Hopkins disgraces Philadelphia middleweights

He didn't disgrace anybody.
He almost won that fight at 43 years old.
Maybe once you're 43 you will realize what a task that is.

 

He's 43 years of age. I don't give a damn how much better the training, nutrition, etc., are these days but to be rated as one of the best fighters in the world at that age is near miraculous. It may be a long time before we see another Hopkins. Like I've said, I don't like his style and his tactics may be at times quite shocking but the man disgraces no-one.

 

No fighter in the history of boxing was competitive against a consensus elite at the age of 43. Not only that I thought he was the superior boxer and many had him winning the fight.

 

your an *******

 

Is The Woo really smarter than you??

 

Not many judging from ESB's many polls on the subject.

 

When I think of Philly fighters, I think of Joe Frazier..

I think of Meldrick Taylors fight against Chavez..



Hopkins doesn't pop up at all....

 

I had Hopkins winning. And he did well for a 43 year old.

BUT I agree his tactics were *****-ass **** that you cant excuse.

Let's not even compare today's fighters with those of the past. It's not a fair comparison. Boxing was the real thing back then.

 

How many of these post are going to pop up? Get over it. Hopkins is a legend whether you like it or not:deal

 

I think it should be possible to give Hopkins credit AND criticize him at the same time. His physical shape and overall performance was very impressive for his age. His behaviour, fighting as dirty as it gets, complaining when Calzaghe touched him on the ear and faking pain from weak blows to his protective gear was embarrassing. It takes a huge amount of power to hit on this protective gear before you feel anything. Lokk at the first low blow in slow motion, it doesn't even make a dent on Hopkins' trunks. Hopkins claimed after the fight that Calzaghe doesn't hit hard. Why did he whine about a glancing low blow? Sore loser, cheater, bad sportsmanship, and an amazing athlete - I can see all of that in him at the same time. A great fighter should be able to accept when a fight is turning in the direction of the opponent, do his best with fair means to come back and take a loss like a man. As Kessler did in his fight with Calzaghe. Hopkins is an amazing athlete and fighter and a horrible sportsman.

Question: How would the fight have gone if Hopkins had fought with fair means? I think Calzaghe would have dominated afte ound four, easily. How would Hopkin's career have been without illegal tricks? Calzaghe won every fight of his career as a fair fighter. Hopkins would have lost several more fights without fouls.

 

Hmmm...from what I've read there's been quite a few who had it for Hopkins. Even some of the British tabloids had it for Hopkins. Regardless, it was a very close fight, I don't think Hopkins has anything to be ashamed about.

 

I disagree. Hopkins faked low blows & held more than John Ruiz at a slow dance. He trapped Calzagne's arm practically every time he held while he threw shots at the back of Joe's head. He wasn't even slightly gracious in defeat either, claiming he schooled Calzagne. Neither fighter was schooled but he was easily outworked by Joe.

 

Excellent post. I wanted to give Hopkins credit too after he performed better than most thought he would even getting the early knockdown. I just can't respect a fighter who blatantly cheats and then gives zero credit to the opposing fighter. Bad sportmanship doesn't help the sport at all. He could've said something to the effect of "I thought I did enough to win but props to Joe, he's a good fighter, the best white boy I ever fought" or something to that effect. It would've helped after he claimed he'd never lose to a white boy....................

 

i'm from philly area and altho he didn't need to necessarily "go out on his shield", being how cautious hops is, i'm sure he could've taken a few more chances to try and change the momentum of the fight in the latter half. it shows he just really wanted to be "competitive" and "hope" he got the nod on the scorecard (even tho he had to think that unlikely based on past experience). he wasn't willing to do everything to win.

btw, archie moore was old as hell (most believe older than his stated age) and battled top fighters.