Hopkins vs. Dawson Predictions: Bad Chad Will Defeat B-Hop Easily

Bernard Hopkins almost always starts slow, and now at age 46, that may not just be a strategy. This is a tendency he can't afford against Chad Dawson. Dawson is bigger and faster than the legendary middle—and now light—heavyweight. If he starts slow, this fight will look very similar to the Jermain Taylor fights, sans the horrible Taylor stamina.

Hopkins will dig himself a hole while he tries to time and figure Dawson out. He'll look up and be down four rounds on the scorecard. That formula didn't work out against Taylor, even with the noodle legs at the end of the fight, and it won't beat Dawson either.

Hopkins has never been a knockout fighter. Most of his knockouts have come from cumulative punishment. At 46, his punching power has waned even more. Now, he is all about his tremendous guile, skill level, instinct and in-ring IQ. These qualities would be enough for Hopkins in a fight that he isn't so physically over-matched in regards to speed.

The equalizer for a speed disadvantage is often punching power. Hopkins doesn't bring that to the table, and he will struggle to get off. He also won't enjoy a gross advantage in regards to boxing acumen, as Dawson is extremely skilled and slick.

Hopkins' career has been legendary—no matter what happens tonight. In that respect, he has nothing to lose. In addition to his own place in this era of light-heavyweights, Dawson carries the legitimacy of the division, in my opinion.

For Hopkins to defeat both Dawson and Jean-Pascal, two men 15 and 16 years his junior in back-to-back bouts, would really make you question the state of the division.

I believe that won't be a question you'll need to ask after Saturday night.