Bernard Hopkins looks to stamp his name in boxing History Books against Tavoris Cloud
By Tom Mauriello
Brooklyn, NY (March 8th, 2013)– This Saturday night at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn New York, 31 year old Tavoris Cloud (24(19,KOs)-0-0) will defend his IBF Light Heavyweight title against seasoned veteran Bernard Hopkins (52(32,KOs)-6-2) in a classic brawler against boxer matchup.
Clearly, the age does not reflect the way the boxer fights when it comes to the case of Bernard Hopkins. Even though he has only won 1 fight out of his last 4, that one win came against the 28 year old champion Jean Pascal, in which Hopkins was doing push ups in between rounds during a dominating performance. The question is, will this be the case Saturday in Brooklyn?
Tavoris Cloud in an interesting character. His last victory came in the form as a gift after being dominated for the better of 12 rounds against Spain’s Gabriel Campillo. Cloud came out with force, knocking Campillo down twice in the first, only to be thrown around the ring by superior boxing and fast combinations from Campillo. He also took home a snoozer decision against another veteran Glen Johnson in a back and forth affair at Boardwalk Hall. Some may say Cloud has been exposed in these two fights, and his 80% Knockout ratio is nothing by smoke and mirrors.
This fight will come down to who can get off more, the boxer or the brawler. Tavoris Cloud has an animal like style. He is a headhunter who looks to knock you out with each punch. His shoulders are tight, and he telegraphs a lot of his movements. He has very sloppy technique and is easy to hit. He does have knock out power in both hands, which is his most dangerous weapon. I must truly question the 48 year old chin of Bernard Hopkins. He was not fought a man with this much power since Kelly Pavlik, and Pavlik did not land that heavy right hand on B-Hop. Cloud is a very dangerous match up for Hopkins only because of his brute strength. He comes forward like a bull, and will look to throw heavy leather and put Hopkins on the mat. One thing about Cloud as well is that he has a motor that can carry him into the later rounds. Cloud will be on Hopkins like white on rice looking for that one punch to send the Executioner into retirement.
To call Bernard Hopkins slick is an understatement. The crafty Hopkins knows every trick possible inside of a ring and will show them all Saturday against the young champion. When tuning into a Bernard Hopkins fight, you know you are not going to see 12 rounds of “sweet science”. You are going to see an ugly contest full of what some would say “dirty” tactics as well as grind em down inside fighting. Hopkins will attempt to show Cloud these tricks and walk out of the Barclays center with the title. B-Hop has the experience and skill to take away Cloud’s title very easy. He is clearly the better all around boxer, and will counter the stiffer and more aggressive Cloud all night if need be. Hopkins is hard to hit, and harder to figure out. If Cloud thought Glen Johnson was a sly veteran, he has not seen nothing yet. Hopkins has written the book on crafty maneuvers, and will show the hard hitting Cloud that it takes more then just strength and speed to be a true champion in this sport.
To add something extra to this matchup, Hopkins is not only looking to walk out of Brooklyn as the oldest champion in boxing history, he is also looking to put Don King out of the fight game. Don King, the former employer of Hopkins, is 81 years old and has lost his steam in the fight game. Maybe the most corrupt and dirty promoter of all time, he has 1 true champion left, and that is Tavoris Cloud. Hopkins has been quoted “a lot of guys where undefeated, that were prospects, I took a lot of money out of their bank accounts”. Not only does he wish to end the undefeated streak of Cloud, he is looking to take Don King promotions out of the fight game completely. Another sweet victory for Hopkins as well as Golden Boy Promotions.
I truly feel that Hopkins can walk out the new champion Saturday night. If the 48 year old can impose his will and make it a classic Bernard Hopkins fight, it is without a shadow of a doubt he will break down and destroy Tavoris Cloud. Cloud does have some scary power though, and Hopkins will have to avoid those power shots like the plaque. I do not think Hopkins chin can stand up to Cloud’s power and if the younger fighter connects with one of those hard shots, it will be goodnight Irene for the wise Hopkins.
Also on the undercard will be undefeated Keith Thurman (19(18,KOs)-0-0) taking on Jan Zaveck (32(18,KOs)-2-0) in a WBO welterweight title eliminator. Thurman has been steam rolling fighters producing nothing but highlight reel knockouts in almost all of his outings. He takes on a tough opponent in Jan Zaveck who put on a great set of wins before being stopped due to a cut by Andre Berto. Thurman looks to stop him just as he did Carlos Qunitana and look to get a piece of the welterweight title.
It will be an exciting night of fights in Brooklyn this Saturday night March 9th at 9:30on HBO.
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