Prime Hopkins vs Prime Calzaghe

Calzaghe would win. Tonight's Calzaghe was a shadow of his former self, while Hopkins has improved in many respects.

If a faded Joe can beat Hopkins, a prime Calzaghe could stop him.

 

People seem to be confusing when someone seals their signature wins with when someone is in their "prime".

 

Hopkins. Clearly.

Tonight had no bearing on that. Bernard's ability to counter in his prime would be too much. He still mentally got the better of Joe tonight, but physically he isn't there anymore.

What got me in all the pre-fight buildup is that everyone wanted to slag off the Taylor fights, when that was *exactly* the reason Bernard wouldn't win. He can't put his hands and feet where his brain tells them to go. It was obvious in 2005, and it's even more apparent in 2008.

 

I think tonight we had neither man in their physical primes so I think its ridiculous to assume a prime bhop owns calzaghe. However, I agree that hopkins would've won.

 

Prime Hopkins would not have the experience to last 12 rounds with Calzaghe.

 

I see that the Hopkins fans will take great comfort in their fantasy matches.

 

Calzaghe. I believe the fight would have panned out in similar fashion to how it did tonight.

 

Bingo.

 

You think? I strongly disagree.

Hopkins is very stiff and slow compared to what he was. The 99-01 version would have handled any version of Calzaghe. He's too tricky for him, because Joe always has made a ton of footwork mistakes.

It takes a great fighter to capitalize on them, but the ATGs -- Hopkins, Toney and certainly Jones among them -- would have beaten Joe, I think.

 

Calzaghe would win.

If Hopkins felt that good about his own chances at a younger age, he'd have taken the easy $3 million payday that came with homefield advantage in 2002.

 

I think some people would be more suited to Fight Night on the Playstation than real boxing.

 

This poll is still a little too close for my liking.

 

That would be a bit too real for them I think.

Maybe Moralman's "Fantasy Warfare" is more their cup of tea.

 

Irrelevant.

 

He is stiffer, but I don't think he's lost much speed. He was never a speed demon to begin with.

What Hopkins has gained has been power and strength, exactly what gave him his success in this fight. Take them away from him, put him in with a better Calzaghe, and I can't see how Bernard could win.