Now Taylor has been beaten...will Americans accept Hopkins is nothing special now?

Thank you :yep

A little off topic but I think the biggest problem for Kessler against Calzaghe is that Kessler fights well off the back foot, but he's only really a monstrous puncher when he's either given or can create some room to plant his feet and/or move forward with his punches.

Kesslers power would be a much bigger factor against somebody with a counterpunching style or an outboxer. Calzaghe is a fantastic swarming, pressure fighter though, Kessler I think will have great difficulty getting any sort of decision, he's got to get a stoppage, and he's got few opportunities to play for a stoppage, short of Joe stepping back hands down and Kessler finding a counter right hand lead. Kessler will likely be fighting backwards... done it against all the quality pressure fighters i've seen him face. Andrade's not a good contradicting example, since Kessler won't be able to plant himself as easily due to Joes much better footwork... uphill battle all the way imo.

 

He'll have no time or room to plant his feet. Calzaghe has a habit of making decent fighters look bad.

 

If Calzaghe gets knocked out like Taylor should he retire?

 

Of course not. Calzaghe will move up to LH whatever happens, win, lose or draw.

 

You honestly think he could bang with guys like Tarver and Hopkins, if he loses to Kessler I cant see him doing any better at LH.

 

There's certainly hope If Calzaghe starts showing his age. a few months ago I said, "Joe is ready for the taking" but I hate making any assessment on that sort of unknown variable, that's why I didn't bet on Taylor showing improvement (though he showed some and almost came out on top as a result), when he hadn't shown it in previous fights.

 

I don't think he'll have any problem with them two at all. Do you think they are bigger punchers than Kessler? As for getting knocked out, it can happen to any boxer. All it takes is one lapse and it's goodnight. It doesn't mean you gotta start flipping burgers.

 

Personally I can't see this happening to Calzaghe. He keeps himself in great shape between fights and has never really been in any wars. Can't see him ageing during or before the fight.

 

I think Tarvers power is close to Kesslers, I just dont see Calzaghe doing well at LH I think he would fare better at middle where he can fight guys lighter who dont pack as much punch. You know if Kessler does lay Calzaghe out people will just say Joe never really fought anybody and now that he has look what happend, I think thats the prblem with alot of the Euros they our too protected then when they do have to fight it seems like they get blown out. Im not trying to beignorant or anything, that just seems what happends to alot of them.

 

While I do feel Pavlik would be pretty easy for Calzaghe, I cant say the same about Hopkins. Anybody Hopkins fought in the last 5 years win or lose he always is a tough customer, hes veteran that does know how to win fights against good fighters. I see that being a close fight for sure, I cant see that one being easy at all.

 

Doesn't need to be a huge amount, I think his speed has already started to diminish very slightly, just a little extra edge off his speed and reflexes while Kessler comes in a little improved, a little sharper and it could be enough. Especially if Joe injures his hands in the fight, or comes in a little off his game.