Man shut the **** up. He barely won. He could of easily lost that ****. As everyone with ****ing eyes outside the UK says. Nobody gives credit for ***** smacks as punches. :nut
You need to learn to judge a fight. One way is to actually LISTEN to someone who knows how to judge a fight and can explain his rationale for his judgments. Harold Lederman has a very annoying voice but also possesses a brilliant ability to analyze and judge fights. LISTEN to him when he explains his judging during the HBO broadcasts. He is usually spot on. Larry Merchant is surprisingly good to and often gives his reasons for his scorecard. These guys didn't get hired by the premier boxing station in the world because they lack knowledge, objectivity or ringside experience. Look past their personalities and just LISTEN. It's amazing what one can learn.
Lederman...................................................................Lederman's score card...................................................................................................
Calzaghe - Kessler was a far better fight; 2 brilliant boxers, at the top of their game, respecting one another and fighting cleanly - boxing at its best! Calzaghe - Hopkins was a disgrace; BHop succeeded in bringing Calzaghe down to his level, retaliating to low blows - they were both losers in this fight. But BHop was the BIGGER loser. He lost the fight (and all respect) when he pulled that stunt in the 10th.
this was no great performance he was made to look crap the first half of the fight and despite his definite speed advantage he got beat to the punch he made a mini comeback in the mid rounds but hop took 10 and 11 for me which sealed the victory. Calzaghes flurries may fool the crowd but when you look in instant replay he lands none they get shoulders arms and back not effective at all
He ran away for 12 rounds and throw a lead right and went in with his head and held ... That aint ring intelligence. He had no plan B and didn't even dominate that much in terms of strength. Calzaghe figured him out and cruised to a victory.
I think some people are missing my point. I am not saying it was a good fight, although it was captivating. My point is to grind out a win like that against Hopkins took a hell of a lot, and was much more difficult than winning easily against Lacy which was just bread and butter for Joe. We all know how he struggles when he has to go hunting the other fighter down...so considering that the other fighter was B-Hop, it is very impressive. Anyone who HONESTLY believes that Hopkins won...try to watch the fight again (if you can bear it) objectively. If you still think that Hopkins won, you are a bitter Calzaghe hater or you have **** in your eyes.
Man...., good for Joe that he won. But **** man that was one ugly preformance....I thought the fight sucked ass and I don't like either fighter too much so I was indifferent towards the outcome. My opinion on either fighter has not changed. Joe is a good fighter nothing more nothing less....he has fought in a great era to be the best in his weight class but Kessler, Lacey and 43yr Hopkins does not equate ATG's status at least not in my opinion. But again Congrats to Joe....it was ugly but he got the job done.
Calzaghe got the win, big win in that he went to the US and kept the 0, but not a great performance. He got knocked down nicely and didn't look to have the power to hurt Hopkins. Fight could have gone either way.
Neither guy put on what can fairly be called a "great" performance. the fight was very ugly and very close. credit to calzaghe for his resolve, but he was made to look very awkward many times and he was never able to even 'stun' or begin to hurt hopkins except for the low blow. hopkins focused too much on defense at the expense of offense.
Don't sweat it mate. A lot of the posters on here couldn't judge a fight impartially to save their soul. You're right about Joe showing his greatness by being able to come back from a terrible start and outscore and dominate a crafty veteran like Bernard. Most fighters, even good ones go into a defensive shell when they are knocked down and their game plan is not working. Joe adjusted and took over the fight by the end of the fourth round despite Hopkins dirty tactics. He is an awesome, long-term multiple champion and like all ring greats has a great deal of haters. People forget how Ali was hated in his prime for his novel, unorthodox boxing style but now is considered one of the greatest ever. Joe will be too.