Hopkins vs. Dawson: The Executioner Will Look His Age vs. Chad Dawson

Bernard Hopkins has defied Father Time for years. When others have called for his collapse, he's gone on to score some impressive victories.

But Hopkins does not have the knockout power he once had, so shocking the world with a stunner against Chad Dawson on Saturday in Atlantic City is out of the question. The last time he scored a knockout was in 2004 against Oscar De La Hoya.

Beyond that, do you actually expect him to outwork Dawson?

Dawson is faster, stronger and, well, he's 29 years old. He also has five inches of reach on Hopkins.

It's no wonder most of the boxing world isn't giving Hopkins much of a chance. Yes, the boxing world has been wrong before about Hopkins, but unless Dawson completely bombs, he should have this fight in hand. 

The one advantage I would expect Hopkins to have is experience and the ability to play mind games with Dawson inside the ring.

But, as we saw in the first fight between the two in October, Dawson wasn't exactly intimidated or out of place against Hopkins. He actually took the fight to the 47-year-old, and using more body shots this time around could make it a runaway victory.

Hopkins is a legend. He's proved so much in his career, even at an older age. 

Hopkins said to reporters on Thursday in Atlantic City, via EastSideBoxing.com:

"

I’m the last of a f*****g dying breed. When you guys want to write something, you write that. I’m the last of a f*****b dying breed. That’s what I am. That’s the headlines. I’m the last of a f*****g dying breed.

"

But the problem with being the last of a (freaking) dying breed is that you will eventually fall before long. Hopkins will fall against Dawson on Saturday, but by no means should that mar the career he's established.

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