Hopkins vs Dawson: Breaking Down B-Hop's Amazing Longevity

No matter what your personal opinion of Bernard Hopkins is, you must respect his amazing career. It has spanned 24 years, and through that time, 1989 was the only year he didn't fight.

The 52-5 record with 32 KO speaks for itself.

On Saturday, April 28, Hopkins will attempt to defend his WBC Light Heavyweight Championship against Chad Dawson.

The fight is a rematch of their bout in October of 2011. A no contest was ruled after Dawson dumped Hopkins on his shoulder, and the veteran was unable to continue.

That is certainly not the way a fight should end for someone of The Executioner's stature. 

Hopkins is a sure fire Hall of Famer in my opinion. Despite being 18 years his opponent's senior, almost no one expects Hopkins to be dominated.

At 47-years-old, what keeps him competitive?

Obviously he's skilled, but there are more elements involved. In some instances, it's about being around at the right time.

Greatness is about the marriage of talent and opportunity.

The Skills and Attributes

Ring IQ

Some may question the intellectual value of the things Hopkins says outside the ring. But inside the ring, his game plans and adjustments make brilliant statements.

B-Hop is a notorious slow-starter. But as the fight progresses, he makes adjustments and almost always picks up the pace. This is a testament to his ability to analyze and react.

It is one of the most underrated skills in the sport, and Hopkins is brilliant in this aspect.

This is an age-proof quality.

Defense

Hopkins is an excellent defensive fighter. Simply put, he isn't easy to hit, and when you do connect, he has a solid chin.

He has only been down from a punch in one fight during his career, and he has never been knocked out.

B-Hop uses great instinct, his long arms and excellent fundamentals to make himself a difficult target.

Remarkably, he still has the reflexes to react on his great boxing instincts.

Height

B-Hop is a light heavyweight now, but most of his career was at middleweight. At 6'1", with a 75" reach, Hopkins enjoyed a height advantage over most opponents.

The height allowed him to grow into a healthy light heavyweight, easily capable of carrying the 175 pounds required to compete.

Conditioning

Any man or woman still competing in a sport professionally at the age of 47 is in marvelous shape. I don't care if it's World Class Basket Weaving.

Hopkins has always kept himself in ridiculous condition. He has bragged about having a 27'" waist, which is remarkable considering his height and weight.

To compete this late into his life, conditioning has played a major role.

Toughness and Confidence

B-Hop is flat out tough. From the grizzled face to the rough past. Hopkins has been through a lot in his life, and I'm convinced, he is without fear in the ring.

He trusts his chin, instincts, boxing smarts and intestinal fortitude. Because of this, he is never at a disadvantage mentally.

Right Place, Right Time

Hopkins last two fights at middleweight were losses to a speedy and strong Jermain Taylor in 2005. Though he came on at the end of the first fight, it was clear to me, Taylor was a better fighter than Hopkins at that time.

He wisely moved up to light heavyweight after the second loss. At 40 years old, standing 6'1", making 160 pounds was just too difficult to continue to do.

The move also allowed Hopkins to compete in a division with less talent.

There simply weren't as many good fighters at 175 pounds. It's an issue Roy Jones, Jr. dealt with his entire career. Jones dominated the division so thoroughly, it led to his brief and successful jump to heavyweight.

In the seven years Hopkins has competed as a light heavyweight, he has amassed a 6-1-1 record with the one no contest.

This move revived his career.

While his skills are noteworthy, the level of competition at 175 has played a part in his success as well.

Conclusion and Prediction

Hopkins is in a no-lose situation. A loss doesn't damage his legacy, he has already accomplished more than many ever thought he would.

The pressure is all on Dawson to defeat a man old enough to be his father.

In order to shine, he needs to do it convincingly. But I don't think that will happen.

I am picking Dawson to win by decision, but Hopkins will make it difficult for him.

When its over, we'll still marvel at how the legend has stayed relevant for so long.

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