Hopkins vs. Dawson: Youth Will Prevail over Experience in Lopsided Fashion

Youth will trump experience in a major way when Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson square off on April 28, 2012.

The two boxers aren't too far removed from a controversial decision to change Dawson's TKO into a "no contest" after Hopkins was forced to leave their championship bout due to an injured shoulder on October 15, 2011 (H/T SI.com).

The unfortunate incident happened before either boxer could establish dominance, but thankfully they will have the chance to prove once and for all who deserves the WBC light-heavyweight championship belt.

There's no doubt in my mind that Dawson will be that man.

Dawson is confident of his victory as well, and commented about the last time the two faced one another.

Per 8countnews.com:

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He said he dislocated his shoulder but we didn’t see any doctors or anything like that. My confidence has been boosted and I’m looking toward going out there on the 28th and becoming a world champion once again.

"

Hopkins—one of boxing's greatest legends—is still going strong, but he is facing a man 18 years his junior who has plenty of experience of his own and who has only been defeated once before.

Dawson will dismantle the aging legend by using his longer reach to keep Hopkins away from his midsection.

He won't try to take Hopkins out in the early round, either. He's known as a patient fighter and he'll stay patient in this upcoming fight, trusting in his corner to give him the best game plan from round-to-round.

I doubt that we'll see a knockout from either man in this fight. Both are accustomed to going the distance and I expect this fight to last until the final bell.

Dawson will make Hopkins' life miserable by forcing the older man to chase him around the ring as he uses his reach to connect from the outside. 

Then, when the time is right, Dawson will pounce on the tired Hopkins with a flurry of combos and ultimately win the contest with ease.

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