Hopkins vs Dawson: Bad Chad Will Expose B-Hop's Age in Title Fight

If Bernard Hopkins defeats Chad Dawson tonight, you might as well tell Eder Jofre, Sugar Ray Robinson and Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Roy Jones they have permanent company atop the list of greatest middleweights or light heavyweights in history. 

At 46 years old, Hopkins is already a physical marvel of sorts. To be competing on this level at his age, let alone the reigning champion is amazing in itself. That said, Chad Dawson ain't having it this evening. He is already fuming from the one loss on his record. He dropped a decision to Jean-Pascal after a headbutt caused a gash that sent the fight to the scorecards after 11 rounds.

To further intensify the burning desire for Dawson to win tonight, Hopkins has already bested Pascal after their first fight was a contested draw.

If Dawson is to be considered the true king of the light heavyweight division as he sees himself, he has to beat Hopkins. Losing to Hopkins would do wonders for Hopkins legacy but it would destroy the division's credibility. If a 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins can defeat the top two fighters in the weight class, whose ages are 29 and 28, it doesn't show the light heavyweights in a positive light.

I believe Dawson's combination of size and speed will be too much for Hopkins to overcome. Hopkins hasn't faced anyone in the light heavyweight division with Dawson's size and speed.

Dawson is a slick boxer who isn't looking to knock his opponents out. That is to his advantage because Hopkins has one of the great chins and defense in the sports history. Through 60 bouts, he has never been stopped and has only been down in one fight.

Even in defeat, Hopkins will go down as one of the five greatest middleweights ever. On Saturday night, he'll have to settle for that.