Bhop Vs Joe Calzaghe

[ibragimovfan]

who wins?!? this would be an excellent fight i think.

[China_hand_Joe]

It wouldn't be a fair fight at this point in time, would have been interesting when Hopkins ducked out years ago though.

[brooklyn1550]

50/50 fight in my opinion...I'd bet on Hopkins if I had to

[SevenSamurai]

unfortunately, this will never happen now.

A prime for prime match up would go to the judges cards and be a controversial decision due to ring craft of both guys being so refined.

[Danny Ocean]

hopkins always

[RAMPAGE0017]

Hopkins clock is ticking.. I'm not so sure if I still want to even see this fight. But I think Hopkins at his best would take Calzaghe.

[jonesjrp4p1]

It wouldn't be a fair fight at this point in time, would have been interesting when Hopkins ducked out years ago though.

please tell me that was an avatar bet you lost....but for some reason i think you just like the pic.........hopkins ud

[Guru_Too_You]

Hopkins any time, any place.

[Brighton bomber]

I'd favour Calzaghe now due to his style but prime for prime Hopkins wins a UD.

[Motor City Sam]

Right now, I'd say Hopkins by UD. In BHop's prime I think he would win by TKO. In the interest of full disclosure, I admit to being a huge Hopkins fan.

[Nawfal]

now id favour calzaghe because of his fast feet and hands and combo punching

[PrideOfWales]

Competitive prime for prime - now UD Calzaghe

[Smith]

Dominant UD for Calzaghe nowadays

[Irish Steel]

Calzaghe would pick Hopkins apart.

[brooklyn1550]

Hopkins is too cagy, too experienced, too smart, too dirty, and too crafty to be easily beaten by anybody from 160 to 175. It would be a close fight as Hopkins is dominant against southpaws and knows how to deal with them along with Calzaghe's workrate and speed. Calzaghe's volume of punches thrown will leave a lot of openings for counterpunch opportunities by Hopkins but if Hopkins isn't very active, he could get outhustled and decisioned. The other thing that I think about with this fight is that Hopkins knows how to deal with speedy fighters...they are nothing new to him. Honestly, I think this is a true 50/50 fight if there ever was one.

[Motor City Sam]

Hopkins is too cagy, too experienced, too smart, too dirty, and too crafty to be easily beaten by anybody from 160 to 175. It would be a close fight as Hopkins is dominant against southpaws and knows how to deal with them along with Calzaghe's workrate and speed. Calzaghe's volume of punches thrown will leave a lot of openings for counterpunch opportunities by Hopkins but if Hopkins isn't very active, he could get outhustled and decisioned. The other thing that I think about with this fight is that Hopkins knows how to deal with speedy fighters...they are nothing new to him. Honestly, I think this is a true 50/50 fight if there ever was one.

Brooklyn, that's a nice analysis. Good job. :good

[shelterr]

Calzaghe, his workrate is very good and i think he would win on this alone.

[David UK]

Frank ****** tried many times to lure Hopkins into a Calzaghe fight and Hopkins wasn't interested. On the latest occasion Hopkins said he was retired, then made a comeback at Light Heavy, skipping out the Super-Middleweight division!!

[China_hand_Joe]

Frank ****** tried many times to lure Hopkins into a Calzaghe fight and Hopkins wasn't interested. On the latest occasion Hopkins said he was retired, then made a comeback at Light Heavy, skipping out the Super-Middleweight division!!The previous time, with box boxers around their primes he doubled his demands having agreed in principle to a deal. It doesn't matter anyway, had he faced Joe and been beaten he'd be considered nothing much anyway.

[Shake]

Calzaghe's pace is too much for Bhop. He can't win a decision, and Joe's chin is sturdy enough for him to stay upright to the end.

[Terrible Terry]

Calzaghe all day, BHOP has never been in with anything like Joe. Roy had better speed but not the non stop work rate to make Hopkins leave his comfort zone. Calzaghe by UD. I know everybody loves BHOP but the bottom line is the man is over rated, if Calzaghe was from Philly and Hopkins was from Wales then Calzaghe would be over rated. I like BHOP and live just outside of Philly myself but having watched all of both guys fights Calzaghe is the better fighter.

[hopkinsfan07]

Calzaghe all day, BHOP has never been in with anything like Joe. Roy had better speed but not the non stop work rate to make Hopkins leave his comfort zone. Calzaghe by UD. I know everybody loves BHOP but the bottom line is the man is over rated, if Calzaghe was from Philly and Hopkins was from Wales then Calzaghe would be over rated. I like BHOP and live just outside of Philly myself but having watched all of both guys fights Calzaghe is the better fighter.

you in a dream land B-hop would out box him all night

[brooklyn1550]

All around, I think Hopkins is the better fighter

[rekcutnevets]

I don't know if Hopkins can match his activity level now. I would have picked Hopkins a few years ago, but Joe's moving in and out and throwing quick combinations could bother the old man.

Hopkins may be able to school Joe, though. I am not trying to be funny, but every so often Calzaghe reminds me of viciousboxer the way he moves around. What I mean by that is that he is doing something I don't buy as being genuine. Like he is adding something that he thinks others will look at and say, "Oh. He makes rather great moves in there." Hopkins may be able to get to him during one of these posing routines.

I'm not downplaying Calzaghe's reign. He has proven himself to be the best super middle now, and I'm curious to see what these last few fights he says he has planned will do for him all time. I currently rank Jones Jr. as the best supermiddle ever because he beat James Toney. Joe may be able to give these guys a run for their money when all gets said and done. Not head to head, achievment wise.

[Carlos Primera]

50/50 a few years ago i think, today joe by decision

[David UK]

Calzaghe all day, BHOP has never been in with anything like Joe. Roy had better speed but not the non stop work rate to make Hopkins leave his comfort zone. Calzaghe by UD. I know everybody loves BHOP but the bottom line is the man is over rated, if Calzaghe was from Philly and Hopkins was from Wales then Calzaghe would be over rated. I like BHOP and live just outside of Philly myself but having watched all of both guys fights Calzaghe is the better fighter.

Spot on from a knowledgable American fan!!

To underline your point about Hopkins being overrated(that's not to say he's not very good by the way), someone started a thread a while ago entitled 'Who wins? Prime Hagler v Prime Hopkins?' And the answers were about 50/50!!!!:patsch

[brooklyn1550]

Spot on from a knowledgable American fan!!

To underline your point about Hopkins being overrated(that's not to say he's not very good by the way), someone started a thread a while ago entitled 'Who wins? Prime Hagler v Prime Hopkins?' And the answers were about 50/50!!!!:patsch

Has Joe ever faced anybody as good as Bernard?

[cuchulain]

Dominant UD for Calzaghe nowadays

Nowadsys and anydays !

[ChuckYoungblood]

I hate these "in his prime" discussions. Right now B-hop would loose for sure and thats for sure. I would watch it, and it could be interesting, but Calzaghe all the way..

[smokey]

I hate these "in his prime" discussions. Right now B-hop would loose for sure and thats for sure. I would watch it, and it could be interesting, but Calzaghe all the way..

I think Hopkins would lose a UD that would be competative in parts. If Taylor could squeak by Hopkins on the cards based on sheer activity, then JC would get a UD. I do think Hopkins wins on technical skill and ring saavy, which will make him a handfull for anyone, but that isn't the only aspect of a fight.

In his prime, I think Hop could win, because he was a 12 round every minute of the round fighter back then. I don't think it's a given, but I definitely think he couldn't win today.

[Tettsuo]

Bhop wins this one by UD, maybe even a KO. He eats lefties for breakfast, and Calzaghe will give him plenty of opportunities to hit him with that lead right.

[dwilson]

Calzaghe every day, prime for prime and convincingly now.

[Beatboxer]

Don't let the old Bastard nut swingers fool you

JC by comfortable UD

[Vantage_West]

Hopkins, he slides under those flurries, roughs Joe up on the inside, he lands the lead right alnight on square-on Joe and ties up when he has to. Just too polished for Joe, who is all heart, workrate, arm-punching handspeed and instinctswow how 2d do you think calzaghe is?

calzaghe by ud over hopkins
calzaghe is an excellent inside fighter with handspeed power and the natural athletic ability. on the outside joe can be beaten he has short reach for a man his size and his jab is good but isnt his weapon of choice.

and so who cares if he uses these 'arm punches' they are still point givers arnt they you could say that a jab is an armpunch....:think

calzaghe to busy to elusive for my liking but hopkins is no fool and would do his best he is a hard man to beat.

[China_hand_Joe]

calzaghe to busy to elusive for my liking but hopkins is no fool and would do his best he is a hard man to beat.He'd just be spoiling Calzaghe from the second round onwards, once Hopkins had realised victory would require a miracle.

[sean]

ays thought this was a hard fight for calzaghe, be it now, 5 years ago or 10 years ago.

hopkins was always a very big middle and i new he would have no trouble adapting to 168 or 175.

but on the other hand calzaghe would be hopkins biggest win IMO as there is not a single opponent who hopkins ever beat at middle, who would have gone on to beat calzaghe at super middle had they ever met.

hopkins feasted on just as many tin cans as calzaghe did , just at different weights.

sad to say except for the few elite fighters 160 to 168 for the last 10 years which have not fought each other has been seriously bereft of talent.

i think calzaghe wins this now due to the fact hopkins barley throws any punches for half the fight.

5 to 7 years ago i would have picked hopkins.

[New Wind]

prime vs prime, JC takes Bhop out inside 6 rounds.
Bhop has never had the skills to cope with the kind of pressure that JC brings.

Thus, the X has wisely avoided Joe for years on end.

Today, joe takes Bhop out inside a round.

Why, I hear you cry?
Because Joe is the 2nd best SMW on the planet and beats anyone from 160-175, bar the best in the business.
And you know who I mean, don't ya?

[sean]

prime vs prime, JC takes Bhop out inside 6 rounds.
Bhop has never had the skills to cope with the kind of pressure that JC brings.

Thus, the X has wisely avoided Joe for years on end.

Today, joe takes Bhop out inside a round.

Why, I hear you cry?
Because Joe is the 2nd best SMW on the planet and beats anyone from 160-175, bar the best in the business.
And you know who I mean, don't ya?

der iron 1 punch phantom :huh

[DanePugilist]

JC by UD - either boxer cant KO the other imho, and thus goto decision - and I cant see Hopkins outpointing Calzaghe - Bhop is too inactive.

Face it - Hopkins is good for his age, nothing more.

[China_hand_Joe]

Face it - Hopkins is good for his age, nothing more.How on earth can people not see that? They should all be sterilised.

[compukiller]

Hopkins by Dominant UD. Bigger, stronger, better skilled. Even Joe C himself said that Hopkins would be the most difficult fight of his career.

[Brighton bomber]

ays thought this was a hard fight for calzaghe, be it now, 5 years ago or 10 years ago.

hopkins was always a very big middle and i new he would have no trouble adapting to 168 or 175.

but on the other hand calzaghe would be hopkins biggest win IMO as there is not a single opponent who hopkins ever beat at middle, who would have gone on to beat calzaghe at super middle had they ever met.

hopkins feasted on just as many tin cans as calzaghe did , just at different weights.

sad to say except for the few elite fighters 160 to 168 for the last 10 years which have not fought each other has been seriously bereft of talent.

i think calzaghe wins this now due to the fact hopkins barley throws any punches for half the fight.

5 to 7 years ago i would have picked hopkins.

I agree 100%. Hopkins is my favourite fighter of all time but he hasn't fought for some time and Calzaghe's workrate would give anyone problems. If Taylor could give Hopkins 2 close fights Calzaghe can beat him now.

[DanePugilist]

How on earth can people not see that? They should all be sterilised.Because some think that beating Tarver was a good win, beating the smaller OdlH likewise. Having two close matches with Taylor whose fame originates from those fights; they have just forgotten that fact.

[Jinx]

Hopkins, he slides under those flurries, roughs Joe up on the inside, he lands the lead right alnight on square-on Joe and ties up when he has to. Just too polished for Joe, who is all heart, workrate, arm-punching handspeed and instincts

what he said...

[chrisroxthem]

bhop knocks him out

[McGrain]

bhop knocks him out

That's ridiculous.

Right now it's Calzaghe in a fight that has four interesting rounds and then shoots down hill.

Prime for prime, Hopkins all the way.

[Primadonna Kool]

Seriously i believe Joe Calzaghe out workouts Bernard Hopkins. When Bernard Hopkins was out moving Jermaine Taylor and Antonio Tarver, that was because of his foot speed.

One problem, when you face Joe Calzaghe. Joe Calzaghe foot speed is, fast and explosive. Joe Calzaghe has showed that he can fight going forward, and also on the back foot in and out fast.

Bernard Hopkins won't really be able to pot shot Calzaghe, and then circled him. And win the fight like that, he will have to do something he hasn’t do for a long time. And that’s deliver punches in bunches, one after another throughout each round.

"Joe Calzaghe delivers in rapid fire, will simply outworked Bernard Hopkins"

"I pick Winky Wright over Bernard Hopkins aswell, a higher work rate, like a armored tank coming forward and occasionally lets the rockets go" Ronald Winky Wright!

[warchild]

:lol:

Let's hope that Hatton/Mayweather and Calzaghe/Hopkins isn't on the same card....this forum could very well be purged of half its members in one night.

[sues2nd]

Because some think that beating Tarver was a good win, beating the smaller OdlH likewise. Having two close matches with Taylor whose fame originates from those fights; they have just forgotten that fact.

Jumping 2 weight classes in one fight to shut out the champ at that weight is not only a good win....at the age in which Hopkins did it in....its a fantastic win.

The ODLH fight was significant in it being a name and also giving Hopkins a status as a big money fighter (as his last few paydays show....).

Now the Taylor fights were fights Hop didnt have to take. Taylor was a young, hungry up and coming STAR, not yet a mandatory. And rather than moving up or taking an easier fight, he fought someone younger, faster and hungrier than himself or what he could have taken. Taking the Taylor fight was a risk...I love how people ignore this.

And plus, the Taylor fights were close fights. I had Hopkins 1-0-1 in them, but wouldnt/didnt argue a Taylor win in the 2nd one.

Point is, people can try to diminish what Bernard has done in the ring, but he has fought much better competition than Calzaghe has.

I love Joe, but he would lose even now vs Hopkins.

[warchild]

Jumping 2 weight classes in one fight to shut out the champ at that weight is not only a good win....at the age in which Hopkins did it in....its a fantastic win.

The ODLH fight was significant in it being a name and also giving Hopkins a status as a big money fighter (as his last few paydays show....).

Now the Taylor fights were fights Hop didnt have to take. Taylor was a young, hungry up and coming STAR, not yet a mandatory. And rather than moving up or taking an easier fight, he fought someone younger, faster and hungrier than himself or what he could have taken. Taking the Taylor fight was a risk...I love how people ignore this.

And plus, the Taylor fights were close fights. I had Hopkins 1-0-1 in them, but wouldnt/didnt argue a Taylor win in the 2nd one.

Point is, people can try to diminish what Bernard has done in the ring, but he has fought much better competition than Calzaghe has.

I love Joe, but he would lose even now vs Hopkins.

I don't see how Calzaghe can be regarded any higher than Sven Ottke, who also rarely left home to fight and rarely took on a tough challenge. Ricky Hatton has the right idea....he made the decision to get into the mix, and it's paying off.

[DanePugilist]

Jumping 2 weight classes in one fight to shut out the champ at that weight is not only a good win....at the age in which Hopkins did it in....its a fantastic win.

The ODLH fight was significant in it being a name and also giving Hopkins a status as a big money fighter (as his last few paydays show....).

Now the Taylor fights were fights Hop didnt have to take. Taylor was a young, hungry up and coming STAR, not yet a mandatory. And rather than moving up or taking an easier fight, he fought someone younger, faster and hungrier than himself or what he could have taken. Taking the Taylor fight was a risk...I love how people ignore this.

And plus, the Taylor fights were close fights. I had Hopkins 1-0-1 in them, but wouldnt/didnt argue a Taylor win in the 2nd one.

Point is, people can try to diminish what Bernard has done in the ring, but he has fought much better competition than Calzaghe has.

I love Joe, but he would lose even now vs Hopkins.Jumping up two weight classes to beat an absentminded no-trained has been that beat a has been - does nothing for me - except that he did it at an old age, however - both RJJ and Tarver are almost as old.

Yes, it was a risk fighting Taylor - compared to any other of his fights since RJJ. Still Taylor was only an up-and coming star with like 24 fights or something like that. Never had he been in the ring with an elite. I guess that Hopkins thought it would be greater to do it before he got better.

However Taylor still lives off those fights. He went fairly even with Winky, but I feel that Winky won. He went to a close fight with smaller Spinks whom is featherfisted(just like Winky).

Just because he has fought better opposition doesn't make him a better fighter - especially not at 42. No way in hell can he beat JC now. I fail to see how.

He fights in spurts due to his old age, he is still fairly strong, and an excellent counterpuncher. Going up in weight may fly well versus a done Tarver, but not versus an just past prime JC, who does a hell of a lot more in each round and has better movement by far than Hopkins.

[sues2nd]

Jumping up two weight classes to beat an absentminded no-trained has been that beat a has been - does nothing for me - except that he did it at an old age, however - both RJJ and Tarver are almost as old.

Yes, it was a risk fighting Taylor - compared to any other of his fights since RJJ. Still Taylor was only an up-and coming star with like 24 fights or something like that. Never had he been in the ring with an elite. I guess that Hopkins thought it would be greater to do it before he got better.

However Taylor still lives off those fights. He went fairly even with Winky, but I feel that Winky won. He went to a close fight with smaller Spinks whom is featherfisted(just like Winky).

Just because he has fought better opposition doesn't make him a better fighter - especially not at 42. No way in hell can he beat JC now. I fail to see how.

He fights in spurts due to his old age, he is still fairly strong, and an excellent counterpuncher. Going up in weight may fly well versus a done Tarver, but not versus an just past prime JC, who does a hell of a lot more in each round and has better movement by far than Hopkins.

I love it. So because Tarver came into the fight unprepared, that is somehow a slight on Hopkins. Makes so much sense.

:patsch

Do you have any idea how many fighters jumped 2 weight classes in one fight to take on the champion in that class and WON in the past 20 years?

Roy Jones Jr
Bernard Hopkins

End of list. Plus when you factor in the age, and the fact that he fought the generally regarded BEST of the champions at LHW (rather than a tailor made for Roy, John Ruiz) it makes it the more impressive win of the two.

But again, because Tarver wasnt ready for the fight, that is a knock on Hopkins.

It alllllllll makes sense to me now. :-(

You say it was a risk fighting Taylor....the first risk he had taken since Jones? WRONG AGAIN BROTHER!!!!

So fighting an undefeated PRIME Glen Johnson wasnt a risk? Or how about Joe Lipsey, who was, like Taylor, considered the heir apparent at the time and had walked through all 25 of his opponents leading up to the fight....HELL he was even favored to win by a huge amount of writers/"experts". Or how about Tito? Who had just DESTROYED one of the top 5 MWs in the world like noone had before or since?

I guess because hindsight is 20/20 we shouldnt give him credit for being the first man to beat Johnson because others have since (even tho EVERY boxing fan with an IQ over 25 knows the majority of his losses were gift decisions in the other fighters back yard...but whatever). Or the Lipsey win should be considered a win over a fighter whom obviously lacked the heart to be great (yet lets forget the skills and power he had....and nevermind the risk). Or lets just call Tito a blown up WW...because thats the easy thing to do (and ignore his DESTRUCTION of Joppy...where he proved he belonged at MW).

I GET IT HOW!!! HOPKINS CAN SEE THE FUTURE!!! Wow he gets better every day....:hey

How many risks has Calzaghe taken? 1? Lacy? Or should we use hindsight to show that because he wasnt as good as we thought (even tho I picked Joe to win by UD....) and that he wasnt in with an "elite" yet, that this win wasnt a risk either? HELL NO! That was one hell of a win. Get ya head out your ass if you feel that way!

And as for Taylor. What does this guy have to do to show his mettle? The haters on this guy are absolutely ridiculous. He has fought Hopkins twice...Winky (which I had a draw, but wouldnt argue it either way)...Ouma (as a tune up)....and Spinks (and Spinks' style would make ANY fighter look bad...that is the way he fights)....and now Pavlik. That is 5 former or current world champions (Hop twice) and 3 p4p top ten fighters in 5 fights. AND HE, whether you think he won or not, IS 4-0-1 IN THEM...meaning all of the fights were at the very least close. And now he is fighting the most dangerous fighter in the division. All this guy does is take risks....

So, yeah, really living off those Hopkins wins... :huh

And I love how you knock Hopkins for fighting in spurts, when in his last fight....HE OUTWORKED TARVER!!!! He was throwing all night... BUT, even if we ignore that and go on what you said. The man is a 42 year old physical marvel, but not a fucking superhero. What do people want him to do, go into every fight attempting to reenact Corrales - Castillo 1? Make some sense.

All your post did was show your obvious bias on the subject. You dont like Hopkins....cool, we get it. But at least try to look at it objectively. See that is the difference...I love Calzaghe, he is one of my 5-10 favorite fighters today (my list changes daily with my mood...:nut ), but I am not going to look at the fight as a fan of a certain fighter....but I look at each fight as a fan of the sport....easier not to make idiotic comments like the one I quoted.

Hopkins style (defensive MASTER, unreal counter puncher, still good power, etc) is taylor made for someone who fights like Joe does (high workrate, low power, very accurate). Hop UD....or if he catches him too many times with that lead right, he may stop him late (tho I feel that is unlikely).

And the following statement is so stupid by the way....I gotta quote it again!

Just because he has fought better opposition doesn't make him a better fighter

Um, yes, it actually does. That is how you measure a fighters greatness....by who he has proven it against. Not the skills he has.

HELL, if we did it by skill and potential, we would have to say Zab Judah is still one of the best fighters in the world...I mean, skill wise, the man is amazing....BUT putting it together and actually doing something with it...the man is shite (tho his fight with Cotto shows he may something in him after all...who knows)!!!

Greatness is what Hopkins has proven, Joe, tho I still believe can and will be considered great....has yet to fully show it (not leaving home, not fighting top comp, etc.....).

Again, all you did was show you dont like Hopkins. Look at the facts, rather than your obviously warped opinion. You wont embarass yourself like that anymore!

:hi:

[China_hand_Joe]

It was hardly on the level of Calzaghe vs Lacy...Lacy is certainly better than Tarver at this point in time too.

Total punches
Tarver: 78 of 437, 18%
Hopkins: 133 of 417, 32%

All three judges score the bout 118-109 for the winner by unanimous decision, Bernard

[sues2nd]

It was hardly on the level of Calzaghe vs Lacy...Lacy is certainly better than Tarver at this point in time too.

Total punches
Tarver: 78 of 437, 18%
Hopkins: 133 of 417, 32%

All three judges score the bout 118-109 for the winner by unanimous decision, Bernard

Agreed....I thought the Lacy win was a great win for Joe. Especially when so many people were picking Lacy (even tho his style was tailor made for Calzaghe...).

But, because Tarver wasnt/isnt on Lacy's level at that time....it doesnt take away from the type of win (or the impressiveness of said win) it was for Bernard.

I dont mind so much people picking Joe...just be fair and unbiased about it....dont just discredit Hopkins (unfairly I might add...) to try and prove your opinion.

[China_hand_Joe]

It was a great win in terms of legacy for B-Hop (name fighter, fairly dominating, up in weight, the same if he beats Winky. But in doesn't prove him, in pure physical boxing terms to be on Joe level. I won't discredit the win itself, but it certainly doesn't suggest to me he could beat Calzaghe.

[sues2nd]

It was a great win in terms of legacy for B-Hop (name fighter, fairly dominating, up in weight, the same if he beats Winky. But in doesn't prove him, in pure physical boxing terms to be on Joe level. I won't discredit the win itself, but it certainly doesn't suggest to me he could beat Calzaghe.

Agreed again.

I dont look at a fight that happened so late in Hopkins career...vs a fighter that fights in no way like or on the level of Calzaghe as a measuring stick as to what Hop-Calzaghe would look like.

I just feel that the two styles of the fighters match up in a way that, with Joe being accurate, and busy, but not very powerful...a fighter like Bernard, who is widely considered the best defensive fighter in this era (arguably) is going to be able to get inside on him...where Joe is alot less effective. And with the lack of a fear of KO from Bernard, it will make it a hell of alot easier to land that big lead right.

[champ1]

Hopkins K0 7, Hopkins frustrates Calzaghe in the first half of the fight. Then Calzaghe will open up and every big right hopkins lands calzaghe will becomes more erratic windmilling his punches like a school boy in a playground fight.....then hopkins lands big ...thank you and goodnight:hi: