Hopkins vs. Dawson: The Executioner Needs to Dominate Bad Chad in Epic Rematch

Bernard Hopkins has not been doing a lot of talking leading up to his rematch with Chad Dawson on Saturday night. He knows what is on the line in this fight, and it's not just the WBC and Ring magazine light heavyweight championships.

Not that anyone likes to keep talking about it, but Hopkins' age is going to be a focal point of any fight he takes on. He is 47 years old and has 61 professional fights under his belt. That kind of wear and tear is going to catch up to a fighter, no matter how great, at some point. 

When Hopkins and Dawson first locked horns last October, it was one of the most controversial fights you will ever see. In the second round, Dawson lifted Hopkins off the ground from the clinch position and threw him to the ground. 

Hopkins appeared to have injured his shoulder, but the referee still gave Dawson a TKO victory and awarded him the light heavyweight championship. It was only when Hopkins contested the fight with the California State Athletic Commission that it was turned to a no-contest, and he got the title back. 

Now, six months after that fiasco, Hopkins got the rematch he so desperately craved. He doesn't just want to prove that he is the better fighter than Dawson.

No longer is this fight strictly about championships, money and all the glitz and glamour that comes with it.

Instead, Hopkins is fighting to prove to the world that time has not passed him by; that he is still the best light heavyweight boxer in the world. 

Barry McGuian of the UK Daily Mirror wrote a mini-critique of Hopkins' career and put his accomplishments in perspective and gave a prediction for tonight's bout:

"

Of his peers only (Roy) Jones proved unanswerable. But Hopkins is one for the ages defensively. I would describe him as a Carlos Monzon without the aggressive intent. At his peak he was unbeatable because he was so awkward.

He controlled the tempo and even now imposes his limitations on bouts to influence outcomes. That said, I believe Chad Dawson will beat him tonight, but it won’t be a massacre.

"

That first fight was not necessarily a knock on Hopkins' resume. He had no control over the actions of his opponent; rather, he was just a victim of circumstance. 

But with the 29-year-old Dawson poised to take over the light heavyweight division with a victory in this fight, Hopkins needs this win to make it clear that he is still the class of the division. 

Even with an 18-year disadvantage in this fight, Hopkins has all the tangible skills required to retain his championship. It is just a question of whether the intangibles are still there with all the mind games being played. 

I wouldn't want to bet against The Executioner.

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