DAN'S PREDICTION -
In a re-match from their very controversial fight last year, Bernard Hopkins will once again attempt to take George Foreman's record when he fights the WBC & IBO Light Heavyweight champion Jean Pascal. The build-up to this fight has picked exactly where the last one left off, with both guys getting into heated exchanges almost every time they cross paths. Pascal has made it clear that he wants Bernard to stand & trade with him this time around & although Hopkins has stated that he will be looking to knock Pascal out, I think the veteran will not give Pascal the satisfaction of getting drawn into a brawl. Pascal is extremely dangerous early on in his fights and I expect Hopkins to be especially cautious in the opening rounds. In my opinion B-Hop won the first fight & had Pascal figured out in the after the initial few rounds, this is what is leading me to go with 'The Executioner' once again via unanimous decision - BERNARD HOPKINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION!!!.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIKE'S PREDICTION - Father time versus Jean Claude van Damme II. It will be much the same – very close, ugly and not for the feint hearted. I went with Berny last time, but I think Jean will have the experience of that fight under his belt and will now understand what he needs to do to get the better of BHOP. So I will go for Pascal on points - JEAN PASCAL VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION!!!.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOHN'S PREDICTION - This is very interesting return match between these two fighters. I had scored Hopkins winning the first encounter by one round on my scorecards.
I feel that Pascal has a lot more questions to answer in coming up with a game plan to not let history happen this weekend. The main problems Pascal will have to answer is can Pascal finish the fight in the early stages before it goes to the second half, as Hopkins endurance to fight for 12 rounds is unquestionable. Pascal must also answer the question of can he knock the executioner out, as Hopkins although got knocked down by the French man he got right back up and didn't quit... That surely will be playing in the back of Pascal's mind?
I am liking the battle of the psychology between the two fighters and believe Hopkins has won the battle of the mind games.
I actually don't see the rematch going to the scorecards this time round as I believe Hopkins will have more of a urgency to not let it end up in the hands of the judges.
The executioner will execute a 11th round stoppage when Pascal's stamina and endurance will be slowing down and will become a broken man, and we will finally witness history in the making this Saturday night - BERNARD HOPKINS VIA ELEVENTH ROUND STOPPAGE !!!.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAYNE'S PREDICTION -
This is definitely the fight of the night and one which I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome of. Hopkins definitely had my decision in the first fight and will be looking to rectify that in the next saga! I think the contest will very very similar to the first, explosive and hard to call but I'm going for the old timer in this one - BERNARD HOPKINS VIA SPLIT DECISION!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEN'S PREDICTION - Hopkins the durable, stubborn, aging fighter is once again stepping into the ring. But I believe after this fight he could / should call time on a glittering career.
The young Pascal should have speed on his side and therefore shouldn't get caught. He knocked Hopkins down a couple of times in their previous bout and I can see him doing so again - JEAN PASCAL BY UNANIMOUS DECISION!!!.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAMES DEGALE VS GEORGE GROVES
PAUL'S PREDICTION - I've seen first hand the training that James has been doing with Nathan Cleverly throughout the last few weeks and although there maybe a lot of bad blood and drama at many of the press conference, believe me in front of the camera James may come across as cocky but behind the closed doors of the gym he is all business.
Rumours coming out of Miami state that George has been having trouble with some of his sparring partners which has left him on more than one occasion turning up to press conferences with blackened eyes. His sparring as come from the brilliant Andre Dirrell which should come in handy as both he and Degale have similar styles.
David Haye in the weeks following the fight has tried to convince us that George will easily take this fight based primarily on his power but on watching previous bouts from both men there is definitely a devide in skill set too much in my opinion for George to close.
I look for this to be all done and dusted within six rounds with James Degale stopping Groves with one of his hard accurate combinations - JAMES DEGALE VIA 6TH ROUND STOPPAGE!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAN'S PREDICTION -
The grudge match between George Groves and James Degale has been reaching a boiling point in recent weeks & we could well see some fireworks in this fight. Even though Groves defeated Degale in the amateur ranks, both fighters have changed a lot since then and as we all know the professional ranks are a different beast altogether. I think Degale holds all the advantages in this fight and he should be able to get the win within 4 rounds - JAMES DEGALE VIA 4TH ROUND STOPPAGE!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIKE'S PREDICTION - Groves versus DeGale is a fight I have been looking forward to seeing for over a year. Such contrasts in styles, such hatred and both have the talent to go a long way in the sport. They have form together with Groves winning in the amateurs, but I’d park that one as the fighters have developed a lot in the seven years since that battle. In the last three fights Degale has looked like a Rolls Royce, elegant, serene and classy, whilst Groves has spluttered like my old Nissan Sunny (he even has that bit of rust on top) a car that always got me to my destination but always had me doubting that I would get there. Groves has great heart and determination, a character that DeGale may possess, but has not needed to show in the pro ranks. Skills wise I can only see one winner, DeGale has every punch in the book and all are thrown with tremendous accuracy. He doesn't’t waste many exchanges and snaps a great jab, mixed with lightening quick follow ups. Groves can swing wildly and will leave himself open to knockout punches – Kenny Anderson should have taken his undefeated record, but Groves dug deep and got the job done. I can see DeGale winning this one within 6 rounds, he will be too quick and too accurate. As he keeps saying, “Ugly Boiiis 0 has got to go”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAYNE'S PREDICTION - With all due respect for Groves I don't think this fight should be happening. Yes he has the heart but when your as open as him against DeGale you cant see anyway he's going to come out of this a winner, Unless he learns to keep his chin in, the only thing he'll be seeing at the end is stars... Although I'm not a huge fan of DeGale's I think he's a quality fighter who's starting to progress very well within the division and although I think the top fighters mentioned will be too soon for him this year I think you will see him in a few big fights in the near future.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEN'S PREDICTION - These two now face each other for the first time in the professional ring.
A lot has been made about these two fighters and their dislike for one another. Personally, I don’t believe it but nevertheless it’s helped promote this fight and filled the column inches in the build up.
DeGale is seen as the next big thing but is he the genuine article or is he over hyped just because he’s British? Personally I think this guy has the ability to go all the way.
You have to admit he hasn't’t put a foot wrong so far in his career and was very slick when he beat Paul Smith to win the British title.
Groves, yes he beat DeGale in the amateurs and is quick but is he too loose and can he remember to keep his guard up which has tended to be non existent during his other fights.
I have a feeling this will be a cagey affair early doors with both boxers knowing each other well. Groves’ best chance is to finish this early because the longer it progresses, the more DeGale will show his qualities I'm going for a tenth round stoppage in favour of James
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOHN'S PREDICTION - This is the battle that British boxing fans have been anticipating for quite some time. I feel it will come down to who can implement there game plan the best and stick to it.
DeGale has unbelievable defence and I feel will capitalize on Groves who will be trying to press forward and take the initiative in counter punching.
Groves has many aspects to his game that DeGale should worry about most importantly the power he carries through in his punches with a KO ratio of over 80% that is some impressive stat.
I see DeGale having much more class in both defence and attack in the end. I feel DeGale can execute consistent inside work and closes the gap down in the middle stages of this fight.
I do not see this fight going to the cards with how much pride and rivalry is on stake this Saturday night which is why I'm going for Degale via eighth round knockout
