I'll take the Philly boy.
Predictions on the Fight
What experts are saying about Hopkins versus De La Hoya:
For Hopkins
J. Russell Peltz, Boxing Hall of Fame promoter:"I think Hopkins will win either with a late stoppage or by decision. I think De La Hoya is tougher than people give him credit for, but the trouble with De La Hoya is that he's an eight-round fighter. I think Hopkins will wear him down."
Joe Hand Sr., Philadelphia boxing promoter:"Hopkins by knockout. I think he's much stronger and has more punching ability. I think De La Hoya is overmatched at this point in his career."
Mike McCallum, former world champion: "I think if De La Hoya had competed more [as a middleweight], he'd have a better shot of winning. The champion has been there a long time. That's his weight."
For De La Hoya
Bert Sugar, boxing historian: "De La Hoya by decision. I think it's all going to come down to one reason. If the referee breaks them quickly, De La Hoya wins. If he doesn't, Hopkins wins because that's his turf - inside. It's De La Hoya's speed versus Bernard's wear-down power. If De La Hoya gets into the later rounds, which I think he will, what are 39-year-old legs that have to chase him going to look like?"
Toss-up
Roberto Duran, former world champion:"It's a tough fight to break down. I give you one possibility. If it goes to decision, I know De La Hoya wins. If he loses, he has to lose by knockout."
