The big question for Hopkins is whether he can start strong early and somehow maintain the same pace throughout the fight. At 41 years of age Bernard is a finely conditioned athlete, but will his age be a factor in the fight? If Hopkins can somehow gather enough stamina to be aggressive the entire fight then his odds of winning will dramatically increase. We also know that Bernard is not only a good fighter but also great at figuring out his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. This ability can make him a more effective fighter the second time around. 

     Taylor, on the other hand, claimed that he was not himself that night and that he is a much better fighter than what he showed. Perhaps the young Taylor was simply hampered by the magnitude of the fight and this time around will be more focused and effective. There are too many what ifs in this fight to cover them all but what is certain for Taylor is that he needs to either pace himself better throughout the fight or somehow increase his stamina for a bout that will surely be more grueling then their first meeting.  

     Both boxers had their moments in the first fight and neither was able to be consistently dominant throughout the fight. The winner of the second bout will have to be the more dominant fighter from beginning till end and not just in spots. For Hopkins this is a must win fight because his legacy rests on this one final test of his career. If he wins he may very well be regarded as one of the best middleweights ever, but if he loses his accomplishments, as amazing as they are, may lose some of their appeal to the boxing public. This means that Bernard will fight with outmost determination and the will of a man who must win this fight. A Bernard Hopkins who is that determined and mentally ready is extremely hard to beat and that is why I pick him as the favorite for this fight.