Bernard Hopkins V Joe Calzaghe II

Ah, take it easy. We're just having fun here man.

 

I'd make Joe the favorite in the rematch, but I think Bernard has the chance to do better with Nazim Richardson playing a major role in his training and the fight plan. I don't think Roach did anything for Hopkins at all and even a veteran like Bernard can benefit from the proper guidance.

 

The legendary Calzaghe adjustment is simply a solitary mode where he throws caution to the wind and starts chipping away with short scoring staccato shots. He's even more vulnerable to counter punches in that mode. It's not like Calzaghe didn't empty his magic chest in the first Hopkins fight. We saw everything he's capable of. I'll tell you right now I don't honestly believe Calzaghe has upteen gears on him. He has two.

 

I'm good, cheers.

 

You're saying it was all about Calzaghe, I'm saying it wasn't. That's what we got. If an ass-scared Roy Jones can throw more meaningful leads than Hopkins at Calzaghe, I smell bull****..

 

No, I'm not saying it was all about Calzaghe. I'm just saying that it's not all about Hopkins. Bernard can decide he wants to fight Calzaghe differently, but Joe has some say on whether that adjustment will be effective.

 

Both guys will land more punches if Hopkins engages more, that's the inherent risk for Hopkins. The idea that Hopkins doesn't get the better of it is what I would find concerning. Let me know if you disagree..

 

I'll say this. If Hopkins engages more, that give him a better chance of hitting Calzaghe and we know that Joe can and has been KD'd early. So it could spell trouble for Joe early. No argument there.

However, I do think Joe can make subtle adjustments in a fight to adapt to different styles. And he is certainly a smart enough guy to anticipate Hopkins coming at him harder in a rematch. And Hopkins' more aggressive strategy wouldn't do him any favors over a 12-round fight. More aggressive = more energy spent. Not good for a 43-year old who's going toe-to-toe with one of the fastest-paced fighters out there.

 

joe UD.

now he knows how to handle hopkins(it took him 4 to figure him out last time)i have no doubt joe would sting the **** out of him for 12 rounds in wales.

 

Good post, although based on the non-stop movement of Hopkins in the Pavlik fight, he's capable of using his energy in a contructive manner at the advanced age of 43 or 44 for 12 high paced rounds, still. I'm guessing that's why he would knowingly take a second fight with Calzaghe. It would appear that wasting energy reacting to feints and squirming along the ropes is more taxing than reacting with punches, so Hopkins would have a working formula. Applying it is the important part, I do agree.

 

He'd surely lose if the tools he used don't bruise Joe or make him snooze.

Then after six rounds, he'd start to frown when he round his energy just went down.

But Joe would keep landing, just throwing and standing, not just winning the fight but really commanding

And at the end of the show, wouldn't you know, our boy Joe is 47-0!

 

Right, Hopkins was really impressive against Pavlik and he proved he can keep his energy up down the stretch. The difference though is he figured Pavlik out early. And Pav couldn't adjust.

Applying pressure against Pavlik is one thing, but against Joe is another. That's the question. If he doesn't bomb Joe out early does he have the gas to go 12 with a guy who never stops?