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

Oh and I also think Hopkins genuinely cares about his legacy. The way he talks about the old fighters and regularly paying homage to the past greats, you can tell it's important to him. This is not even a PPV fight. He could have made just as much money against an American counterpart. IMO he's too proud to be in a fight he thinks he will lose and possibly humiliated just for the MONEY$$$. Although money is great you have to admit.:yep

 

You're not going to find anything in the Bika fight. That was a poor performance for the first 4-5 rounds because Joe wanted him out of there ASAP. When he found Bika was more durable, he settled into his usual rhythem and boxed his way easily to victory but the fact is, Joe didn't want to be fighting the likes of Bika at that stage. Coming off the Lacy win, he was pissed off that he wasn't fighting a big name.

Joe's defence is good. This sounds like a cliche but his first form of defence is his offence. It's difficult to study and work him out inside the ring because you're covering up and being hit many times from different angles. Kessler, Mitchell, Brewer, Lacy, Manfredo and others all used one word..... "confused".... The first part of the battle is to know you're going to be hit a bit more often. It's not going to hurt that much but you have to know where you are and where Calzaghe is at every moment. Hopkins can't stand there and trade with Joe at this age so he has to use outstanding head movement and a straight, well timed right hand every single time Joe opens up because that's when he's at his most vulnerable (see the Mitchell, Salem knock downs).

Boxers with high punch outputs by definition leave themselves exposed more than boxers with low outputs. The opportunities will be there for Hopkins as they were for everyone Calzaghe has ever faced.

The Brewer, Reid and Sheika fights will be good to watch for some hope for Hopkins fans. But at the end of the day, you can study Calzaghe all you want, it's in the ring Hopkins has got to keep a cool, calculating head.

 

1 - Why would Hopkins take this seemingly unwinnable fight when he's generally a smart matchmaker?

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2 - If he thinks he can win, why do you think he thinks that? What do you think he sees?

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Joe has to win the first 4 rounds to open up Hopkins. Just jab, jab, jab for the first 4 rounds. That will give him the lead to open up Hopkins and i can see a late tko KO.

I agree he wants to KO hopkins, beat him impressively

 

Winky was a junior middleweight inflated with birdseed and coffee. PS: He headbutted him too, then smiled.

A "genius boxer", as some claim, shouldn't need to use such tactics.

 

I beg to differ. Hops and Calzaghe are wanting a slice of the Hatton-Mayweather pie.

 

I Think B-hop Has A Really Good Chance. This Fight Winnable For Hopkins.

 

It's all good that they were confused but Kessler, Mitchell, Brewer, Lacy, Manfredo on not on the level of Hopkins period. Most of those guys are seriously lacking defense anyhow. Oh and don't digress, Hopkins can be cool and he can be calculating. :bbb

 

Good post. I'd like to add: it almsot doesn't matter that he leaves himself open at times because his chin is iron.

 

See my other post above.

Also, yes, definitely more money for a fight against an American counterpart.

 

... if he cheats. Possibly. Bernard's problem is that Joe actually enjoys it when it gets rough.

 

No, they don't lack defence (though some do), they lacked the speed to get out of the way. They all knew what to do but weren't able to execute it on the night. I'm really hoping Hopkins makes this an interesting fight and poses Joe a lot of problems but I think they'll be few and far between.

 

Has Jones showed any interest recently in fighting Hops? I haven't seen anything about it. I don't see a rematch happening ever.