Preview: Bernard Hopkins vs Tavoris Cloud

by Gautham Nagesh

At 48, Hopkins is a wonder with nothing left to prove. Even if he manages to pull off the impossible again, it’s hard to see him fairing any better against light heavyweight champ Chad Dawson in a third fight. So we’re hoping that Cloud answers the call and delivers a sensational performance against the wily old man of the Fight Game.

“You’re not going to see a new Bernard Hopkins,” Hopkins said. “I’m too old for that crap.  I think what you will see is something different that I know I am capable of doing.”

Cloud is certainly an exciting fighter, and he can punch at light heavyweight. But many feel he was exposed in his last fight against Gabriel Campillo, with many believing he was fortunate to get the split decision. Hopkins is even harder to hit than Campillo, and will undoubtedly use every trick in the book to gain an advantage. Cloud must stay cool and pace his attack, rather than trying for an early knockout and punching himself out like he did against Glen Johnson. 

“I’d be a fool to get caught up in Bernard Hopkins’ mind games. That’s a fool’s game buying into those traps,” Cloud said. “When the bell rings on Saturday night, we’re both equals. I’ve got to go in there and hit him to show his tactics will not work against me.”

I’ve picked against Hopkins and been wrong before, and perhaps I’m foolish to do so again. Cloud is far from a complete fighter, and has real holes that a veteran like Hopkins can exploit. But BHop has to get old at some point and Cloud will never get a better chance than this one to make his name. So we’re picking the young lion to topple the old, by a close decision with one or two knockdowns along the way.

The chief support will feature welterweight Keith “One-Time” Thurman in his biggest test against Jan Zaveck