Hopkins is overrated.

Calzaghe will stop Hopkins in a similar fashion to how he stopped Manfredo. Relentless barrage, ref jumps in.

 

Dorfmeister, do you think Hopkins is currently one of the best fighters in the world? What is your p4p list down to Hopkins, please?

 

I don't believe in pound for pound ratings and therefore could not make or list down one. I also don't make anything out of the Ring Mag p4p list, don't agree, don't disagree with... I do believe that Hopkins is a very good fighter at 175 pounds because he has the combination of physical attributes, ring experience, toughness and technique to compete with Joe Calzaghe... Many people here are probably underrating Hopkins' chances looking at two things: 1) Calzaghe is undefeated and Bernard has been beaten just recently ( and before), 2) Hopkins' age. The first point may be misleading because there are not enough common aspects to compare one fighter to the other - Bernard may find it easy to maneuvre someone like Calzaghe since he has done it with experienced fighters Tarver and Wright and Calzaghe's activity levels may just be too demanding for Hopkins. The thing about Hopkins's age is more objective but you have a 43 year old and a 36 year old - that is exactly what you had with Hopkins and Wright and Winky didn't look to be younger... Both of them can fight a reasonably fast-paced fight, do not fool yourself that they can't do it - they are highly well-prepared professional athletes, not normal 43, 36 year olders. I do believe that the main thing in Calzaghe's favour is his natural ability and fluid punch skills - Hopkins always was a disciplined and above-average intelligent fighter but he doesn't have the skills that Joe has.

 

I'm with you on all points.

 

Here's my answer to that question...in case you're interested.

Currently, I have Calzaghe at the third/fourth best fighter in the world. He said he was better suited to 175 than to 168 so he should perform at least as good; however, he has aged a bit...half a year older...not that much. I have Hopkins as the 24th/25th best fighter in the world, which is amazing for a 43 year-old. Hopkins will be fighting at his preferred weight too.

If Hopkins beats Calzaghe in a fair (even ugly) fight by close UD, Calzaghe comes down to no. 11 p4p and Hopkins goes up to 10th or threabouts, depending on the performance of each on the night...It also means I overrated Calzaghe and underrated Hopkins - the latter especially, and that Calzaghe had gotten worse. If Calzaghe beats Hopkins by very wide decision without dominating him completely, he falls down to 5th or 6th and Hopkins comes up just within the top 20 again. If Calzaghe dominates Hopkins completely and stops him and outwits him and beats him at his own game, Hopkins falls to just inside the top 30 and Calzaghe climbs one place to two/three, depending on what Pac, JMM and Mayweather do. :good:good :good

 

I may have misinterpreted - then Hopkins is nearly shot and nothing more than a name according to the Wright fight ( can only be based on that - we have no further inside info on Hops), breathing hard and through his mouth like Harold Lederman pointed out during the fight... I won't debate that.

I do apologise for having suggested that you don't believe in what you're saying. But that is no big sin since you can read through Bernard's unnerveness how he really feels inside. I expect to be around here when and if Calzaghe pulls it off close and you come to show signs of disappointment.

 

I had a dream last night that Calzaghe was KO'd by a bald black man but this guy seemed better looking than Hopkins and he had a mustache. Calzaghe kept fighting other opponents though.

Its probably nothing but my dreams often have some elements of truth

 

I would love to see Hopkins get KO'd. While he is - or was - a great fighter - he is also a jerk. I have enjoyed watching him in the ring over the years, but I haven't necessarily enjoyed hearing him talk.

While Calzaghe has some defensive liabilities that Hopkins may exploit, Calzaghe does what many fighters are simply afraid to do - let their hands go. I think Calzaghe outworks Hopkins to an easy decision.

 

Just my 5 cents; Hopkins wont get stopped, but Calzaghe will win a very easy UD but Hopkins will get some rounds because of home advantage and his counter right.

But Calzaghe will dance circles around Hopkins all night, while the old man will try to bomb with the right hand.

Expect Hopkins to try to get inside to land body shots. And expect Calzaghe to outjab Hopkins big time.

 

I'm having a hard time rating Hopkins - and how good he was.. He didn't really beat someone where you can say that it was a career defining win.. Like Jones has against Toney and Hopkins etc.. He has beat some great NAMES, Trinidad and De La Hoya, but just how good they were at the point and at the weight is hard to say.. Calzaghe has one career defining win that really proves how great he is - Mikkel Kessler.. It would be so much better if this fight had happened 5 years ago..

Anyway, prediction: Calzaghe extremely WIDE UD or late TKO... Or perhaps: Hopkins gets frustrated from taking a beating and gets DQ'ed.

 

If Hopkins gets hurt, Calzaghe will know how to finish him off

 

Again, I've been watching their last two fights for the 10th time and what can you say?... Manny Steward says Calzaghe at that level will give trouble to anyone and there were rounds he threw 100 and landed 20 plus - won 117-111 and 116-112 twice. Bernard said he was putting the bait on the hook and pulling the hook so that he could catch him on the way in - won 117-111 twice, 116-112. There's still not much between them. Calzaghe comes forward on light feet and tries to double jab, left counter to the body but Hops is not there like Kessler was with a left jab, no body movement ( just rotational to bang way) and stationary head, and Bernard may not be able to land clean on the inside. The common perception is that Calzaghe's activity, aggressiveness and output will make it for him, but Hopkins relies on opponents that come forward to land anything significant himself... So we get back to where we started, they will have to adjust and control the fight from that point on, that's how it's always been and that's how this is going to be.

 

I agree with this ENTIRE post. I will be betting the house on JC come fight night, and I won't even hesitate to do it. I will also put a small wager on the under rounds, cause I think that a tko stoppage, corner stoppage, or quitting on the stool is highly possible. BHop stands no chance in this fight

 

i can honestly say i dnt like hopkins but all the **** he is receiving lately is getting annoying. i know he talks aload of bollex but his resume is really something!! he has earned respect. I do like calzaghe and can openly admit he has not really beatin anyone of a high caliber other than kessler, i would not call either fighter over - rated!