BHops gamble

The analogy I've been through before and if you want to know why, see the other threads because it's been debated to death. Technically, if they box at range, Hopkins cannot compete. This will be the story of the first half of the fight. Then, Joe will realise there is nothiong to fear coming back. Calzaghe's superior fitness will be too much, Hopkins will wilt and that will be it.

 

Hopkins doesn't have the ability to punish this to an extent where Calzaghe pays. There is opportunity, yes. But (this version of) Hopkins isn't the one to take advantage of such a scenario.

 

If Reid had not overcooked himself before the fight, coming into the ring screaming and wound up, he would have won one or two rounds at the start and there would have been controversy if it hadn't been at least a draw.

Unfortunately for Reid, he was (and this is a fault throughout his career) too emotional on his big night.

 

Absolutely yes. Unless he's got old overnight (which should be easy to detect) then you can that he was over-rated AND his career (though still a very good one) isn't all as it seems. I think 9 years is pushing it, there are decent boxers in there, he just never faced a so-called superstar.

 

I think that when all's said and done, you'll be able to pinpoint 4-5 fights where Calzaghe has had a tougher night. Just my opinion. Some label me a Calzaghe nuthugger and with my username and avatar, I can see why. But I have reason to be subjective when it comes to him as a person. The main advantage I have is that I have seen all of his relelvent fights at the time that they happened; sometimes there is no way that looked back at a DVD 6-7 years ago can tell the whole story.

 

You're very wrong about the crowd. Joe has fought in England against English boxers and that, let me tell you, is worse than anything he's going to experience in Vegas where half the crowd will in fact be very Welsh and very vocal. He also fought in Germany against a local favourite with very little support.

Joe usually looks crap against boxers of the style of Hopkins. It reamins to be seen how the styles will play out. But Calzaghe has also never taken any counterpuncher he's faced with the respect he will have for Hopkins.

 

I've seen enough of Calzaghe to think he's something a bit special. Sure he's no prime RJJ (not many people are) and what we have to bear in mind is the age of Hopkins and what he can't do any longer. This is why I predict a stoppage. It would be no real disgrace to Hopkins because I firmly believe Calzaghe really is that good.

 

No. At the end of the day a win's a win. He's achieved far more than I thought he would throughout his career and to still be at the top is remarkable. If it's a competitive fight, Calzaghe will get more credit in the States and that's what he's always craved. If he beats up Hopkins then nobody will buy it because it would obvioulsy mean Hopkins was too far past his prime.

If it pans out the way you predict, it would be the best result for Calzaghe and I will be pleased to be wrong about Hopkins' abilities at the age of 43. Plus it will mean that I would have got some value out of a $450 ticket.