Showtime Tripleheader gives BHOP a chance to add more legend to his longevity
By Chris Carlson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 18 Apr 2014
The legend of longevity Bernard Hopkins returns to a familiar place of Washington D.C. to once again add more depth to an already legendary career.
Standing in his way of becoming the oldest unified champion is Beibut Shumenov, a fighter with one loss facing his first huge test. Will it be another day at the office for Hopkins? Or will power and youth be the deciding factor?
In the illustrious career of a living legend one can't help to wonder how much longer Hopkins can stay on top of his game. Every current athlete is on a Hunger Games list of nature eventually taking course.
Who ever or whatever is responsible for creating humans beings must admire the fountain of youth/Alien body of Hopkins. When, or should I say if he passes away, hopefully far down the line, his body will be a perfect subject for doctors all across the world.
Hopkins loss a step or two quite a while ago, and even without his ability to execute opposition with power, he?s gained more tricks in a trade that is no joking matter once the bell rings.
The man sharing the ring will be once beaten IBF 175 pound Champion Beibut Shumenov, whom many think has a slim chance to win this fight.
Power and youth is really the only thing Shumenov has as a weapon heading into his battle with Bhop. Maybe age won't be a factor but at least the damage he has received is low with only 15 fights.
His resume is shallow which is to be expected with low number of fights as a professional. The only name that stands out would be his two close fights with Gabriel Campillo, who was much close to his prime than the version we saw in 2013.
With only one fight in 2012 and one in 2013, Shumenov?s inactivity could make his legs and arms in the championship rounds feel extra heavy.
Shumenov is pretty much a straight forward fighter with total destruction on his mind. A style that would seem to be a perfect fit for the counterpunching Hopkins.
Slow footed brawlers are nothing foreign to the man who we now rightfully know as the Alien. It's hard not to assume that this fight will be nothing more than a live sparring session with the outcome already written.
No matter how you scored Beibut's fights with Campillo, unless a big punch is landed that has enough impact to hurt Hopkins badly and more than once, it should be relatively smooth sailing for Bhop.
Hopkins has entertained the crowd in recent years and this matchup should produce just that. Bhop's foot speed has never been great and slow enough now that we could see him in yet another two-way scrap.
The jab mixed with defense will prove to be too much for Shumenov, who's goal it is to trap old man winter on the ropes. Assuming he can cut the ring off on Hopkins, this fight could resemble his last against Karo Murat, who made him work in nearly every round.
Bhop's mind and skill will be the keys to victory as always leading him to a huge lineal unification fight with Adonis Stevenson.
My official prediction is Bernard "The Alien" Hopkins by Unanimous Decision.
Shumenov will make Hopkins work for every inch, slowing adding up to a competitive fight with majority of the close rounds won by the clean punching of Bernard Hopkins.
Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of Rope A Dope Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio
Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
YouTube Channel ?The Rope A Dope Report? Subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/user/kg21carlito
Visit http://ropeadoperadio.wordpress.com/
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 10 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Thu, 10 Jul 20254 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 10 Jul 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
Thu, 10 Jul 2025