Hopkins Gored

Well, the hit them again curse strikes again. It looks like 2005 is going to be the year that the new regimes begin. Personally I thought Hopkins did just enough to shade Taylor (115/114) and retain his title but the judges didn’t and hell, it was a close one, you couldn’t really argue too much against the decision. I thought Hopkins finished the stronger taking the last 4 rounds after an even first and Taylor taking the next couple but those lapses in the middle rounds (6,7 & 8) cost him. So Hopkins only has himself to blame, he just went too easy at times, giving Taylor the early part of the fight and easing off in the middle when he had Taylor in trouble (well, if not in trouble, he had him bothered) but I’m sure the executioner knows that anyway.
I would like to know though what happened to the old maxim – you have to win it from the champion because as good as Taylor was (and he was pretty good early) I don’t believe he ever really posed a threat to Hopkins.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the rematch. Will Hopkins come out harder this time? Will his age show against him? Will Taylor make the mistake of taking it easy ala Rachman/Lewis 2 or will he still go in fast and relying on his youth and speed? Let’s hope that we do get to see the fight and that politics and paydays don’t get in the way.