Even though I am Welsh and want Calzaghe to defeat Hopkins, I don't dislike Hopkins. But having just read the Interview Transcripts for the upcoming fight I'm left with the impression that his ego far outweighs his achievements. There is no doubting his talent in defending his title all those times, and there is no doubting his courage in calling out an undefeated champion when he could easily have retired long ago. But reading his recent comments and listening to previous interviews I think he goes overboard when he's talking about himself in the 3rd person. He keeps coming out with comments saying people are going to have to call him an icon (1 step up from a legend in his book) gonna have to put him on a pedestal with people like SRR, Ali, Michael Jordan. It's not so much his achievements I'm questioning, it's more to do with the fact these names he mentions himself alongside are top level entertainers as well as achievers, while Hopkins has a reputation for being a boring fighter. I can't speak for Americans but if he totally outclasses Calzaghe and knocks him out, in the UK I don't think he will be given the status of Ali or Michael Jordan. When he says people are gonna have to call him this and people are gonna have to call him that, at the end of the day the public will decide his status for themselves not by what Hopkins tells them they should believe. Does Hopkins delude himself? Or am I deluded for questioning his status?
That's B-Hop for ya. He puts himself in the same class as Jordan, Woods, etc. :nut But he also knows what he's talking about.
I've just read that as well. I have to say Bernard is starting to sway me somewhat. Almost to the point where it wouldn't surprise me if he won. He's trying to get in Joe's mind with all this father/son talk, so we get a similar situation to Ray Mancini/Arguello when Mancini's father was ringside. I know there is a big difference but he's trying to get Joe emotional. In someways Calzaghe is made for Hopkins. Joe can box as well as fight but if Joe loses his cool- which has happened in the past- he may not have the mindset to play cat and mouse with Hopkins. If Joe lets his machismo take over and leaves himself open, I think Hopkins could hurt him and rattle him.
:good Thanks. It's ringside at some fight in Britain. There's a short interview of them on Youtube talking about a rematch.
It's easy to fall into this trap...but there's a catch to it...Whilst Hopkins is talking a very good talk and sounding like a very wise man doing it too, he IS talking about himself as if he were a legend...as if he had already done it all...as if nothing could hurt or touch him...as if this were a free fight. Well, it's not. It's dangerous to think like he does, because if you keep things too much in perspective and if you look too far back with too much detachment and with too much of a feeling of pride, you lack that edge you need...and that's the downside...:think
It would be fantastic to see Hopkins standing over a quivering wreck that was formerly Calzaghe but more realistic is a close points decision.
But it seems he has thought that way for a while and it doesn't seem to effect him. He's got a point when he talks about Wright being more of a nightmare to fight and using Calzaghe's offence as an advantage. I don't know, my mind changes every day with this fight. Hopkins may not win the fight but I've got a feeling Calzaghe hits the canvas early by going machismo too early.
Hopkins definitely talks bigger than he fights. He is effective with his style, but can be difficult to watch depending on who he is fighting and which style you prefer.
Like all sports figures...of course he overrates himself. Someone once said that in order to be great, you must have an ego (or something of that matter). But in all honesty...most (especially on this site) far underrate his accomplishments.
Well, the fight will not go just like he hopes he will...and Calzaghe will not fall into childish traps because he won't lose his cool... ...Wait and see...:good
