It is nearly time for the very intriguing fight between veteran Bernard Hopkins and undefeated Kelly Pavlik. The pair meet in the ring on Saturday and ahead of the fight Hopkins has claimed that he is in excellent condition despite his advancing years.

Hopkins, 43, is a rather incredible 17 years older than Pavlik, but the American is convinced that this will not be an issue. He says that he put in an ‘investment’ in himself 20 years ago that would guarantee he would still be fighting fit at this stage of his career.

Hopkins claims that his immaculate lifestyle has led to doctors being shocked by his excellent condition. There is certainly no doubt that he is fully prepared for this weekend’s bout and that if he does lose, it won’t be done to lack of fitness.

We have heard all of this before from ‘The Executioner’ though. Ahead of the contest between him and Joe Calzaghe earlier this year, he was claiming that he would wipe the floor with the Welshman. This wasn’t the case though as even though Hopkins made Calzaghe work extremely hard, the British boxer secured a points victory.

Something else I remember in the build up to this fight was similar comments by Hopkins regarding the age difference between him and Calzaghe. Well, this was only a seven year gap and in the end it was a factor in Calzaghe emerging victorious. Considering that Pavlik is an extra ten years younger – that really could play its part, regardless of how fit Hopkins is.

As for Pavlik himself, he is undefeated in 34 fights and is in confident mood ahead of the battle with Hopkins. He says that he is ‘going there to win’ and will ideally do so by knock out. Pavlik does admire the legacy of Hopkins though, saying that he is a ‘legend’ who he would like to emulate one day.

In my opinion, Pavlik will go a step closer to doing just that when he defeats Hopkins on Saturday. The fight could start similarly to the Calzaghe one, but with Pavlik’s extra firepower I expect a 7th round stoppage. That’s what I will be placing my boxing betting money on.

Pavlik always capitalises on opponents mistakes and with his long left jab setting up his power right – he could have too much for Hopkins. The veteran may possess an incredible determination to win, but unless he controls the pace of the fight from the start – it’s defeat for him in Atlantic City.

Written by Thomas Rooney