Photo by Brendan Montenegro/Round By Round Boxing
Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Bernard Hopkins is a marvel in how he’s nearly 50 years old and is still headlining major boxing cards, fighting for and holding world recognized championship belts. While his fights aren’t the most exciting in terms of action, his slick boxing ability and way of frustrating his mostly younger, sometimes half his age opponents can be an interesting watch. This weekend in Atlantic City might just be an exception. He’s fighting a guy not many people that aren’t hardcore boxing fans have heard of in Karo Murat. Murat doesn’t have any real major upsets or big knockouts on his resume. Outside of the amazing feat Hopkins being a champion at nearly 50, there is nothing exciting about this Saturday’s fight. My diagnosis is another win where B-Hop outboxes and frustrates another opponent. My diagnosis for this card? November 2nd can’t come fast enough.
Prediction: Hopkins
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
I’ve never been too attracted to Hopkins’ style. He’s definitely a master tactician, but I’ve always thought there’s just something missing. Aside from opinions, Hopkins will absolutely win this fight. Murat is good, but he lacks the experience to beat a future hall of famer and oldest world champion. Hopkins will toy with Murat for 12 rounds and get a decision win.
Prediction: Hopkins
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
Let’s be honest here, Karo Murat is tailor made for Bernard Hopkins. Murat is a come forward fighter, similar to Tavoris Cloud, Kelly Pavlik, and Jean Pascal. Hopkins—with his ring IQ alone—beats almost any Light Heavyweight any day or night, but the wily veteran can also still stun opponents. This is just a European fringe contender whose better days were a weight class below, fighting one of the best technical fighters of this generation. I have Hopkins by a yawn-fest unanimous 12-Round decision to keep his IBF Light Heavyweight Title.
Prediction: Hopkins
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This fight will be a dance, showing how young a 48 year old Hopkins is. Hopkins is in extremely great condition, lives a very clean and healthy lifestyle, and still dances around the ring like a 20 year old. Hopkins will win the fight, but the real question is, will Hopkins get the knockout. Hopkins has not had a knockout since his fight against Oscar De La Hoya in 2004.
Prediction: Hopkins
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
I know what you’re thinking, snooze fest. Well I can’t argue that point. The ageless wonder continues to defy logic and compete in a younger man’s game. You can’t argue with his dedication and conditioning. At this point it’s Bernard vs. Father Time. Murat is no world beater and he is the perfect fighter for Bernard. He is not a pressure fighter so style wise this may not be easy to watch. Bernard’s ring IQ is only matched by PBF so I envision him picking his spots and grappling, holding and punching his way to a victory.
Prediction: Hopkins
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
There isn’t much to say about this matchup. Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins is 48 years old (in human years) and is still as sharp as ever. To paraphrase a saying that Hopkins has used in the past; fighters don’t get old overnight, they get old in training. Rest assured that Hopkins will be ready to shock naysayers once again and defend his title. Hopkins has been willing to mix it up more than usual in his last few fights so let’s hope this isn’t a sloppy, one-sided domination.
Prediction: Hopkins
