Will Hopkins be able to catch calzaghe with the counter right? I see it as being his hugest weapon in the later stages of his career....many fell victim to the counter right and many of his fights seemed like they were controlled by this punch ALONE. I know hopkins used to have a huge left hook but its not as evident in the later stages of his career. Hopkins also shas the ability to slip it in very well with southpaws by countering their left hand punches. I believe that if hopkins can earn calzaghe's respect early in the fight, and slow down the tempo he has a large chance at winning this fight, but he has to MAKE it HIS fight. If calzaghe moves and throws often and accurately (its hard to hit hopkins) then he will win a decision. Either way I see it as a very interesting but probably grimey boute between the two.
No, Calzaghe is expecting him to throw that right and I would imagine he has prepared for it. One thing that I doubt anyone can deny is that Joe is a master at adapting to anyone's style. It may take a couple of rounds to adapt, but he always does it and manages to take away a fighters best weapon. He did exactly that with Kessler.
calzaghe will be vunerable to hopkins straight right lead all night, unless he boxes a smart pre planned fight . fights smart and looks out for punches like second half of kessler fight he will read and duck and slip it for the most part. fights like against bika when calzaghe fought **** and sloppy and hopkins will have a field day landing the right at will. a lot of who wins this fight depends on which calzaghe turns up as he has been a jeckll and hyde fighter all his career, whereas hopkins is much more a steady eddie fighter.
I think b-hop will get to land it, also think its going to be an ugly battle. no one is really giving b-hop a chance, but it will be alot closer than people think imo.
I agree with everything. Yeah, if Hopkins can get Calzaghe's respect early with that counter lead right, he could slow the tempo down. There is no doubt that this is his best weapon right now. He will land a bunch of these when Calzaghe comes in. The question is, will it be enough to slow down Calzaghe's incredible work rate. The thing with Calzaghe is that he comes from so many different angles. But i see Hopkins timing Calzghe a lot and catching him coming in.
Hopkins will definately land with his over hand right, I see nothing in Calzaghes previous fights that suggest him wouldnt, go take a look at the Ried, Eubank, brewer, Kessler etcetcetc fightd and you will see that joe is gets caught all the time from straight rights. I dont think however that this will trouble too much, I dont see Hop landed clean combos on Calzaghe, I think Calzaghe will be calculating early on, he want run in clumsily, like Hopkins thinks. Hopkins will have successes with the odd clean blow, but it just wont be enough. Joe Calzaghe is no Antonio Tarver, it will take more than 2 clean shots to win the round. Calzaghe UD.
not alot of ppl have picked up on that but calzaghes adaptability will win him this fight,he'll realize after rnd 6 that he can just out jab and outmanouvre the old man.
I think he was....:nut To answer the original posters question....definately. Joe throughout his career has been open to lead and counter right hands. On top of that, Hopkins has been able to land this one EVERY opponent he has fought, including great defenders like Winky and Roy. If he can do it to them....he can do it to Joe.
Don't be stupid. As if I was comparing Hops to lacy. I am saying that no matter what the threat's supposed to be, whether it's Lacy's hook or Hops' right, Joe will nullify that **** and take away a fighters best weapon easily. If he doesn't, it's probably because the best weapon they have is not good enough (Reid's right, for example), so OK, Joe might get hit with X or Y punch, but if he isn't being knocked on his ass it doesn't really become an issue. Joe's chin is made from melted down cars. For the record, I have a huge amount of respect for Bernard Hopkins. The guy is one of my fave fighters.
Agreed, alot of people also must remember is that Hopkins has some of the best rough house tactics of any active fighter out there right now, if Calzaghe workrate becomes too high for Hopkins, he will slow it down with a good counter right or good headbutt, Hopkins will let Calzaghe know right of the bat he's in the ring with a ring general, not some hype job or a good unproven fighter. Hopkins is going to make this alot closer than what some people think, not even Jones in his prime was able to blowout Hopkins, so it's highly doubtful Calzaghe will be able to do it.
