Hopkins/Wright bios:

Reciting a long-used cliché, Bernard Hopkins has always done it his way. He's ignored criticism in regard to his tentative style, he built his legacy under his own management, and most recently, tried his luck in the light-heavyweight division at an age in which he should have been counting his money and watching his greatest hits on TV. But instead Hopkins has garnished his legacy once more with a victory over Antonio Tarver last year to become light-heavyweight champion. So in a way, fighting a fighter ranked as high as number three pound-for-pound who is arguably the top defensive fighter active is not a surprise.

     What isn't a cliché is stating that Wright has always done it his way as well (with some help from trainer Dan Birmingham). And there's no doubt he has as well. Winky Wright, once only best known by hardcore boxing fans who had seen some of his performances on ESPN2 or on undercards of big fights, never left his management in search for bigger and more lucrative opportunities and instead kept beating the fighters he was supposed to beat until his upset of Shane Mosley in '04. The shocking and one-sided victory put him on track for several other of those ever-elusive big fights such as a rematch against Mosley, a bout against cash-cow Felix Trinidad, and undisputed middleweight kingpin Jermain Taylor. And Wright could of arguably of went 3-0 if he would of gotten the nod against Taylor. So once again, fighting at a weight ten pounds heavier than his current weight (which he appears small for to begin with) against the undisputed champion who happens to be an all-time great is no surprise either.

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Hopkins' Strengths: old-school technique, right hand lead, sound defensively, patience, hand-speed, body-punching, conditioning, and counter-punching.

Hopkins' Advantages vs. Wright: strength, height, proven ability against light-heavies.

Wright's strengths: solid right jab, unpredictable attack, can fight a high-octane fight if necessary, expanding arsenal, younger and fresher legs, balance, world-class defensive prowess.

Wright's advantages vs. Hopkins: at 35 years of age he's 7 years younger, better jab, arguably the best defensive fighter Hopkins has been pitted against.

Hopkins' weaknesses: can become vulnerable and off-balanced if he misses a shot, can sometimes be too tentative.

Wright's weaknesses: size at 170 lbs, weak puncher, has taken significantly more punches than has been the case earlier in his career.

The questions: Wright's compatibility at 175, Hopkins' reaction to a fighter who may be exceedingly difficult to find at times, Hopkins' age (which is always a question since the late nineties).