Calzaghe vs Hopkins

I dunno mate maybe he could have unified sooner but you know Warren is a snake and all the politics that go on no one really knows.

I think this will be a very scrappy fight though, Hopkins is a great but is too old to take the fight to Calzaghe.

I can honestly see him using every trick in the book to try and win this and I bet he's watched the Bika fight to see hoe Joe can sometimes be dragged into someone elses fight and try and rough him up.

I think Calzaghe will be ready for this though and will win by late stoppage or UD.

 

So Echols is not a 168 fighter but De La Hoya and Trinidad are both middles? Neither did anything near their best work at MW. You can pretend its not a factor, but against a huge MW I'm afraid it is. Still, good wins, better than Kessler/Eubank certainly not

Yes, he got whooped by Jones. At no point did he ever look like winning that fight, which means he got whooped in my book

The fact it was even close against Taylor tells a story. What it should tell you is that Hopkins stands no chance in this fight. He struggled with Taylor's speed and movement. How is he going to fair against an A calibre fighter's movement? Do you think Taylor would be competetive against Calzaghe? Think about that carefully, otherwise I could seriously start doubting your analytical knowledge of matchups

The rest of their resumes are much of a muchness. Good wins over B levels. Brewer/Reid/Mitchell and co vs Johnson/Echolls/Winky (at LHW anyway)

There is more riding on this fight than people think, depending on how competetive it is

 

It's too easy to blame Warren. Joe could have walked away & been his own man like Hopkins but didn't. I will have eternally more respect for Hopkins because he done things his way.

 

Eubank was finished & I still don't see all the fuss with Kessler. Neither of have them have achieved anything like what DLH & Tito have who are shoe in HOF's.

My idea of a whooping is getting a severe beating, losing every round & possibly being KO'd. Jones maintains Hopkins gave him one of his sternest tests despite his lack of experience.

The Taylor fights were uncomfortably close but I do think Hopkins was starting to feel the strain at the weight at this point. His simple transfer to 175 is an illustration of this. A Taylor Calzaghe fight at 168 would probably end in the 10th round with Joe consistently tagging taylor with chopping (slaps?) punches. Taylor neither having the movement or defensive capability to avoid them.

Whats riding on this? I personally hope Hopkins retires after this fight win or lose. As for Joe I expect he'll fancy the Jones fight now years after he's past his best.

 

Like I said, it depends how the fight goes. If Joe destroys him as I anticipate, it proves Joe is a stylistic nightmare for old Bernard. It would give an indication of how a prime matchup would go. Obviously I have to take into account Hopkins age which is why I'm not satisified with a close win, but then Joe isn't a spring chicken either

Joe has said he isn't interested in Jones, but Pavlik. If he takes that fight I will be very disapointed

There is a lot riding on this, because if Joe doe the job I expect, and then beats Pavlik retiring undefeated there is definitely a claim for him being highly ranked as an ATG and not just at SMW. If heaven forbid Hopkins wins...well...that would be huge for him. He'd be a lock for top 30 ATG. Some people have him there already, but not me

 

We did it! A conclusion of sorts. I don't have Hopkins top 30 ATG either so no issue there. I think if you're hoping for an utter whipping you will be dissapointed you should just be happy with the win as I'm sure Joe will be should he do it.

 

I dont expect Joe will bother with Jones. I think it speaks volumes both Hopkins and Calzaghe have dismissed him...they both see him as a joke and nothing to be gained in terms of legacy

 

i favour hops on this one.

i've always thought he's got the style to beat joe.

good on the counter, fast hands, awkward, good spoiler, tough as old boots, decent puncher.

people are saying he throws 10 punches a rd and all that bollocks. but he can go with a pace as he's proved so often in his career.

hops on a decision.

hope i'm wrong.

 

I think to call him a joke is taking a touch far but he's certainly a diminished fighter who I wouldn't be interested in seeing either Joe or Bernard take on now.

 

Calzaghe is an excellent fighter, but look for the US Boxing media to cut him down, not to mention the criminal judges and referee.

 

The referee will be Joe Cortez according to FWTV.

 

Calzaghe seems happy with the choice of referee from what I've read.

 

He's reffed a Hopkins fight before as well without incident.