114-113 Hopkins, so says the Associated Press, ESPN.com and many ESBers.

Wrong. One or two flashy shots DO offset a round all the time. If you wobble, KD, stun, etc your opponent then you can steal a round.

 

Given that 27.25% gave round 1 to JOE!!!! I'm afraid I wont be taking that little poll all that seriously!

 

I am American, who lives in Philadelphia (Hops hometown) and attended both Taylor and Tarver fights in support of B-Hop... I scored it 115-112 for Slappy.. Popkins just slowed as the fight progressed.

 

But other than the KD, Hopkins didn't do any of those things. Not in enough rounds to make the difference anyway.

If a shot is just flashy, then NO IT DOES NOT offset a round of steady work. Even if the crowd creams themselves. :deal

 

And that's the bottom line.......

(Fully agree, there were too many rounds that I had to give to Calzaghe only because Hopkins didn't actually do anything).

 

No, you're still wrong. 1 or 2 flashy shots swing a round ALL the time.

In a fight where there honestly wasn't much action, and where Joe only fought in spurts where he threw flurries of splunches, those 2 or 3 strong connects from 'Nard was enough to sway the round on my card. Joe was not being effective, but Nard was effective on defense, thus off-setting Joe's flurries.. it was honestly the fact as the fight wore on and Nard took whole rounds off with really trying to land hard that Joe started winning rounds in the fight.

 

Yes.....sounds out of left field but that is true. Joe hit behind the head on more than a few occasions and he was the one who started fouling. Look...I'm not knocking him. Joe did what he had to do to adapt to his toughest challenge.

Everyone knows Bernard isn't shy with illegal tatics. I think that was a statement from Joe saying that "I'm willing to do anything to win as well". And I think that helped him gain the respect from Bhop who may have thought joe was "too nice".

Joe did a great job reffing the bout. He did let the fighters fight and broke them up when they were wrestling on the inside. He actually HELPED make the fight exciting by not allowing the holding on the inside for more than 5 seconds. Just b/c Joe didn't Dominate an Old fighter like Bernard doesn't mean you have to find excuses to why Joe wasn't schooling his opponent like he did with Kessler and Lacy.

Both men faught well....they both had a game plan and tried to impose that game plan. BHop actually followed his game plan to a "T"...unfortunately Joe is a fighter that can freely adapt to most situations right in the midst of in coming offense. And he adapted to Bhops effective tactical game plan.

If you didn't enjoy the fight then you should watch guys like Gatti, Ward, Wilson ect....those are great exciting fighters...they don't have the skill nor the craft to really be considered ELITE level boxers like Hop and Joe are.

You were missing the subbtle offensive moves by Bhop as well as Joe...they both were working on setting traps but Bhop was doing more of this.

Do you like Chess?? If not then you can't apprecitate fully what took place this past weekend. THis was with out a doubt one of the better "Chess Matches" in the ring that I've seen in a long time. Both men were setting up one anther and since Joe was the aggressor Bhop had his fight foundation all set. Bhop likes being a counter puncher and so does Joe...But joe knew he had to be the aggressor in the US.

 

Cal won a close yet clear decision, Hops and his fans need to stop crying.

 

:good

 

edit

 

...and facing the other way in a dark room with your eyes closed. :good

 

115-113 for Hopkins.
Calzaghe definately had more in the gas tank.
Hopkins displayed superior boxing skills.
Punches landed for Calzaghe ?????
I saw JC throwing lots and missing plenty or short.
JC one dimensional.
Hopkins move and used anlgles.
Much more effective.
Hopkins should got the win.

 

It was a very close fight, but Joe being the aggressor and his work rate perhaps just pipped it. Could well have gone either way though.

If Joe ends fighting RJJ on PPV or prime time HBO, it will say all we need to know.

 

So you're saying 100 Byrd jabs are worth on flush David Tua hook in professional boxing scoring?

"EFFECTIVE" Aggression is the criteria. EFFECTIVE.

The entire fight was INeffective...

 

Yes, they swing a round - WHEN THE REST OF THE ROUND IS EVEN!

Either learn to score a fight, or if you are actually more intelligent than you are making out, stop trying to spin the facts to suit your opinion.