Calzaghe had a Hopkins fight, I believe in 2002, I think it would have occurred in 2003. Hopkins negotiated with Showtime and Warren & Calzaghe gave into everything. Showtime would overpay Hopkins for Hakkar, then one more fight, then Calzaghe for $6m and Hopkins agreed. Then all of a sudden he comes back asking for double so Showtime pulled out. When they did fight eventually, you think that was a war? I thought it was terrible.
Another false equivalency. Dawson started his career at 19 years old, and moved up extremely quickly. He never stayed at middleweight with an intent to compete their for his career. Eubank obviously had an easier time making 160, and 168. And again, it's blatant that Eubank clearly wasn't close to being anywhere near as weight drained as Dawson was. It's a dumb comparison. Disagree, I had Joe winning with or without the deduction. You're the not the brightest are you?
From what I remember, 168 was pretty popular during the latter part of his reign, at least as far as fan interest goes.
Both Jones & Hopkins pussied out of boxing him in their prime. This content is protected #168GOAT #46-0forever #noblueprint #allnatural ...and he did it all with glass hands and a musician for a trainer. Deal with it.
I remember it mostly kicking in with the Super Six, but I wasn't paying as much attention myself during Calzaghe's time tbf. But what scalps at that weight has really stood the test of time bar Kessler and Eubank, who was getting on a bit? The win he has over a quite good prime fighter is really Kessler.
Eubank went down one weight class to face Calzaghe and went up two weight classes straight after, so I think Dino has a case when suggesting he might have been tight at the weight. He was also getting on in years, so it's hardly the Eubank of the early 90's we're talking about here.
Read Joe's book. His old man was sick of him pulling out. Heck, Enzo told Joe that if he didn't face Lacey, because Joe was trying to pull out, he'd quit being his trainer! Joe was a bottle job, period. Funny how Joe got over his fear of flying when RJJ was absolutely finished...
He never fought a prime Roy Jones, and a prime RJJ never fought a prime Calzaghe. All we can say is that when shopworn versions of themselves met, Calzaghe clowned Jones. I think zaggers resume at 168 is better than Jones' resume.