who do you like in this fight, mrs.peel?
Clash of the champions – a closer look
April 13, 2001 – The first semi-final of the world middleweight championship tournament takes place tomorrow night at New York’s Madison Square Garden as Bernard Hopkins matches his IBF title against the WBC version of Keith Holmes. Joe Queijo takes a scientific look at the clash of champions.
The bout between the fellow Americans is a mouth-watering clash between two quality fighters at their respective peaks. The winner will face the victor of WBA champion William Joppy’s bout with pound-for-pounder Felix Trinidad in the most important middleweight bout since Marvin Hagler hammered Tommy Hearns in 1985.
“The Executioner” is favoured to beat Holmes and, indeed, is some people’s pick to be the last man standing at the end of the tournament. But what do you think? Read Joe’s analysis of the first semi-final and email SecondsOut mailto:boxingeditorial@umbrellamedia.com with your views – is Hopkins going to win? And, if he does, will he win the whole tournament?
KEITH HOLMES
STYLE: Has a 36-2 (24) record; a slick southpaw with fast hands; fires accurate combinations and works the body well. However, has been known to lose focus during some bouts; has excellent stamina.
PUNCH: A hard puncher; southpaw right hook is most damaging blow though left cross is also dangerous; has toppled quality fighters like Quincy Taylor (KO 9), Richie Woodhall (KO 12) and Hassine Cherifi (KO 7).
CHIN: Good. Briefly wobbled by Britain’s Robert McCracken in an otherwise faultless display. However, the only legitimate puncher he has faced is Quincy Taylor, who he easily dominated.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WINS: KO 9 Quincy Taylor, KO 12 Richie Woodhall, KO 7 Hassine Cherifi, KO 3 Kelcie Banks
OPPOSITION: Good. He was outpointed in eighth pro bout by unknown Ronald Hammon, but viciously stopped one-time top class amateur Kelcie Banks in first big test. Beat reliable Andrew Council twice on points. Knocked out, and retired, Quincy Taylor for WBC middleweight belt. Stopped the undefeated future super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall and halted former junior middleweight title-holder Paul Vaden in 11. European champion Hassine Cherifi got off the floor to outpoint him a shock result. Battered the Frenchman in seven to regain crown. Cherifi duly went the distance with William Joppy recently.
STRATEGY TO BEAT HOPKINS: Needs to make southpaw jab a dominant weapon from outset of contest. Must negate Hopkins from landing his powerful straight right hand. Most tie Hopkins up on the inside stopping him from working the body and landing those dangerous short right uppercuts
BERNARD HOPKINS
STYLE: 38-1-2-1 (28). Was a fast starting puncher early in his career and piled up a slew of early kayos. Has developed into an all round pro. Has good jab, effective hook, terrific right and uppercut. Works as well from range as on the inside where he is an excellent body puncher. Is a good counter-puncher. Mentally very tough.
PUNCH: Biggest puncher in the division. Lighting straight right is primary weapon which has scored him 28 kayos though right uppercut is also very damaging. Stopped quality fighters like former undefeated No1 contender Joe Lipsey (KO 4), former champ Simon Brown (KO 6), slick counter-puncher Segundo Mercado (KO 7), interim champ Robbie Allen (KO 7) and fellow puncher Antwun Echols (KO 10) in his last bout.
CHIN: Good. Took Roy Jones’ punches without apparent effect. Was floored twice in first bout with Ecuador’s Segundo Mercado though recovered quickly. Floored by illegal punch on the break in first fight with Antwun Echols. Dominated the rest of the bout.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WINS: KO 10 Antwun Echols, KO 7 Segundo Mercado, KO 4 Joe Lipsey, KO 6 Simon Brown.
OPPOSITION: Very good. Outpointed in pro debut but returned after a years layoff. Kayoed former world title challenger Dennis Milton in four, Wayne Powell in one for NABF crown. Gave Roy Jones trouble before losing decision in his first title bout. Trounced former junior middle champ Lupe Aquino on points before getting a rousing draw in Ecuador against local fighter Segundo Mercado for vacant IBF belt. Hammered Mercado in quick rematch for seventh round win. Kayoed unbeaten southpaw Joe Lipsey with a wicked right uppercut in four. Stopped former 154lbs and 160lbs champ John David Jackson in seven. Former welter and light middle champ Simon Brown fell in six.
No contest, sprained ankle falling out of ring, with big punching southpaw Robbie Allen. Kayoed Allen, who had ridiculously become interim champ, in seven. Hard-punching Antwun Echols outpointed and then badly beaten for a 10th round kayo in return whilst Hopkins seemingly had a damaged right shoulder. Twelve successful defenses.
STRATEGY TO BEAT HOLMES: Needs to start fast and find room for his big right. Must work Holmes body and where possible force the fight in the inside where he should dominate. Has to take Holmes jab away.
VERDICT: So who will win Hopkins-Holmes? Email us mailto:boxingeditorial@umbrellamedia.com your verdict, stating who you are and where you’re from.
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