought so long for recognition, which he only seems to be getting now. I saw Hopkins was at the superbowl, that along with his new Golden Boy commitments, appearances on talkshows and everyone telling him how great he is. This maybe be the perfect time to catch Hopkins. Theirs no maybe in it, its perfect.

Perfect in the sense that Hopkins might well be at his most vunerable right now for the reasons you state, Alas this will not be enough to bridge the chasm in class between the pair of them, it just be enough for the crowning glory of Howard Eastman's career, winning a round against Bernard Hopkins...

And I didn't really mean Hopkins looks invincible (although he hasn't looked like losing a fight at Middleweight in years) as such, I said more invincible than Tszyu , a subtle difference although I can accept poor English on my part!

Posted: **08 Feb 2005, 13:10**

Eastman has the better chance.

Hatton gets knocked out.

At least Howard will hear the final if he doesn't knock out Bhopalong now son.

Hatton gets sparked... early!

All those years fighting below his level will be Hattons undoing.

Posted: **08 Feb 2005, 13:34**

Both Tszyu and Hopkins are of course both class acts who in my opinion would give any fighter in history in their respective divisions all the trouble they could handle.

Moreover we must remember neither of these two fine fighters are unbeatable.

Hatton may have the slightly better chance of winning due to his youth, determination, workrate and stamina against a quality Champion who just may be a little rusty and nearing the end of a long glourious career. Tszyu resently has being talking about retirment so how hungry is he?

Eastman to also has a chance against a remarkable 40 year old Champion, but 40 never the less. Unless Hopkins gets old overnight (which is a real possibility) style wise this is a tough call for Eastman. To my thinking Eastmans best chance of beating Hopkins is to set a quick pace and keep it up for three minutes every round. In order to take the steam out of the older fighters body etc. But Eastman does not usually fight this way so can he at this stage of his career make that physical and mental change? I hope so, but I doubt it.

I give both British fighters a good chance of winning their fights although I do favour the Champions. But I think Hatton has the slightly better chance of victory.

Posted: **08 Feb 2005, 13:41**

DG. wrote:Eastman has the better chance.

Hatton gets knocked out.

At least Howard will hear the final if he doesn't knock out Bhopalong now son.

Hatton gets sparked... early!

All those years fighting below his level will be Hattons undoing.

Of course Eastman has been regularly taking on world class Middleweights for the last few years....

Posted: **08 Feb 2005, 15:52**

Eastmans not hungry enough theres never enough get up and go in him especially against someone like Hopkins.

Hattons only chance comes if it turns out Mitchell was only a jaded fighter and the win Zoo had hid the fact he's got old , something I seriously doubt.

But for all you people who believe Zoo is a slow starter could it be that in truth his opponents all back off and run in the early rounds cos there scared what happened to Mitchel and Judah could off happened to them.

Also everyone keeps saying about his right hand , do people not watch how many he has hurt with his left hand especialy the hook to the body

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 06:17**

coneye wrote:Eastmans not hungry enough theres never enough get up and go in him especially against someone like Hopkins.

Hattons only chance comes if it turns out Mitchell was only a jaded fighter and the win Zoo had hid the fact he's got old , something I seriously doubt.

But for all you people who believe Zoo is a slow starter could it be that in truth his opponents all back off and run in the early rounds cos there scared what happened to Mitchel and Judah could off happened to them.

Also everyone keeps saying about his right hand , do people not watch how many he has hurt with his left hand especialy the hook to the body

I totally agree, Did u see the body shot's he landed on Hurtado they made me whince even though i was going for Tszyu.

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 07:11**

according to the bookies hatton has by far the best chance, but we all know about bookie's knowledge of boxing. A good bet would be an accumulator for tszyu and hopkins both to win.

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 07:46**

Riddick Blowe wrote:according to the bookies hatton has by far the best chance, but we all know about bookie's knowledge of boxing. A good bet would be an accumulator for tszyu and hopkins both to win.

Still probably only about even money isn't it?

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 07:49**

tuaman2004 wrote:I really think Howard has caught Hopkins at the right time and I think he will sneak a points win...Hatton will get stopped though he is too easy to hit on the way in close

Points? no chance.

If Howard wins 8 round to 4 (in most people's eyes) you'll still see the judges give it to Hopkins. An American Champion, holding all the belts, a "true American patriot" (harping on about 9/11, the firemen, and so on in the Tito fight)..worth a lot more in PPV than Eastman...losing a points decision to a comparatively unknown Brit?

No f**king way. Won't happen, and especially if it is close (you say "sneak" a points win)

Eastman HAS to stop him to win that fight.

Hatton of course may "sneak" a point win over Zoo. That is plausible. Remember, the location of the fight and the fighters involved seem to have as much effect on the judges as what their eyeballs witness occuring in the ring. Look no further than most fights in Germany for examples.

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 07:56**

Oh I agree Eastman can pull it off, but it will be by KO, never a points win.

He has as much chance of that as someone ever did of a points win over Sven Ottke when fighting in Germany. The ring of the final bell meant..you lost.

Besides, Eastman "sneaking" 8 rounds of Hopkins???

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 08:09**

Goz wrote:
DG. wrote:Eastman has the better chance.

Hatton gets knocked out.

At least Howard will hear the final if he doesn't knock out Bhopalong now son.

Hatton gets sparked... early!

All those years fighting below his level will be Hattons undoing.

Of course Eastman has been regularly taking on world class Middleweights for the last few years....

At least he fought 1 in Joppy - Hatton has NEVER fought anyone who even

PUNCHED BACK

- except magee and look what happended there !

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 08:15**

Loftgroov wrote: He has as much chance of that as someone ever did of a points win over Sven Ottke when fighting in Germany. The ring of the final bell meant..you lost.

Where do you get that from? I can't recall Hop getting any big favours with the judges. He's not exactly the Golden Boy.

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 08:22**

For me, Hatton has the slightly better chance. Sure, Tszyu looked great against Mitchell, but look how quickly he hurt him. There were questions about how the injuries had affected Tszyu, and a 3 round, 4 knockdown mauling of mitchell would, in theory, suggest he's as good as ever. However, if he has to fight a fast-paced 12 round fight, how will he hold up?

The closer the fight gets, the more I fancy Hatton...

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 08:23**

Loftgroov wrote:
Hatton of course may "sneak" a point win over Zoo. That is plausible. Remember, the location of the fight and the fighters involved seem to have as much effect on the judges as what their eyeballs witness occuring in the ring. Look no further than most fights in Germany for examples.

Imagine how interesting it would be if the judges were approached with dodgy intentions by Warren AND Showtime? Tszyu needs to win to set up a possible megafight with Judah, while Hatton is in his backyard.

That would be awesome! A battle of 'which party gets to pay off the judges'.

DISCLAIMER- The above is a fun, light hearted opinion.

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 08:28**

Both look like they've got Everest to climb, but if you go by the usual "who wants it more", you'd have to go with Hatton.

Maybe one of his clumping right hands opens up a bad cut on the Russian, who knows.....

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 08:31**

MightyWarrior wrote:
Loftgroov wrote: He has as much chance of that as someone ever did of a points win over Sven Ottke when fighting in Germany. The ring of the final bell meant..you lost.
Where do you get that from? I can't recall Hop getting any big favours with the judges. He's not exactly the Golden Boy.

He's not the golden boy when he is fighting "the golden boy", but he sure as sh*t is compared to Howard Eastman.

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 08:34**

The Golden Boy v The Golden Beard?

Posted: **09 Feb 2005, 08:36**

MightyWarrior wrote:Both look like they've got Everest to climb, but if you go by the usual "who wants it more", you'd have to go with Hatton.

Maybe one of his clumping right hands opens up a bad cut on the Russian, who knows.....

more likely hatton's paper skin is slashed to oblivion, probably in the first round.

Posted: **10 Feb 2005, 11:24**

Manny Steward's pick, from Michael Woods over at maxboxing -

"Also, and ponder this before you hit the bookie: Manny likes Hatton to upset Tszyu. "I'm going with Hatton," Steward said. "I like his activity level. And Hatton is the bigger man. His style can give Tszyu problems. It's the right time for Ricky. He's tired of being protected."

Steward also admitted he pulled the plug on the Harris/Hatton fight, as he didn't like Viv's chances. Obviously has a high opinion or Ricky then...

He picks Hop over Eastman BTW.

Posted: **10 Feb 2005, 11:45**

MightyWarrior wrote:Manny Steward's pick, from Michael Woods over at maxboxing -

"Also, and ponder this before you hit the bookie: Manny likes Hatton to upset Tszyu. "I'm going with Hatton," Steward said. "I like his activity level. And Hatton is the bigger man. His style can give Tszyu problems. It's the right time for Ricky. He's tired of being protected."

Steward also admitted he pulled the plug on the Harris/Hatton fight, as he didn't like Viv's chances. Obviously has a high opinion or Ricky then...

He picks Hop over Eastman BTW.

COULD BE TIME FOR LIRVA AND BLUE TO EAT YET MORE HUMBLE PIE.

Posted: **10 Feb 2005, 11:46**

Riddick Blowe wrote:
Loftgroov wrote:
Hatton of course may "sneak" a point win over Zoo. That is plausible. Remember, the location of the fight and the fighters involved seem to have as much effect on the judges as what their eyeballs witness occuring in the ring. Look no further than most fights in Germany for examples.
Imagine how interesting it would be if the judges were approached with dodgy intentions by Warren AND Showtime? Tszyu needs to win to set up a possible megafight with Judah, while Hatton is in his backyard.

That would be awesome! A battle of 'which party gets to pay off the judges'.

One thing which DEFINETLY seems to influence judges to a huge extent, is the roar of the crowd. When the crowd roar every single time their man throws a shot, it's often hard for judges not to err on the side of the fighter with the home support when they try and assess whether a shot landed cleanly or not.

I can vouch for the fact that from ringside it can be very hard to tell whether a shot has landed or not. If the guy's got his back to you, and his opponent throws a shot, you can't tell whether it was taken on the forearms or gloves or on the chin.

DISCLAIMER- The above is a fun, light hearted opinion.

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Who has the better chance of winning Howard or Ricky?