I’ll make it short and sweet - my prediction on the outcome of Hopkins-Taylor II is the "Executioner" by unanimous decision. I’d see a prime Hopkins getting it done inside of a dozen stanzas, but age 40 and nearing 41, cannot be ignored.    

As I see it … from afar I might add, this one is pretty much a copy of the first - a coin flip - still, the marquee should simply read "The Bernard Hopkins Story."

What we have here - amber caution light or not - is Hopkins the time tested professional that wages battle the old-fashioned way, facing a pampered amateur graduate with connections in Taylor, that has feasted on pugilistic pabulum - and that is what separates the two.

Taylor, at age 27 has the advantages of youth - but still a relative novice with no more than 24 outings - undefeated with 17 stoppages against assorted no-names -  translation, untested prior to the first Hopkins affair.

The promo theme is "No Respect" … not all that much of a battle cry from where I sit - especially when Jermain is quoted as describing Bernard a "dirty fighter" … adding he won’t stoop to that level - what next? Mr. Referee, ’Nard just hit me with a closed fist.'

Perhaps the Taylor brain trust has not as yet whispered to its charge, if not in the Army, you’re in the pro biz now - recommendation here is the name of the game is to fight fire with fire.

Finally; a slow-paced affair going the full dozen - and were it held at the old  Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn club fight venue of yesteryear, to be sure we’d be hearing more than a few choruses of "let me call you sweetheart" before it’s a done deal.

GEL -

Questions? Comments? Email George Elsasser

11-29-2005