There is no way Calzaghe beats a Prime Hopkins!

Maybe a prime Hopkins wouldn't have run like a ***** all fight, then Joe would've bitched him a whole lot easier

 

Its probably been said already, but this wasn't a prime Calzaghe you we're watching either. I'd even go as far as to say Calzaghe was past his prime when he fought Lacy, believe me or not, its up to you.

Calzaghe is a fantastic fighter, that threw away his prime time, he could of gone down as a ****ing legend. Still a legend anyway in my eyes, but he could of been so much better. It actually pisses me off knowing what this guy could of been.

 

If a 43 year old made Calzaghe look bad at 43 I think he beats him earlier on. Honeyghan got it right before the bout saying Calzaghe would win a close decision but roll back 5-10 years Calzaghe wouldnt have had a chance.

 

:cheers

 

Good post, I also belive Joe at 168 woud beat prime Hopkins but close, and I'd give the odds to Hopkins at 175

 

If you compare a 36 year old Calzaghe to a prime Hopkins in a 160 pound matchup, I agree

A 2001, motivated Calzaghe fighting smart beats any version of Hopkins

But people are acting like 2008, broken down hands Calzaghe is the same as a prime Calzaghe, which is BS. He is slower and doesn't punch the way he used to, but his ring smarts and natural ability still allow him to compete at an elite level

Calzaghe and his style depend much, much more on natural, physical ability than Hopkins

 

Prime for Prime Hopkins defeats Joe Via UD 116-112

 

:deal

 

Calzaghe would have beaten Hopkins at any time in boxing history.

 

I strongly disagree with this. Let's look at what actually happened when a 43 year old Hopkins was able to open up. He got the better of Calzaghe, plain and simple. So your telling me that if he opened up more while also having the benefit of youth things would have been worse for him?

He adapted the style he has now not because he someone found it to be more effective, instead he had no choice. He's simply making the best out of what he has. If someone lost an arm they could probably become very proficient but they'll never have the ability they had with both arms.

Also, people need to realize that physical decline in THE determining factor for performance decline. If experience and wisdom were such great substitutes then it wouldn't be uncommon to see old men with 40+ years of boxing experience beating up on 20 year olds. If you can't put what your mind is telling you into action then all that information does you no good as a fighter.

 

43 y/o Hopkins would cleary defeatt 39 y/o Jones, however prime-to-prime Jones beat him clean

Same thing applies here. B-Hop relies mostly on technique and guile, JC is declining and has always depended on speed and reflexes although he has better technique and adaptability than RJJ

 

How do you know?

****i'n senseless thread.