I say Taylor would improve, as if the Hoppy fight was a step up, as many have said, and his exposure on PPV in the spotlight, all contribute to a learning experience. Fighting a guy like Hopkins HAS to be an education. Taylor is still relatively young, hence room to learn and grow into a mature, seasoned world champ. I feel he would be even MORE determined in a re-match and I would bet on the lad.
Boxing 7/12 - 7/16
- Thread starter BOXLOCKS
- Start date
Looks like my line was perfect, I have even action on both sides...lol
If that was a 15 round fight, Hopkins wins easily and probably stops him.
Hopkins came on late in the fight and hurt Taylor a few times down the stretch. One has to think that if Hopkins was a little busier in the 1st half of the fight, he would have won. Hopkins did much more damage than Taylor did, landed much cleaner punches, and the rounds he won were clear and dominant. Taylor was busier, but not really effective, most of his punches were partially blocked or slipped. But you had to give him the early rounds b/c he was the only one throwing punches. Despite Hopkins taking a few rounds off, if the deciding judge wasn't a complete jackass, this fight was a draw.
There are a few things to consider here...
Part of me thinks that Hopkins will start faster in the rematch to share the early rounds, and pull away as Taylor tires down the stretch.
However...
I heard an interview with Taylor today, he admitted to being very nervous in this fight and said Hopkins was very calm. He also admitted to running out of energy in the late rounds. Since Taylor is 26 and trained his ass off for this fight, I seriously dought that he wasn't in shape. I think Taylor got tired b/c he was nervous.
Part of me thinks that in the rematch, Taylor will be more relaxed and comfortable with the situation resulting in more stamina in the late rounds.
I really don't think you'll see Hopkins at more than +150 here. From what I've heard, many observers thought Hopkins won this fight despite his inactivity. I assume most expect Hopkins to be busier in the rematch since he knows thats why he lost this fight. The fact that Hop almost stopped Taylor a few times late in the fight will keep the number down also.
The rematch clause of this fight has a date in October, I heard Taylor's camp is already trying to push that date back b/c he needs more time to recover from beating he took in this fight. Maybe they just want more time to let Hop get even older, but it was obvious to me that Hop did a lot of damage to the kid.
gl bl
If that was a 15 round fight, Hopkins wins easily and probably stops him.
Hopkins came on late in the fight and hurt Taylor a few times down the stretch. One has to think that if Hopkins was a little busier in the 1st half of the fight, he would have won. Hopkins did much more damage than Taylor did, landed much cleaner punches, and the rounds he won were clear and dominant. Taylor was busier, but not really effective, most of his punches were partially blocked or slipped. But you had to give him the early rounds b/c he was the only one throwing punches. Despite Hopkins taking a few rounds off, if the deciding judge wasn't a complete jackass, this fight was a draw.
There are a few things to consider here...
Part of me thinks that Hopkins will start faster in the rematch to share the early rounds, and pull away as Taylor tires down the stretch.
However...
I heard an interview with Taylor today, he admitted to being very nervous in this fight and said Hopkins was very calm. He also admitted to running out of energy in the late rounds. Since Taylor is 26 and trained his ass off for this fight, I seriously dought that he wasn't in shape. I think Taylor got tired b/c he was nervous.
Part of me thinks that in the rematch, Taylor will be more relaxed and comfortable with the situation resulting in more stamina in the late rounds.
I really don't think you'll see Hopkins at more than +150 here. From what I've heard, many observers thought Hopkins won this fight despite his inactivity. I assume most expect Hopkins to be busier in the rematch since he knows thats why he lost this fight. The fact that Hop almost stopped Taylor a few times late in the fight will keep the number down also.
The rematch clause of this fight has a date in October, I heard Taylor's camp is already trying to push that date back b/c he needs more time to recover from beating he took in this fight. Maybe they just want more time to let Hop get even older, but it was obvious to me that Hop did a lot of damage to the kid.
gl bl
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