Why has Hopkins made this unwinnable match? Why does he think he can win?

The real victor of Hopkins vs. Calzaghe will not be he who hits more whilst being hit less but he who turns out to be the more competent ring-general, the superior and more flexible strategic planner and implementor and the mentally stronger, more intelligent and artful operator.

If Hopkins wins the mental battle prior to the fight, managing to force Calzaghe to enter the ring with an inappropriate attitude, if he proves to be the better ring-general on the night, implementing and asserting a winning strategy that catches Calzaghe by surprise and outwits him regularly, if he employs artful tricks of gamesmanship successfully to make Calzaghe lose his nerve and draw him into fighting scrappily, if he shows more will to win in the crucial moments of the fight, certain to be showcased with typical aplomb, Hopkins will be the moral victor in this encounter, irrespective of the number of effective punches thrown by Calzaghe in comparison, or the decision of the judges.

Why has Hopkins taken this fight? Think how important the moral victory would be to him, against a formidable opponent like Calzaghe.

Also, if he loses in a close fight, having fought impressively, he climbs up the p4p rankings, possibly even to around the Top 10 spot.

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44518

 

Hopkins doesn't have too many fights in him. he's fighting for legacy. I would have liked him to fight Jones myself, but if he's gonna go out, why not by fighting the best? I think he's gonna lose, but if he wins, his legacy goes up 3-4 notches in my book.

 

We're not talking about a prime hopkins here. Hopkins is looking at one last payday. He's going to retire, win, lose or draw, and knows this fight is going to put some zero's in his bank account and won't affect his legacy if he loses. IF he wins his stature goes through the roof.

Of Hopkins' last 4 fights he has, however you scored the fights, not been able to convincingly beat Jermain Taylor, beat a smaller, fatter winky wright (at 160 this victory would have meant something) and beat Tarver, which I consider a great victory but that's 1 of the last 4 that gives Hopkins props.

He's at the end of the road, old, past his best, going to fight an unbeaten p4p 2/3. He'll make lots of money, go out with a bang and if he wins it will be an incredible achievement but everyone will forgive him for losing, so what's actually to lose?

Nothing, that's what. He can only win in this fight.

That's why he's taken it.

 

could not of said it better myself:good

 

Ok, cool. But I don't agree. Had Hopkins fought Trinidad circa 95-97 he would have destroyed him just as easily IMO, would have made a name for himself and could have had the BIG fights earlier when he was more in his physical prime. He had the patience though to wait so I admire that. He had to create the buzz otherwise no one would know of him, and didn't become a big name until Trinidad.

Add these to his 1st loss in his 1st pro fight at 175. His fight in France, and in Ecuador where he was KD multiple times. And also there was a fight where he took a fight in something like 6 hours notice lol. Doesn't sound like a guy a guy who was managed beautifully. Add to that there was probably better ways to get his 1st title than face off against a phenom named Roy Jones.

The Winky fight? Hopkins don't even get much credit for that. Nobody even wants to fight Winky, but Hopkins did on his own choice.

 

Yeah, he doesn't really have anything to lose, only to win...not to mention the money.

 

In his mind, yes, I think Hopkins thinks he can win. He obviously enjoys the challenge though and the thought that noone gives him a chance.

 

Well it's understood that Joes high workrate leaves himself open with his head forward.....however Joe has quick feet and can get in and out of the pocket with ease....I'm not confident that Bhop can capitalize on Joes small window of vulnerability:deal

 

I'm not exactly sure. Have to study this man Calzaghe more closely myself. But yer fights against Kessler/Lacy are not real good indicators. Kessler is excellent at what he does but apart from that can't do much else, too many 1-2's. Hopkins is a way more diverse fighter. Calzaghes' offense is brilliant, but his defense not so, and is often vulnerable and open. Maybe take a look at some of his closer fights against Reid, Bika and a few others. He's been down, he's been hurt before. Calzaghe should be the rightful favourite, and if I had to bet my house, I'd put it on Calzaghe. But Hopkins is a very live underdog.

 

Joe is not going to fight his normal fight on 19th April. The fact of the matter is that Calzaghe has absolutely zero respect for both Hopkins' punch output and more importantly, punch power. Joe Calzaghe is 100% intent on stopping Bernard Hopkins, I'm convinced of it. If Hopkins gets stopped then none of them benefit that much apart from financially.

 

While I hope Joe stops Bhop....I cant see him changing whats got him where he is today....For Joe to change **** up could be a catastrophe.....If Joe carries out his usual gameplan maybe being abit more vicious in his attack(Think the Lacy fight) then I think Joe can stop Hopkins:yep

Also Joes money punch should be the uppercut espescially against Hopkins who leads with his head down all the time:deal