Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson: Executioner Destined to Pull off Shocking Upset

Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32KOs) is one of the most underrated boxers of all time.

People look at his age—47—and automatically assume the guy is washed up and slow as a snail.

Not quite.

When “The Executioner” steps into the ring against Chad Dawson, he’ll do so as the current WBC light heavyweight champion.

He doesn’t appeal to today’s boxing fan because a slugfest isn’t his style. He’s a very calculated fighter that uses his 24 years of experience to systematically destroy opponents. He still has strong speed for his age and the same quick fists that have earned him so many accolades over the years.

The 29-year-old Dawson may be 30-1 with 17 KOs, but he doesn’t have the discipline and patience of Hopkins.

Dawson uses strong range, in addition to some serious speed, to crush most of his opponents. His one Achillies heel, however, is a veteran boxer that can counter his speed with calculated punches to the body.

That’s the big problem with Dawson. Once he has to defend himself, counters are thrown wildly and his gameplan for the fight goes out the window.

In other words, he can get rattled. 

Hopkins is using his age as motivation on Saturday night and will be taking out his anger towards the cynics and directing it toward Dawson (via Yahoo! Sports): 

"

I'll just continue to kick the naysayers' [expletive] in and out of the ring, because that's the task that I've always been up against, and I don't mind that. It's not anger. It's a challenge. You all have been my biggest motivator. Without that, it wouldn't be me where I've been. 

"

The additional motivation comes from Hopkins and “Bad” Chad’s first bout together. It was a rather even bout until Dawson inexplicably threw Hopkins to the ground.

Originally a TKO victory was awarded to Dawson, but a successful appeal by Hopkins all but rendered the fight useless.

This is Round 2 and the fight that will determine who is the better boxer. If “Bad Chad” is able to consistently land body blows, he’ll be in decent shape. But as soon as he is stuck being defensive, the tables turn in a hurry.

Hopkins has been fighting since Dawson was five years old. Expect him to use this ridiculous experience to his advantage in a ninth-round TKO to once and for all prove to the world that he is one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen. 

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