Hopkins would have beaten Calzaghe decisively in a rematch. Yes/No?

I definitely think so. In fact, many observers (including those from the British press) had Hopkins winning the first fight outright. This was a Hopkins that was strictly a counterpuncher and didn't press the action, waiting to land opportune crisp punches against Calzaghe's powerless flurries (many of which hit nothing but air and shoulders). Yet it was enough to knock down Calzaghe, stagger him in the 7th, and come out ahead on the BBC's and other press row scorecards.

The Hopkins of the last several fights, under Nazim Richardson, has vastly improved. You can definitely tell a difference between this Hopkins and the Hopkins that fought Calzaghe under Freddie Roach. Hopkins tends to do better in rematches, and under Nazim Richardson, he has definitely improved. He concentrates on the body more, developed more power in the right hand, and improved his ability to jab and set up punches.

How would this Hopkins fare against Calzaghe in a rematch if it had taken place? Calzaghe avoided the rematch like the plague, despite Hopkins willing to travel to Wales to fight him there. I think we know why....

Hopkins TKO 10 Calzaghe, or wins a clear UD. Once he hurts Calzaghe, he won't let off like he did last time.

 

Answer, yes! He won the first fight, he would make the matter crystal clear in a rematch. Calzaghe knew this much which is why he tucked tail and ran.

 

:iamwiths:lzdie:ban1:ban1:ban1:ban1

Obvious troll thread as Calzaghe smashed up prime Hop for 9 rounds, and was getting KTFO until Yank bottlejob umpire Cortez saved his hide

 

no way.

in a rematch calzaghe wins easy!
hes all wrong for hopkins. too high work rate.

 

That's funny, he never hurt Hopkins once from a punch (low blows don't count ), while Hopkins hurt him several times. In fact, he admitted to being hurt. And his face was marked up after the fight, while Hopkins, though ugly as always, remained unblemished.

And how did the BBC score the fight again?

 

I think yes. I'm a huge Hopkins fan and I has him losing the first fight, but I think he would definitely beat Joe in a rematch.

 

who would want to watch that fight again? horrible!

 

I think Calzaghe would beat Hopkins more impressively. He's too busy and has underestimated intelligence plus it'd be in Wales in front of 70000+.

 

Of course not, the weight and when they fought helped Bernard keep it, somewhat close. He would have never beat Calzaghe, unless Joe was injured or something. Hopkins is just too defensive, and if he opened up Calzaghe with the much faster hands would have hit him alot more.

 

i lose respect for the americans more and more every day. soon they'll have none. you sad bitter narcissists. lose the ****ing ego people. it makes you look BAD!!. calzaghe beat hopkins .. he'd beat any version of hopkins. END OF STORY!! GET OVER IT!!.

 

No, Hopkins loses again. There is no way Bhop beats Calzaghe he got tagged more than any fight before and Calz adjusted from the 3rd round to negate Bhops gameplan, so I'm sure it would be more of the same in the 2nd :thumbsup

 

Calzaghe won easily the first time and would do so again. Hopkins is good but not in Calzaghe's class

 

Calzaghe is all wrong for a 46 year old Hopkins.

 

He may have won a re-match but I doubt he'd have won "decisively". Calzaghe's work-rate would always trouble him and it should be remembered that Joe wasn't like Paul Williams - he had a high ring IQ and could keep applying pressure without becoming too predictable.

Hopkins was clearly capable of hurting Joe and out-boxing him in spots so, if he was capable of living with the high pace, he could certainly win.

 

This more aggressive version of Hopkins gives him a better chance in the rematch.