This will be a good fight for about 6 rounds, but Cloud's strength and youth will prevail, Cloud will win the second half of the title bout to win a close but unanimous decision. Hopkins experience will keep him in the fight as well as conditioning.
Normally I'd agree with the consensus that "Bhop wins a stinker", but I've been hearing that Cloud was a monster up in Big Bear and cloud is also an extremely strong volume puncher with a lot of world class experience at this point. Those are things that could give a 48 year old who rarely throws more than 15 punches per round, a lot of trouble. I'm picking Cloud to lose some early rounds; then beat up and stop an ancient over night Hopkins.
I am going way out on a limb on this one and saying Hopkins by later rounds stoppage. How? Everyone is saying how much of an aggressive fighter Cloud is, but he is straight ahead agressive, like Pascal was, like Pavlic was, like Tarver was. He is tailor made for Hopkins' style. People underestimate Hopkins' power. He has never been a huge puncher, but there is something to be said for using your opponent's aggression to your advantage. I think that Cloud has a lot of anxiety going into this fight he HAS to win, so he is going to come out to dominate the "old man" and I think that leaves him open to something he won't be expecting.
Hopkins in a messy clinching, grabbing , circling dull controversial decision.
Cloud by UD. Boring fight.
Who? How? Why?
