Did Bernard pull a...

Of course! I've never seen him confused before and at that point he knew he has to buy time somehow. But his performance was still an B+ and an A+++ for someone 40+.

 

The fake low balls only mean one thing: Hopkins was completely gased. And this is a guy who reserves energy for the later rounds. Despite his low output, he was still gased. That tells me EVERYTHING about the fact that he aged in this fight.

Hopkins does everything he can to win. He had to get a breather to give himself a better chance, even if that meant faking low blows. That's how he got here.

 

A ***** move? Okay, what would you guys do if you're a 43 year old who has been around the block a longgg time fighting someone so energetic like that?

Veteran move indeed. :yep

 

its was a smart move

 

That was totally a ***** move...if this were soccer he would have gotten a red card for acting...

 

Disgraceful, im all for tactics in a fight and possibly bending the rules slight;y on the refs blind side etc, but that was pure and simple the actions of a frustrated gassed man who has spat his dummy out cos he feels hes about to lose, imo that bought him the time to comtinue the fight at the current pace, without that 4mins (was it 4?) he may of struggled .

 

Sure, you can call Bernard's behaviour after that low blow as crafty and strategic. But, for those defending him, would you be so quick to defend Joe if he pulled a similar trick? I highly doubt it.

It's a sketchy move at best.

 

I voted no

Hopkins is extremely cagey and knows all of the tricks. Calzaghe was starting to adjust a little, becoming more relaxed and starting to really put a lot of pressure on Bernard and putting quick punches together. Hopkins, at least to me, looked a little uncomfortable with how things were going, and a little tired. After he got his time to recover, he looked like he got his second wind and the rest of the round was up for grabs.

Do I blame him for doing that? No. If he headbutted Calzaghe, opening up a huge cut, causing the fight to be stopped, would I? Yeah, but he didn't do anything illegal so I'm not going to sit here and whine about it.

 

He wasn't hurt, but like I mentioned, Calzaghe was putting a lot of pressure on him and making him fight. Hopkins is 43 years old, that's the last thing he wants.