I liked Calzaghe, until this stupid statement...

I won't say he ducked Ottke, but Ottke had as much claim the title of 168 king pin as Joe did. Actually, Ottke held at least the IBF and WBA, as opposed to joe's WBO belt.

 

Joe had 120+ amateur fights and started boxing at 9 years old. What the **** is the problem here? Calzaghe has had more boxing matches, amateur and pro than Mary Popkins. Not quite as ridiculous as you make out now is it?

 

Sure Calzaghe's "accredited" organized fight time is more. But please check the background. I promise Hopkins been fighting the whole time.
So, its actually ridiculous to suggest an EXPERIENCE advantage in reality. Both guys have deep experience.

Experience wont be the difference. The difference will be which man can impose his style and pace.:good

 

I never stated its a factor. Infact it doesn't mean ****. I was just bemused to see the author blasting Calzaghe for making this statement, and questioning the wisdom of anybody that happens to agree considering he has officially stepped into a boxing ring more times :huh

 

Since when did Hopkins NOT fight in the amateurs? He fought in the amateurs before he even went to prison. Fought the entire time he was in prison, and turned pro after he got out.

Maybe Calzaghe IS more experienced than Hopkins. But you can't tell by watching him fight the way he makes stupid amateurish mistakes sometimes (often against poor competition).

 

Granted, Joe is the best super middle in the world now. But are you serious in saying that a lineup of Eubank, Reid, Woodhall, Veit, Lacy, and Kessler is better than Jones, G. Johnson, Tarver, Wright, Trinidad, and De La Hoya? Take out Jones if you want since that was a loss, and that's still 4 Hall of Famers to 1 (Eubank).

Just as no one can doubt JC as the #1 man at 168 now (possibly Top 3 of All-Time at that weight), no one can really argue against the prevailing belief that his overall P4P resume pales in comparison to Hopkins'.

 

And also, he was an underdog in the Trinidad fight (funny how revisionist history works for some of you) and the Tarver fight (he was coming up FIFTEEN pounds in weight).

I think the question begs, aside from Lacy and Kessler (two fights, who while solid and not yet done, are miles away from Trinidad and Tarver), before this fight, has Calzaghe ever challenged himself by:

1. Fighting on someone else's hometurf? As the underdog? Hopkins fought Trinidad in NYC which is basically Puerto Rico North in Madison Square Garden.
2. Moving up in weight? Much less 15 pounds? To take on the linear champion?

Nope and nope. But it's about time Calzaghe is doing it now. Hopefully if he wins, it won't be tainted if Hopkins shows his age.

 

That's a lie.

 

That´s the good stuff :rofl

 

And your right. Joe never wanted to fight Jones. In fact Jones made an offer to Joe and Mr. Warren said that the offer was for peanuts and Joe dont fight for peanuts. So that is BULL. Hell the guy wouldnt even fight David Telesco.

As far as Hopkins Amatear career, he was 96-5, and he started boxing in his early teens so he has been in the game for 30 years.

In the end NONE of this matters. These European guys do this kind of stuff every time a European fighter is going into a tough fight with an American that can actually beat them. Thier just trying to make themselves feel better. And should Calzaghe win then Hopkins would become the greatest American fighter since Ray Robinson.:good

In the words of Holyfield "Well that dont matter, we still gon hav to fight"

 

No its because he has fought alot of mid-level fighters. Now Joe has been able to pick up his game with the better fighters that he has faced, the problem is he hasnt fought many. Guys like Brewer, Shieka, Manfredo, Will McIntire are not top guys and joes resume is full of fighters on that level.

 

That's complete BS, joe is one of the nicest pro's you could meet. If you were in the crowd for any of his fights you would understand how loved he is by the crowd. He has the kind of support that most US fighters could only dream about. Joe will have 20,000 fans travelling to Vegas to see him and only Ricky Hatton can beat that.

How amny Hopkins fans would travel across the pond to see him fight? How many even went to watch him fight in Philly! Joe popular because he's a very likeable guy and a fantastic boxer, which is hwy he's so well supported.

 

Yeah but pleny of fighters did. DM called him out, Jones offerd him a fight. Tarver wanted to fight Joe, Woods wanted to fight Joe, and even Eastman a few years back. Joe has had alot of chances to make big fights and none of them happened. Lacy and Kessler are his two big fights. THAT IS IT unless your going to count Eubank, or maybe Mitchell:think

 

What about Robin Reid? Who years later would get robbed against Ottke by one of the worst refereeing performance of all time.

His promoter offered to fight Ottke in Germany after the Mitchell fight, which would have included Joe fighting on Ottke's undercard for that fight...and still they never went for it.

Jones never wanted to fight Calzaghe...same for Tarver. DM definately never called out Joe, that's a complete joke!

And lets not forget that Joe agreed to fight Hopkins many years ago only for Hopkins to demand twice the agree purse 24 hours later.

 

Brawling isn't boxing and when you take into account the age they started and the length of the amateur careers Joe creams 'Nard.