I think he meant Little Rock, like where he's from and where Taylor I believe is from too. Here's my analysis for what it's worth. Taylor is an excellent fighter with an excellent pedigree. He's got a very good jab (not GREAT, but very good), he's strong, he can go the distance as he did against Joppy, he's pretty quick, and the point that everyone seems to have been making so far (though I question how relevant it really is, as you'll see), he's young and he's VERY hungry. In other words, this kid's got a legitimate shot at beating Hopkins, because as much as people hate to admit it, age is huge in boxing, and in his fight vs. Eastman Hopkins didn't look like he was always one step ahead like he normally is (he still dominated, but there seemed like there was a little lag in his movements, though this could've been attributed to the fact he was fighting an inferior opponent).
BUT, there's one huge factor in this fight that I think people are overlooking. Hopkins is the ultimate when it comes to mental toughness and mind games. You saw it at the weigh in. He had Taylor in his face (the two looked like they were about to make out they were so close) screaming a buncha nonsense... which is precisely what Taylor should NOT be doing. Taylor needs to focus on his gameplan and use his age and his jab to his advantage, keeping outside of Hopkins and trying to out box him (which has been done before only once, by an at the time unbeatable roy jones jr.). This is why I think experience and Hopkins's mental advantage wins out. Gameplans are great till you get hit... and Hopkins is the master at making a fight fit what he wants to do on that given night. If Taylor had been in there with one or two legitimate contenders before this fight (a tune-up fight with Eastman I think would've been perfect for Taylor), then I think he'd have a much better shot. Just look at what happened to Jason Litzau tonight. Granted, Taylor's much smarter, got more skills, and isn't stupid enough to keep his hands down the entire fight, but it's very easy for a young gun who's undefeated to believe he's on top of the world, and then things don't go the way everyone thought it would (Litzau got caught with a great left hook). Litzau won that fight cuz he wasn't facing a guy who knew how to put it away like Hopkins can. Unfortunately for Taylor, he's getting into the ring with a ring master, a straight thug, and a man who's determined not to be denied.
My prediction: Hopkins by decision.
Of course, I'm not an expert like hardcore, Hilo, or boxlocks, but there's my two cents. Now I'm off to get drunk...
Shakezula
btw... when Hopkins threw down that flag, he knew EXACTLY what he was doing... he completely took Tito out of his game plan, though I think Tito would've lost anyways, but hindsight is 20/20 of course, right?
BUT, there's one huge factor in this fight that I think people are overlooking. Hopkins is the ultimate when it comes to mental toughness and mind games. You saw it at the weigh in. He had Taylor in his face (the two looked like they were about to make out they were so close) screaming a buncha nonsense... which is precisely what Taylor should NOT be doing. Taylor needs to focus on his gameplan and use his age and his jab to his advantage, keeping outside of Hopkins and trying to out box him (which has been done before only once, by an at the time unbeatable roy jones jr.). This is why I think experience and Hopkins's mental advantage wins out. Gameplans are great till you get hit... and Hopkins is the master at making a fight fit what he wants to do on that given night. If Taylor had been in there with one or two legitimate contenders before this fight (a tune-up fight with Eastman I think would've been perfect for Taylor), then I think he'd have a much better shot. Just look at what happened to Jason Litzau tonight. Granted, Taylor's much smarter, got more skills, and isn't stupid enough to keep his hands down the entire fight, but it's very easy for a young gun who's undefeated to believe he's on top of the world, and then things don't go the way everyone thought it would (Litzau got caught with a great left hook). Litzau won that fight cuz he wasn't facing a guy who knew how to put it away like Hopkins can. Unfortunately for Taylor, he's getting into the ring with a ring master, a straight thug, and a man who's determined not to be denied.
My prediction: Hopkins by decision.
Of course, I'm not an expert like hardcore, Hilo, or boxlocks, but there's my two cents. Now I'm off to get drunk...
Shakezula
btw... when Hopkins threw down that flag, he knew EXACTLY what he was doing... he completely took Tito out of his game plan, though I think Tito would've lost anyways, but hindsight is 20/20 of course, right?
