The first match it was nearly even money from open to fight time. Now, all that has changed is Hopkins has aged and now knows what he can't do inside the ropes and win.
It seemed obvious that Dawson's powerful hands and top notch speed at that weight would make a long and difficult bout for Hopkins and allowing Dawson to open it up at any time he feels. While many feel revenge for Dawson to brutalize Hopkins, would only play into the part for Hopkins by allowing the defensive master to save energy while losing rounds in the hopes Dawson fights on emotion and not intellect. I feel Dawson will have strong spurts of domination but also knows he can dominate just jabbing and staying fundamental.
Hopkins needs Dawson to play the emotion card and use up max energy and allow Hopkins to cease the mid-late rounds with spurts of precision predicated on the over-exerted Dawson.
Dawson will keep pressure on by walking him down using jabs, 1-2 combos, and body shots against the ropes. Nothing spectacular, but enough after 4 to 5 rounds force Hopkins to realize again that his game plan is not going according to plan. Hopkins now will either start doing antics to razzle Dawson or get himself DQ'd.
It's quite funny how people were picking Hopkins in fight one as the odds were roughly even money. Now in the rematch (Dawson -400/ Hopkins +300) and Total Rounds 9.5 (Over -550/ Under +450), the only thing that changed was Hopkins is getting closer to age 50 and fans got to see the reality fight, not what they hoped to see. Many fans that believed that that arm incident was a total accident. Notice something different now from the Hopkins original bettors that claimed Dawson needed to cheat. Previously at near even money, Hopkins was a great value. Now (a guesstimate) over 80% of the original Hopkins fans and Hopkins money side have now disappeared. If all is still equal, getting +300 (double to triple the previous odds), you'd assume they would be all over this one. Some handicappers woke up, others remain quiet.
Overall, people ask why they are having this fight. Mainly because as much of a joke people claim it to be, it will sell because the boxing world and promotions have become a better seel for comedy than HBO comedy and Comedy Central.
BTW- Now people are predicting Dawson a win by KO (TKO,etc) in middle rounds. I'm curious that Total Rounds 9.5 and Under +450 (or more) aren't the Topic of many threads as this would be my wager if many believe what they have typed. Also, by a fluke you can get Hopkins to win as well.
Good Luck and Good Betting! Enjoy the fight, if it is a real one and not a theatrical stunt!