A Brit here....but a realist. Joe Calzaghe is an excellent elite fighter, but hes not a legendary fighter. His best wins against Kessler and Lacy were against fighters that I believe a prime Hopkins /Jones would have beaten way more decisively than he did. He has never beaten a P4P fighter EVER. Note: Kessler was the best available challenger of what is a very shallow supermiddle division, he isnt a Nigel Benn/James Toney etc. hes a straight ahead European boxer, even Calzaghe stated this before his fight. Lacy was a young unproven contender who Omar Sheika (very average fighter) gave all he could handle. Calzaghe though has exceptional will power heart and stamina, and I have no doubt would have provided a good, though losing challenge to the likes of Jones, Hopkins. With the upcoming fight against Hopkins, people are amazingly underestimating Bernard. Remember Calzaghe can be hurt (Watch round 12 against a shot Eubanks, Robin Reid, Byron Mithcell -body shot). Bernard is very rough and hits well to the body. Everyone makes the point Calzaghe throws so many punches. People forget everyones punch output/rythym decreases against Hopkins. Calzaghe feeds off the patriotic crowd ala Hatton etc. He will have no such crowd in Vegas. Prediction: I expect Calzaghe to squeek a decision, but would not be suprised if Hopkins wins even at this stage.
Eubank wasn't shot and Calzaghe was a novice when he beat him. People do go a bit overboard on Calzaghe on this board though.
Eubank not shot,,,,,,Eubank came in as a subditute 2 weeks notice,,,,,he was supposed to fight @ 190lbs. Steve Collins pulled out, Eubank was as shot as u can be+ he was weight drained!!
Well I've seen the fight a few times and he looked a damn sight better than he did against Collins. He looked reinvigorated and the weight loss didn't seem to affect his performance. However this wasn't a prime Eubank. That version would've been too much for Calzaghe who hadn't fought above national level at this point.
I think I'd favour him over the brits of Watson, Eubank and Benn, also James Toney, but Jones and Hopkins would've been too much imo. Calzaghe-Benn would've been one for the ages though!
Calzaghe is absolutely an elite fighter and as such i'm not prepared to write of his chances versus anyone, including Jones, although I would make Roy a serious favourite. My problem is with his resume, not his skillset/physical attributes.
Who on earth need to fencesit on a fight with as obvious of an outcome as Calzaghe - Hopkins? Calzaghe won't lose a 10 second spell of the fight on the way to an easy TKO.
