WHY HOPKINS WILL BEAT CALZAGHE.(from a Brit)

[Krisv1]

If this fight happened 6 years ago...in the states I would have fancied B-Hop to re arange Calzaghes face.

This time round Hopkins is more of a defensive tactician, hes more calculating and less aggresive.


Calzaghes best performances were against Kessler and Lacy (2 fighters not in the same stratosphere as Hopkins...Kessler best wins against Beyer and Mundine...Lacy's against Sheika +Reid).

Those to opponents were straight ahead punchers...with Kessler the slightly more accurate....that suits a southpaw down to the ground to counter with his Jab and Hook.

Calzaghe's worst performances were against Robin Reid (many thought he lost), Karami Salem(Knocked Calzaghe down) David Starie...people dont even remember Rick Thornberry,,,,lol...(amazing what u can get away with holding a WBO gong).

All these guys were match spoilers and didnt engage Calzaghe. If there is a better Match spoiler than B-HOP i haven't seen it.

Calzaghe will fin it very hard to engage hopkins on his terms.

Calzaghe has been hurt several times in his career to the body. Brewer/Mitchell etc mad him keel over at points in their fights.
Hopkins is a nasty little body puncher with his left hooks up close/borderline on the refs blindside.

There are many other variables....Crowd, fighting away from home which make me think B-Hop will win.


From a personal point of view I hope HOPKINS beats Calzaghe. I think Hopkins more than Calzaghe deserves to be thought of in our memories as the greater champion. He fought the much better fighters. His 20 defences were far more credible than Calzaghes.

Your thoughts?

[Krisv1]

I just cant believe how arrogant and dismissive Calzaghe and his farther were of Hopkins accomplishments. I think he will get an angry BHop in this fight.

[bill poster]

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BHop will look like this after JC

[Dorfmeister]

Calzaghe toyed with Thornberry and didn't finish him cause he hurt his hand in the second. Kabary Salem was the dirtiest fighter ever to step in the ring with Joe and he should have been disqualified for persistent headbutting ( cut Calzaghe in the second) and Joe was enraged and fought reckless for the period ( second-fourth rounds). Reid is another dirty, rough man who tried to twist Calzaghe's arm and held on his leg in the first and hit him hard on the break but 65 year old Roy Francis did nothing, Reid had some success with right hooks in the 5th and 11th. Calzaghe took a monster number of body blows from Brewer and stayed in the pocket but Mitchell just aimed at the head. Man, I am not into talking shit about either fighter.

Both have chances and they both are great fighters, I wish they get a draw and still look back with respect at one another.

[C Basilio]

1. Joe will be completely prepared for this fight and will not be taking Hopkins lightly unlike his preparation for some fights he's had against weaker fighters.

2. Joe will simply throw many more punches per round and as a result will win rounds even if most of his punches are not effective.

3. Joe will hit and move with a quickness that Hopkins cannot match especially for 12 rounds.

4. Joe has a tougher body than Oscar so he wont be taken out with a body shot.

5. Hopkins is a 58 year old guy and Joe is younger and probably the freshest 35 year old you will find in boxing due to his lifestyle, boxing style and lack of brutal wars in the ring.

Calzaghe will win a comfortable 12 round decision against a frustrated Hopkins.

[BigReg]

If this fight happened 6 years ago...in the states I would have fancied B-Hop to re arange Calzaghes face.

This time round Hopkins is more of a defensive tactician, hes more calculating and less aggresive.


Calzaghes best performances were against Kessler and Lacy (2 fighters not in the same stratosphere as Hopkins...Kessler best wins against Beyer and Mundine...Lacy's against Sheika +Reid).

Those to opponents were straight ahead punchers...with Kessler the slightly more accurate....that suits a southpaw down to the ground to counter with his Jab and Hook.

Calzaghe's worst performances were against Robin Reid (many thought he lost), Karami Salem(Knocked Calzaghe down) David Starie...people dont even remember Rick Thornberry,,,,lol...(amazing what u can get away with holding a WBO gong).

All these guys were match spoilers and didnt engage Calzaghe. If there is a better Match spoiler than B-HOP i haven't seen it.

Calzaghe will fin it very hard to engage hopkins on his terms.

Calzaghe has been hurt several times in his career to the body. Brewer/Mitchell etc mad him keel over at points in their fights.
Hopkins is a nasty little body puncher with his left hooks up close/borderline on the refs blindside.

There are many other variables....Crowd, fighting away from home which make me think B-Hop will win.


From a personal point of view I hope HOPKINS beats Calzaghe. I think Hopkins more than Calzaghe deserves to be thought of in our memories as the greater champion. He fought the much better fighters. His 20 defences were far more credible than Calzaghes.

Your thoughts?

Good analysis, I hope you're right.

[randeris]

how come you are making 10 stupid threads per day?

anyway (from an american) Calzaghe will murder Hopkins!





























Im danish and i am not looking for a murder in this fight.

[Krisv1]

AMerican ? Danish?

make your mind up m8y?

Is this Mikkell Kessler....did Calzaghe scramble your brain?

[teetop]

No, but i'm american and i know that i know calz will beat hopkins.
All you have to do is look at the wright fight. Hopkins was so frustrated by wrights accurate jab and straight left(with no power whatsoever mind you) that he had to resort to mauling and mugging. Now, imagine a taller, heavier, stronger, faster and harder punching version of winky.
Do you honestly think that hoppy has a chance outside of a lucky punch in the nuts?

[klion22]

I think this fight will come down to a few things.

1) Has father time caught up to Hopkins or will he have his legs like he did against Winky because he will need them to nullify some of Calzaghe's high output with movement.

2) How effective can Hopkins counter while Calzaghe's throwing from odd angles? Hopkins is definitely going to get in his shots but i think he needs to be especially accurate in this fight to have a shot. If he regularly catches Calzaghe coming in, that will again slow down Calzaghe's biggest weapon which is his high work rate.

I look for Hopkins to try everything to make it dirty and methodical. Yes, i do expect Hopkins to try to get in a head butt early just like he did against Winky to force a cut. Hopkins will look for every and any advantage.

I can't wait for this one because i'm so curious to see how the fight plays out.

[Toopretty]

No, but i'm american and i know that i know calz will beat hopkins.
All you have to do is look at the wright fight. Hopkins was so frustrated by wrights accurate jab and straight left(with no power whatsoever mind you) that he had to resort to mauling and mugging. Now, imagine a taller, heavier, stronger, faster and harder punching version of winky.
Do you honestly think that hoppy has a chance outside of a lucky punch in the nuts?

Calzaghe has no speed in his straight punches...if he ever throws any. Thats when he gets countered and put on his ass. His speed is in his side armed flurries only. Sorry... Winky is probably the straightes punching fighter period. Calzaghe is the direct opposite.

[Toopretty]

Kessler was a statue....Bhop can MOVE in the ring. Use angles. Kessler just stands there in his pose and is predictable as all hell. Calzaghe figured him out in 5 rounds.

[Benjiabc]

as far as big fights go. this will be the most one sided fight of the last decade joe easily wins anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded

[Dorfmeister]

Calzaghe has no speed in his straight punches...if he ever throws any. Thats when he gets countered and put on his ass. His speed is in his side armed flurries only. Sorry... Winky is probably the straightes punching fighter period. Calzaghe is the direct opposite.

I do feel he closes the gap fast, marching in with right-left-right-left straight shots and on very light feet but I really don't see any pop in those shots. He does get inside with that awkward technique and then he really is dangerous with side shots, double hooks with the right - body-head, left uppercuts and lefts down the middle, very fast when he's close to his opponent. I think the whole thing about Joe is that he really commits himself on offense and is willing to fight through. Winky pumps that well-placed/well-timed jab and left hand in straight lines but is always defensive minded even when he's on offense, something holds him back a little.

[Haye]

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BHop will look like this after JC

What, prettier? I highly doubt it.

[LiamE]

Joe will end the old man's career. No question.

[randeris]

The reason i said that i was american was to prove my point, its easy to say. You might be british, you might not.

Calzaghe is superior to Hopkins at this stage.. He is faster, more intelligent, adjusts to situatons perfectly, hits harder (a bit), amazing workrate and stamina.. This is not because i am a Kessler fan, cause i admit that fighters like Dawson would be favourite to beat him, and Bute/Taylor would give him probs so dont give me that.. If it was Prime for Prime it would be close though.

[Toopretty]

The reason i said that i was american was to prove my point, its easy to say. You might be british, you might not.

Calzaghe is superior to Hopkins at this stage.. He is faster, more intelligent, adjusts to situatons perfectly, hits harder (a bit), amazing workrate and stamina.. This is not because i am a Kessler fan, cause i admit that fighters like Dawson would be favourite to beat him, and Bute/Taylor would give him probs so dont give me that.. If it was Prime for Prime it would be close though.



:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl :rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl :rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl

[randeris]

:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl :rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl :rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofli guess you are right now?

[db2431]

as far as big fights go. this will be the most one sided fight of the last decade joe easily wins anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded
Nothing in the forseeable future will beat Calzaghe vs Lacy for that Honor, BIG FIGHT and 90% of Americans here had Lacy winning the fight easily as a prediction :rofl :rofl

[randeris]

oh man many will start hiding after the euro bum beats your superstar.

[Amsterdam]

Calzaghe will be the 2nd best opponent that he's fought, even at Calzaghe's 36, next to Jones and Hopkins is doing it at age 43?

Calzaghe's not as good as Jones, but he's up there in that level and Hopkins had all he could handle from Jermain Taylor level guys recently.:D

[Dorfmeister]

i guess you are right now?

He is and don't get touchy. Calzaghe is not proven to have more ring intelligence that Hopkins, he fights back more than adjust perfectly and he doesn't seem to hit harder by any means... But he has the much faster hands and fluid punch skills and that should play a big part in this one.

[Toopretty]

He is and don't get touchy. Calzaghe is not proven to have more ring intelligence that Hopkins, he fights back more than adjust perfectly and he doesn't seem to hit harder by any means... But he has the much faster hands and fluid punch skills and that should play a big part in this one.

Show me Calzaghe doing anything different but getting inside and wailing away after he gets hurt, gets the other guy hurt etc etc. That is not ring intelligence that is strong will and confidence. I give him that much. Good chin too. But intelligent.....he wouldnt get tagged and dropped as much as he does.

[randeris]

He is and don't get touchy. Calzaghe is not proven to have more ring intelligence that Hopkins, he fights back more than adjust perfectly and he doesn't seem to hit harder by any means... But he has the much faster hands and fluid punch skills and that should play a big part in this one.I have to disagree. Calzaghe outsmarted Mikkel Kessler which is surdenly not an easy task, considering how much ring generalship he has.. Granted, the ring intelligence might be close, but Calzaghe does adjust.. He had problems with Kessler early, only to adjust and then picked up a whole other style. He started out the agressor, then started countering and getting on the defensive. (not saying he was defensive in that manner, just more than usual). What has Hopkins proved that shows bigger punching? Calzaghe stunned Kessler and laid down Lacy..

[randeris]

The general feeling seems to be that Calzaghe would beat Taylor (am i not right?) Hopkins (win or lose) had big trouble with Taylor only from his activity level and hand speed which is no where near Calzaghes.

[Dorfmeister]

Calzaghe will be the 2nd best opponent that he's fought, even at Calzaghe's 36, next to Jones and Hopkins is doing it at age 43?

Calzaghe's not as good as Jones, but he's up there in that level and Hopkins had all he could handle from Jermain Taylor level guys recently.

That is insane and preposterous! And you keep on doing it time and time again... What's the point? Calzaghe is an excellent fighter but he doesn't have the handspeed to land lead left hooks and counter right hands like Jones did on Hopkins in 93... And let's get this right once and for all, Calzaghe doesn't really bang with flurries like Roy, Ray Leonard and Shane so there's no use in comparing Calzaghe with them... Hopkins, Calzaghe and Taylor are all at the same level, I'm afraid. Just that Calzaghe is the only undefeated fighter of the three maybe because he never fought Taylor or Pavlik or Jones.

[brown_bomber]

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BHop will look like this after JC



:rofl this ugly thing has better teeth then hopkins:hey

[Dorfmeister]

I have to disagree. Calzaghe outsmarted Mikkel Kessler which is surdenly not an easy task, considering how much ring generalship he has.. Granted, the ring intelligence might be close, but Calzaghe does adjust.. He had problems with Kessler early, only to adjust and then picked up a whole other style. He started out the agressor, then started countering and getting on the defensive. (not saying he was defensive in that manner, just more than usual). What has Hopkins proved that shows bigger punching? Calzaghe stunned Kessler and laid down Lacy..

Disagree all the time, that is only healthy and good from you. Calzaghe took over Kessler in rounds six and seven with boxing and you can say he adjusted well. But he really beat Kessler when he outfought him in the eight, took a lot of wild shots and came bravely back for more, hurt Kessler to the body ( last 30 seconds) and should have not been interrupted by Mike Ortega when he was about to take him out. Hopkins has a very sharp right hand and he really stuns you ( see Trinidad round 12, Taylor I - 10th round last 30 seconds, Tarver round 5, there are many more examples) - that's the real big shot he has really... Calzaghe really hurt Lacy with a left uppercut in the 12th and that was not a push ( Hopkins also pushed Tito down after connecting with the counter right hook) Calzaghe hurt Lacy bad in the seventh, ninth ( I believe) and eleventh on the corners but it was more of a magnificient boxing display... Short punches inside, side-stepping, off-setting Lacy all the time, ducking well right hooks, not giving him punching room or enough leverage, beautiful footwoork, it was a complete shutout in my view.

[Dorfmeister]

Show me Calzaghe doing anything different but getting inside and wailing away after he gets hurt, gets the other guy hurt etc etc. That is not ring intelligence that is strong will and confidence. I give him that much. Good chin too. But intelligent.....he wouldnt get tagged and dropped as much as he does.

That's exactly how he fights but he has some smooth moves, specially with footwork and he can protect his head well against wild swinging attacks ( against Sheika in the beggining of the 5th, protected himself well and picked his counter-punches better off the ropes, I was very impressed), then he has flashy hands and well-studied combinations of six, seven punches... He can even put a barrage of 40, 50 shots against Mitchell... But yes, it's all heart, sheer willpower, self-confidence, even Mitchell said so... He is not very intelligent and I don't know he will be able to deal with those games Hopkins plays with everyone... Calzaghe misses, Hopkins smiles with those teeth of his, Calzaghe gets even more enraged and out of control, no... Calzaghe can't play mind games or pose to this guy or it will be a boxing lesson. He does get tagged a lot, specially with right hands coming from his left side, David Starie, Richie Woodhall, Byron Mitchell, Kabary Salem, Sakio Bika, and we all know Hopkins is on a much higher level than all these guys Calzaghe has fought until this point ( exception for Kessler possibly).

[LightningJoe]

hopkins does realise the task ahead

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[HOF]

If this fight happened 6 years ago...in the states I would have fancied B-Hop to re arange Calzaghes face.

If BHop himself thought he could've rearranged Calzaghe's face 6 years ago the fight would've happened as he was offered enough money to do so.

[Welsh Dragon]

If this fight happened 6 years ago...in the states I would have fancied B-Hop to re arange Calzaghes face.
From a personal point of view I hope HOPKINS beats Calzaghe. I think Hopkins more than Calzaghe deserves to be thought of in our memories as the greater champion. He fought the much better fighters. His 20 defences were far more credible than Calzaghes.

Your thoughts?

Calzaghe 6 yrs ago would of been Hopkins` biggest test. To fight now will be tough for Calzaghe cause he never fought a dirty fighter before but Hops is in for a bad nite 19th April. He fought alot of SMALL men and won.
Yess he held onto the IBF title for 10 yrs and done a great job of it but Hopkins has lost fights, 2 losses was against the same guy.
And Calzaghe is 2 leagues above Taylor.

[gutto]

I see bhop taking this fight imo Hopkins is by far Calzaghes biggest challange. I think he has a few to many tricks for JC. I dont mind who wins this fight to be fair but I Hopkins may just nick it.

[GOTTIcsc]

I dispise being called a brit.


From a Scotsman i hope B-Hop destroys JC

[196osh]

I dispise being called a brit.


From a Scotsman i hope B-Hop destroys JC

From a Scotsman: Joe Calzaghe wide UD, :yep

[Maden]

I see bhop taking this fight imo Hopkins is by far Calzaghes biggest challange. I think he has a few to many tricks for JC. I dont mind who wins this fight to be fair but I Hopkins may just nick it.

Hopkins is to old and faded to be Calzaghes biggest challange! Stop living in the past!

[Maden]

calzaghe said that this will be his final year and his toughest and biggest fights will come in 2008.

He has to say things like that! He is fighting for legacy! If he stated that he is fighting has been fighters in the year 2008, he would be mocked by his fans!

I fear that he will fight Roy Jones Jr. after beating Hopkins. That would be a shame!

[kungfu]

Kessler aint even close to bernard hopkins. Not even a "POSSIBLY" cause if you watch him the guy is robotic and has no plan B so that comment bothers me just a tad:think Hopkins as a plan B,C,D,E..........Just dont make scense to me at all.
Just wondering, if b-hop has all of these fall back plans and changeable tactics people go on about....how come we didnt see him use them in 24 rounds of taylor or 12 of winky ? JC obviously showed he can switch tactics midway through the kessler fight.

[sthomas]

Joe's in Arkansas hanging with Taylor, stratedgizing.

[Maden]

fighting two people way past their best should not cement a legacy.

even if he gets an ass wooping which he sure will from B-HOP the british public will see him as the greatest of this era of boxing. :nono :patsch

Hopkins has no chance of winning this one!

After Hopkins Calzaghe only has 2 fights that makes sense legacywise: Pavlik and Dawson!

Pavlik - Calzaghe won´t happen though!

[Maden]

it wont happen and he will take jones jr after his loss to b-hop, he'll lose that one then he'll take a fight in wales.

Not even you believe that would happen. But yes it is really sad that people live in the past with their favourite fighters.

Latest example was Holyfield Vs. Ibragimov.

After Calzaghe retires Hopkins, people will start the crusade that Roy Jones Jr. can win! Sad but true!

[Cobbler]

Hopkins has no chance of winning this one!

After Hopkins Calzaghe only has 2 fights that makes sense legacywise: Pavlik and Dawson!

Pavlik - Calzaghe won´t happen though!

But if Joe beat up Dawson, all the Americans would just say he was overhyped, had never fought anyone really and would all be claiming that they didn't actually pick Dawson to win in one before the fight....

We've been there before!

[KO Boxing]

Hopkins has more of a chance than most will let others believe - but I think Joe has the youth, speed and punch output to get a decision.

Still, a decision over a 43 year old Hopkins does NOT make you p4p no. 2 (unless, of course, a certain other fighter LOSES this weekend); let alone, p4p the best fighter of this generation.

If your not even the best fighter of a 3-year period which encompasses your best wins of your ENTIRE career; how in the hell are you even IN the discussion about being amongst the best fighters of this gen?

[RafaelGonzal]

this fight is a very big mystery, do you really have what you think you see.
How thorough has Joe C' career prepared him for this fight? This is no gimme, but an awkward intelligent, strong and seasoned fighter in Bhop.

Then again Has time and age caught up with BHop and is Joe C as good as he seems. This fight has got me so intrigued and I cant say any one way with any certainty. I can only vouch for the very real and tested ability of BHOP.
Hopkins is defenitely no can and the only negative going in is the age.

fight night will tell the story.

[RafaelGonzal]

Kessler was a statue....Bhop can MOVE in the ring. Use angles. Kessler just stands there in his pose and is predictable as all hell. Calzaghe figured him out in 5 rounds.



the power of observation and common damn sense but no one around here seems to understand that yes a statue, jabs and looks to land the straight right to the head no body work no angles no combos.

great power in that overhand right but has to set then throw every time.

[kungfu]

I think jc's punch power is under-rated by a lot of people, yes he throws them arm flurries, but recently i was watching the lacy fight and among them flurries of about 15-20 punches he would throw in there 3-4 harder shots that hurt lacy bad, joe himself has said that the flurries are meant as a distraction and some of the shots are intended to confuse rather than hurt. So jc gets labelled feather fisted for these punches while people tend to ignore that he does throw some hard shots its just that they are outweighed by his huge volume of other punches, i know its going back a bit but not many people deck eubank and get a nod from the man himself that it was a good shot!

Oh and who has hopkins floored lately? i can only remember ONE decent shot that hopkins has even landed in about 5 years, against tarver.

personally i think hopkins is gonna turn this fight into a stinker, lots of wrestling and running, i see jc winning it probably on jab output.

[maciek4]

Calzaghe will add Hopkins and RJJ to his resume and his resume will be better.

[Dorfmeister]

Kessler aint even close to bernard hopkins. Not even a "POSSIBLY" cause if you watch him the guy is robotic and has no plan B so that comment bothers me just a tad:think Hopkins as a plan B,C,D,E..........Just dont make scense to me at all.

Please don't get bothered cause the explanation is very simple. Kessler was bigger and one heavier-handed conventional boxer who relied much on the counter-right. Joe absorbed those shots and, therefore, thinks that's all he needs to know going into the Hopkins bout. I think Kessler is a good young, smart and strong SMW and he is by far the best opponent Calzaghe has ever faced, so I say that exception for Mikkel possibly b'cause that was the fight which got Bernard impressed with and basically set up this confrontation alongside with Hops' win over Wright. Of course, Kessler has no body or head movement at all and could only stand upright, block some of the shots and throw big straight shots in return... I was the first on this board to bring this up so don't turn this subject against me, bro.

[Alo2006]

I'm still going for B-Hop by UD

[China_hand_Joe]

Please don't get bothered cause the explanation is very simple. Kessler was bigger and one heavier-handed conventional boxer who relied much on the counter-right. Joe absorbed those shots and, therefore, thinks that's all he needs to know going into the Hopkins bout. I think Kessler is a good young, smart and strong SMW and he is by far the best opponent Calzaghe has ever faced, so I say that exception for Mikkel possibly b'cause that was the fight which got Bernard impressed with and basically set up this confrontation alongside with Hops' win over Wright. Of course, Kessler has no body or head movement at all and could only stand upright, block some of the shots and throw big straight shots in return... I was the first on this board to bring this up so don't turn this subject against me, bro.

The more you analyze the more ways you find for Hopkins to be competetive mate.

What you are doing is simply creative writing mate.