...well...here's the thing; if the fight is close, it can go either way; we all know that; of course, it always goes with the political angle. e.g. Paquiao was always going to be given the nod against JMM, if it was close. It just makes sense, for the sport. It's the best move for the boxing establishment. Same with Johnson v. Dawson. If Dawson had fought like Johnson and Johnson like Dawson, Dawson would have gotten at least a draw - it just makes sense! We all know boxing is corrupt to the bones. Never underestimate the political angle in a close big fight. So...what is the political angle here? Well, one might be tempted to go with the straightforward option - hometown robbery, American legend beats overhyped Euro-bum to prop up the whole ridiculous p4p system and American bias in favour of American fighters. Hopkins himself has played on this angle during the pressconference, recently. He talked about his record and said: These guys have fought in Europe only! They are overhypd Euro-bums...etc. He KNOWS that if Calzaghe beats him handily, it will be a big blow to the American boxing establishment. So...he played the self-preservation card. However, it is precisely because the American boxing establishment has a massive credibility gap that it cannot afford to not take a hit this time. It HAS to give an advantage to Calzaghe to prove that it is fair and unbiased against European fighters and that it hasn't been overrating American fighters. Hopkins is 43, so if he loses...well...he was just too old. On the other hand, if they rob Calzaghe...there will be a hell of a commotion...! European fighters will never come to America for huge fights anymore, fearing they'd be robbed. And whilst this might increase the gap between the American and European fighters, and make it easier to talk about overprotected Euro-bums, in the medium and long-term it is counterproductive. Since the American boxing establishment knows this, and since it is rational and careful to act in its own best LONG TERM interest, it will gladly sell Hopkins down the drain to gain some badly needed legitimacy. After all, they were glad to give Taylor the win both times, in close fights, on the back of Hopkins, whom they sacrificed. Then, there is the race angle. Hopkins will be made to pay for those comments he made. Political correctness will play a part here. Not only will Cortez **** him up during the fight, but the judges themselves will punish him. THIS is the reason why Hopkins has tried to sell himself as this American dream - legends tory lately so vigurously. He is tryin to appeal to them to buy into his stock. It won't work though. Politically, Hopkins is ****ed. He will be stabbed in the back by the establishment to save its own skin. So...even if the fight is close, Calzaghe will be the one to get the nod, not the other way around, as one might be tempted to believe.
Joe Calzaghe will be favoured by the judges if it is close. He is the more attractive man and is potentially the bigger cash cow in the future, with fights with a few big name Americans being touted. If Calzaghe won all 12 rounds there is a chance the judges will award Hopkins a few of them out of pity. Oscar will backstab Hopkins, he has barely tried to promote this fight and will not use his dark influence to help Hopkins.
Politics will only come into play in regards to setting up a Calzaghe-Pavlik superfight somewhere in the near future.
Yap...Pavlik fight to be made. Unless they want to feed Hopkins to Dawson...thing is...Hopkins would beat Dawson! They know that, so they'll never risk it. Calzaghe is the golden boy here.
The establishment (network) will give favor to the "white boy". Many of the mediocre commentators like Merchant probably took Hopkin's comment to heart the same as many closet racists on this site. many who KNOW Hopkins will win, will still root (and bet) for Calzange just because of that comment. Do you beleieve that Hopkins understands that and WANTED the skewed odds? hmmmm...he does always bet on himself and there wouldn't be much reward if he were the favorite. Consider that Hopkins has bet on himself his last 4 fights and combined at 2:1, 2:1, 3:1, 2.5:1, that adds up to ALOT of dough! The networks have never liked Hopkins which is why he ALWAYS comes into all fights the underdog. He was an underdog against Trinidad, Winky, and Tarver. People forget, when Hop was under Don King the media hatred for him was unreal. After getting from under King, Hopkins managed himself and the media jumped all over that. I recall Lampley saying, How can a fighter both fight AND manage himself? I think this is impossible and will come back and bit Hopkins in the butt. Hopkins showed them all wrong, but they haven't really changed their attitute towards Hopkins to present.
Pavlik-Calzaghe has so many angles going for it. Two unified champions fighting, ring magazine belts, undefeated records, Europe vs America and boxer vs puncher. Its an easy promotion.
