Lord of Illusions: Bernard Hopkins, Chad Dawson, and Style as Strategy

Throughout the fight, Hopkins fought not to win rounds, but to obscure and obfuscate. His histrionics during the fight—playing the victim, clowning to give the impression of control—were meant to vilify Dawson and sway judges and spectators alike. Hopkins could not win by fighting alone, so he resorted to manipulating the observer to gain an advantage. Hopkins laid the foundation for this manipulation with the tactics he employed before the fight began and tried to build on that foundation rather than simply put his hands on his opponent.

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• Category: Other Sports
• Tags:bernard hopkins, chad dawson