Virgil Hunter responds to Steve Bunce (regarding Andre Ward vs Joe Calzaghe)

I'm ready for the abuse but I don't think Hopkins beats Froch.

All Froch woulkd need to do is keep the high pace and he would win.

Most of Hopkins game now is about the clinch.

One thing that Froch does do exceptionly well (Everyone always says he is not great at any one thing) is give him self room to work.

I think Froch would be able to avoid the clinch and make B-Hop work and I think he could well stop him when he starts to land.

Of course we know he would never get the highlight reel KO as B-Hop would throw himself through the ropes or feign injury long before this was a possibility.

 

Now?

If so, I agree.

Few years ago (couple years pre Calzaghe), dont think so

 

Negative, Kessler managed to fight at a range alien to him and beat Froch handily. Froch could not sustain mid-range when Kessler took a step inside before throwing.

 

Yeah a few years ago you may (and most probably are) right.

But again your post raises the question that no-one ever seems to give a straight answer to, 'When was B-Hops Prime?'

The reason is Like young and old Foreman, Young and old B-Hop have different attributes that are better and worser aginst certain fighters.

A yongish B-hop would have been an easier fight for Joe IMO.

Though probably a harder fight for Froch.

 

Yeah it's a **** era any standout fighter will suffer the same fate.

 

A couple parts I don't agree with are;

IMO Whilst Kessler did win it was close and not handily.

Froch was ill-prepared IMO and did not show the ability to go up in gears at the end of the fight that he normally does.

I think froch would win a re-match handily.

Also B-hop is not kessler (Which I know you know) but a triangle theory won't work on this as Froch would approach differently to Kessler.

 

ward is a G
but
Joe is a OG

 

Ward's a devout Christian yet this guys using words like ''Idol''. Christians are to idolize no man Virgil.

Anyways back to the point on hand, Calling out a guy who's done coke and lived the good life and been out of the ring and top level action for a few years is poor form.

The comment about staying in England, Well come out the flipping U.S then!. If your so willing to make this fight happen how about Cardiff, Virgil?. Maybe have a different ref as well. Your getting a bit like Ricky Hatton with Vann. Smoger seems to of become there number 1 guy.

As for the fight, Joe's not just a guy that bounces in and out. He punched from angles, he could mix it up. He could fire short shots and lead off well. He could adapt. So can Ward but Calzaghe is awkward as well and that's what made him so tough to fight.

TBH i've seen AA and Dawson take rounds from Ward (early on), I'd fancy Calzaghe to do more then take a few TBH. It would be close because both have there flaws and both are good enough to expose them.

I still maintain Calzaghe would win (Prime vs Prime), close fight but Virgil likes to talk, likes his monotone voice. Probably a scumbag screw, He should remember to take the towel with him at beginning of rounds. That's probably made him cry into his pillow last few days. Mr Perfection.

 

Alos for all the comments about what Bika did to calzaghe did y'all miss the Ward Bika fight?

 

His hardest fight in recent years.
Would be an interesting fight and I'd be intrigued to see what gameplan Ward and Hunter would come up with and if they had a plan b when JC ineviatably adjusts to the first one.
Also I don't like the lazy comparisons between Ward and BHop. Ward strikes me more of a front runner than Bernard who early on looked to capitalise on Calzaghes mistakes.
JC's more instinctive style would probably win out over Wards more deliberate one, I think he would spoil Wards boxing more effectively than vice versa.
A lot would depend on where the fight was held of course.

Who'd do we reckon would win out of the Hopkins of the JC and Pavlik fights and Ward? I'd have to favour Hopkins myself. He seems the more skilled of the two.

 

Kessler is a basic European stand up fighter who managed to make adjustments against Carl.

Hopkins could as well I reckon.

 

Great post all round.

 

I agree with Hunter.

 

I can't stand Hunter, what a *****.

 

Would've been a great fight. The key thing is that Ward isn't knocking Calzaghe out so where the fight takes place would be massively important - they would never have sorted this out being 2 serious home birds! Dont know where Hunter gets off on slagging Calzaghe on that score as Ward was gonna pull out of the Super Six if all of his fights bar the final weren't in California. If it was in Oakland then Ward would not only be confident of getting away with any billy goating if it became necessary (as he was willing to do in the early parts of the Dawson fight), but more importantly he would be free to prepare as he pleased under Conte. This is vital for his stamina in the fight. Anywhere outside California and then Ward would be gassing come the 8 - 9th round.