I’ll trade you my Couture for your Lesnar…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Ultimate Fighting Championship and Topps have agreed to a multi-year deal to have Topps brand UFC trading cards. It will feature former, current and future fighters. How they can determine who a future fighter is I have no idea.
Anyway, it got me thinking about the good ol’ days when I used to collect sports cards. I still have a stash of Kevin Johnson (former ALL-TIME great Phoenix Suns guard) cards in my closet. I remember there were so many different kinds of cards. I lost track after things like Fleer Ultra and Upper Deck, but trading cards used to be the coolest. Who didn’t buy every copy of Beckett Monthly to see what the value of their cards were.
But with UFC, it brings me back to the kiddie days. Seriously, what is the value of a Rampage Jackson compared to a Tito Ortiz? I think it’s kinda cool. And what kind of different sets are there going to be? A Legends set with people like Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie and people like that?
The cards will be launched early next year. I’m still on the fence about whether or not I want to start collecting the cards. It’ll be interesting to see how this is marketed.
Onto boxing, where we have another vintage young vs. old matchup: Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins. I went on a little trip down memory lane with The Ghost and watched his fights against Edison Miranda and Jermain Taylor.
I just don’t see how Hopkins can beat Pavlik. Pavlik’s got a beard on him, too. The only way Pavlik loses is he allows himself to be conned into Hopkins’ game. That means throwing only 20-30 punches a round. Getting involved in rough-house tactics on the inside.
Pavlik can win this fight with his jab alone. Now I don’t want him to, but he could. He could simply keep Bernard at bay and out of reach. But I want Pavlik to make that statement. Go after him. I’ve never seen Hopkins truly hurt. I think Pavlik can take him.
But make Hopkins work. Don’t let him get away with his usual tricks. Chad Dawson somewhat did it to Antonio Tarver last week. Now it’s time for another young gun to do the same.
Official prediction: Pavlik unanimous decision Hopkins. I think it’ll be in the neighborhood of 116-112, 115-113.
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