If Hopkins challenged and fought Calzaghe at 168 in 2002, but in US...

It would always be a close fight, stylistically they are both nightmares for each other.

 

well, it is considering calzaghe, unlike the fighters you just mentioned, had the potential to beat them both!

 

i can only come to the conclusion that calzaghe would have won. i don't see how anyone with an ounce of boxing knowledge could come to any other conclusion,

 

its fair to say that hopkins would have made it difficult and messy for calzaghe, but that mans workrate, matched with his movement and chin, would prevail against anyonme i feel (except maybe a prime RJJ)

 

His chin isn't granite. Knocked down by old-ass Hopkins and Jones?

 

Based on what? Calzaghe couldn't outbox Hopkins and he would find it harder to simply overwhelm a younger more active BHop. When Bhop did throw he had no problem connecting so if he throws more he clearly lands more.

We have all heard the expression a good offense can be a good defense. Would Calzaghe keep pressing like he did when they actually fought if he is getting hit. We saw Calzaghe forced to box more when Kessler started landing with the uppercuts. Could a more active, aggressive Hopkins not do the same? Because if he did Calzaghe would find himself losing a decision.

 

pretty good point but Calzaghe was green in the Eubank fight and was awful for the Reid fight. i think if Calzaghe turns up on form then my prediction is a formality, if not im not so sure.

 

Okay how about against boxer/puncher Kessler. Joe wasn't able to simply come forward and overwhelm him as he was getting caught in the middle rounds and went back to moving and boxing behind the jab.

So many people focus on Calzaghe's workrate but he had so many other attributes. He was a very quick, skillful boxer as well, he was a complete fighter which is why he would give anybody a tough fight and that includes a prime Jones Jr.

Either way a fight between Hopkins and Calzaghe would always be close. Though I give Hopkins the edge I just think he's better defensively and technically.

 

Actually I find that this fight would be very interesting and exciting, not like their dull fight that happened years later

 

but recovered easily and instantly like he has done before.

 

Hopkins in 2002 just unified the Middleweight Division and was ranked P4P #1 after beating Trinidad and Echols.

Calzaghe was beating up the likes of Tocker Pudwil and Mario Veit and was holding onto the WBO belt he won in 1997.

Given these circumstances, BHop would have clearly have been made favorite, and the only advantage Calzaghe would have had is that the fight is made at 168, Calzaghe's fighting weight.

Even then BHop wasnt a small MW, and could have comfortably made 168.

Circa 2002 BHop didnt show any signs of gassing out, didnt show any signs of being hurt and 12 rounds wasnt a problem, unlike 2008.

I think BHop would have just did what he did against Calzaghe in 2008 but this time he wouldnt gas out, and would have easily boxed the full 12 rounds without stamina problmems.

 

Hold up am I to beleive that Hopkins was that much better in 02 than the one that lost Joe Calzaghe ?

People need to settle on when Hopkins was at his best .Bhops never delt with speed all too well thats why Jermain Taylor was able to be competitive in 2 fights ,the same man that got killed by Pavlik,Froch and Abrham .Jones beat him with one hand but we know he was to green then but it was all about speed .

So the one that smoked a one dimesnional Trinidad has a better chance at beating Joe than the one who beat Tarver and Winky Wright ??:huh

No one will ever ageree when Hopkins was at his best but no matter which one shows up to fight Calzaghe , Joe beats them all .

 

Keep in mind that in 2002, Calzaghe could still punch. That slapping business wouldn't have played a role in the fight, and I think that Calzaghe might have been able to do much better back then. He threw just as many punches at that time, but they were much harder than the ones he was throwing toward the end of his career (including against Kessler and Lacy).

That said, I think it'd be a lot more fun to watch.