HATS OFF TO B-HOP: AN OPEN LETTER TO BERNARD HOPKINS... by Chris Ackerman
---I wrote this on the plane returning home from Las Vegas following the much-anticipated rematch between champion Jermain Taylor and legend Bernard Hopkins.  Ironically, it came to me as I was being jerked around (by turbulence).  There was only the slightest inclination to publish this, but a visit to various message boards and a reading of a random sampling of recaps and advice pieces convinced me to proceed—
 

"JERMAIN NEEDS A REST?" - ICE JOHN SCULLY DOESN'T SEE EYE TO EYE WITH DiBELLA....
Jermain deserves a rest? Let me see if got this right, so he will fight a professional fight but it will be considered a rest fight? Sounds like a can't miss TV happening there, huh? He deserves a rest? The fights were too tough? He deserves an easy fight so his hometown fans can see him bop out some overmatched opponent so he can look good in front of them?
 

TAYLOR WINS UGLY.... by Chris Ackerman @ringside
After 12 rounds of boxing for the undisputed middleweight championship, Jermain Taylor of Little Rock, Arkansas retained the title with a unanimous 12 round decision that had all three judges with the same score of 115-113.  The fight consisted of a great deal of sporadic engagement that was, in many ways, a mirror image of the first contest.  Hopkins followed Taylor around more this time and after a slow start, the former champion seemed to seize momentum in round 6.  Finding a home for a lead right, Hopkins landed some solid shots and took the opportunity to drop a few groin bombs along the way.

TAYLOR - HOPKINS II: TWO MUCH RESPECT... by Kenny Perrault
The Jermain Taylor - Bernard Hopkins rematch was billed as "No Respect,"  but we saw the total opposite as these fighters showed too much respect for each other. Tonight's fight reflected the first in many ways; with both men standing in front of each other waiting for the other to make the first move. Nearly ever round was close enough that all either fighter had to do was have a strong flurry in the final 30 seconds to take the round. In short, this fight was boring and it reminded me just how boring their first fight was.

TAYLOR EDGES HOPKINS AGAIN... BUT WHAT DOES HIS FUTURE HOLD?... by Chris Robinson
It was the same two fighters in the same city and it was pretty damn reminiscent of their first fight as Jermain Taylor again edged out Bernard Hopkins for a close decision at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. All three judges had the bout 115-113 for Taylor (25-0, 17 KO’s), who holds on to his Middleweight belts. Hopkins drops to 46-4-1 with 32 knockouts and seemed to hint at retirement while leaving the door open for life in boxing outside of Taylor.

EARLY RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS... by Chris Ackerman @ ringside
An unexpected bonus came to media awaiting tonight's showdown in the form of some preliminary bouts.  Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather put on a scintillating display of heart and guts in a raucous 6 round affair that saw both guys firing reckless shots reminiscent of Hagler-Hearns.  Floyd as expected, darted in and out relying heavily on the lead right hand and it proved too much for the game Mosley.  Shane was dropped twice in the 6th and was unable to answer the bell giving Floyd another KO victory.

THE HOPKINS-TAYLOR CALCULUS... by Eddie Goldman
To understand boxing, it helps to be numerate. (That means good with numbers for those of you not that good with words -- sorry, I'm a bit cranky since a recent webby site which used to remunerate me went far dumber than that.) To understand what to expect during Saturday's rematch in Las Vegas between Jermain Taylor (24-0, 17 KOs) and Bernard Hopkins (46-3-1, 32 KOs), a look at the numbers is necessary and maybe even sufficient. 
 

JERMAIN TAYLOR vs BERNARD HOPKINS II... by Mike Indri/RBF
No controversy or unanswered questions after this one.  A more confident and assured Taylor will not allow Hopkins back into this fight during the later rounds, as he did in their first bout. While the experience of Bernard Hopkins tells him he will need to start quicker, apply more pressure and do whatever he must to win, it's just not going to happen.

HOPKINS vs TAYLOR 2: SOMETIMES THE OLD FASHIONED WAY ISN'T THE BEST WAY... by Chris Ackerman

There were many lessons to be taken from their first encounter but I believe it is Taylor who learned from the first fight, not Bernard.  After that lengthy of a career I don’t think he is going to try anything new, or that he even could if he wanted to…and he is without Bouie Fisher.  Taylor will rack up early points again, and by round 6 Hopkins will turn up the heat. This time Jermain won't be tense and edgy like the last time, over-anxious, swinging for the fences, off balance...unprofessional. 
Bernard Hopkins is described as a throwback fighter who does it the old fashioned way.  But sometimes the old fashioned way isn’t the best way…things get old fashioned for a reason.  Jermain Taylor’s time has come and should he get the win, I hope fans embrace him as champion in the manner he deserves. 
 

OFFICIALS ASSIGNED TO TAYLOR-HOPKINS 2 AND LARIOS-VAZQUEZ
Jay Nady will be the third man in the ring when Jermain Taylor defends his WBC/WBA/WBO middleweight titles against Bernard Hopkins Saturday night, Dec. 3rd at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The assigned judges are Dave Moretti, Chuck Giampa and Patricia Morse Jarman.

HOPKINS vs TAYLOR 2: THE FIGHT FOR A PLACE IN HISTORY... by Oleg Bershadsky
"He started too late” or “he gave up too many early rounds,” were just some of the criticisms regarding Hopkins’ strategy for the first fight. Taylor faced criticisms regarding his stamina, which seemed to fade in the championship rounds, and his inability to stop the Hopkins’ right hand. The good news for both fighters is that they had ample time to correct some of their mistakes, the bad news is that some of them may not be correctable. 

HOPKINS - TAYLOR II - ANOTHER COIN FLIP... by George Elsasser
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.
 

HOPKINS-TAYLOR II: THE PLOT THICKENS... by Chris Ackerman
The sport is suffering too many ills to list and the virus has spread, causing a malaise among fans and media alike.  Symptoms include fatigue, irritability, depression, difficulty concentrating and in advanced cases, nausea and diarrhea.  The cure is hopefully being developed and in the meantime the only treatment is relentless optimism, some desert air and the occasional adrenalin shot; my next appointment is December 3rd in Las Vegas. 
 

WHY B-HOP WILL PULL IT OUT OF HIS HAT... by Jim Amato
Jermain Taylor won his first fight with Bernard Hopkins fair and square.   Bernard made an error in judgment in starting too slow. He spotted a young  and talented Taylor a head start that try as he might, Bernard was unable  to make up. It cost the ever proud Hopkins his World's middleweight title.