Hopkins vs. Dawson: The Executioner Must Win by Knockout to Remain True Champion

Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins is scheduled to fight "Bad" Chad Dawson tonight, and is looking to retain his WBC and The Ring light heavyweight championship titles.

If B-Hop wants to be forever known as one of the true champions of the light heavyweight division, he'll need to score a knockout victory over Dawson.

The 47-year-old Hopkins originally suffered a loss to Dawson on October 15, 2011 after being thrown from a clinch and injuring his shoulder. The California State Athletic Commission later overruled the TKO call, ruling the fight a no-contest.

Hopkins is old enough to have fathered the 29-year-old Dawson, but that doesn't mean he can't put a whooping on him at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Hopkins hasn't scored a KO in almost eight years, with his last coming against Oscar De La Hoya in September of 2004.

Dawson, rated as the fourth-best light heavyweight boxer by The Ring magazine, has never been knocked out. In fact, the only loss he's suffered came at the hands of Jean Pascal via a technical decision after an accidental headbutt.

Speaking of Pascal, he was the man who Hopkins last had back-to-back fights against. Their first contest ended in a draw. Their second bout ended in Hopkins winning the two titles he now holds.

Of Hopkins' 52 wins, 32 have been ended by a knockout. Hopkins will need to score one versus Dawson if he wants to put an exclamation point on his illustrious career.

Hopkins jas made his living on being a defensive specialist. His blocking, ducking, bobbing and weaving typically lead to his thunderous right hand meeting his opponent's chin.

He is strategically sound and battle-tested, yet it is Dawson who comes in as an 11-4 favorite, most likely because of his performance in the last contest. In that October 2011 bout in Los Angeles, Dawson dictated the pace, stalking Hopkins around the Staples Center ring while unloading a flurry of shots on his defensive opponent.

The key to a Hopkins victory doesn't rely so much on his actions as it does Dawson's. If Hopkins can get inside Dawson's head, something B-Hop has been known to do to his opponents, he'll be able to pick the southpaw apart.

The general consensus is that Hopkins has no chance at matching Dawson punch for punch, which would make it substantially more impressive if he is able to do so.

Be sure to tune in to HBO for the fight, beginning at 10:15 PM ET.