99' Hopkins vs 99' Calzaghe who wins and why?

[Fedor Em]

We are pitting a 34 year old Ex who was in between his destructions of Glen Johnson in 97 and Felix Trinidad in 01. This was peak Hops, had great speed, better timing, punching power(the left hook was a major weapon along with the straight right during this time), and stamina to go 15 rounds. Against a 27 year old prime 3 years off his win over Eubank Joe Calzaghe who has better punching power because his hands were not so brittle at the time, and more hand speed.

ESB what do you think about a winner?

Hopkins 7-5 UD with 2 KD's over Joe 115-111

[tays001]

are you reallly doing this i take jc ud 8 rounds to 4 and i actually think jc gets knock down. his hands problems werent as bad back then as they are now

[Samurai]

Hopkins, 7-5

[Fedor Em]

are you reallly doing this i take jc ud 8 rounds to 4 and i actually think jc gets knock down. his hands problems werent as bad back then as they are now

Yes I am doing this, Hopkins didn't have the speed problems he has now, he didn't have the stamina problems he has now, he had the left hook he does not have now, and he has better timing he does not have now. Hops UD

[PH|LLA]

Hopkins would take it imo. Both great fighters but imo prime Hopkins is slightly better and has the style advantage to boot.

[Florida boy]

based on saturdays fight, Hopkins wide UD or late stoppage. if 43 year old hopkins is to much for 36 year old joe, then 34 year old Bhop takes out 27 year old Joe Slappy.

[Florida boy]

it should be noted that hop was a middleweight and joe a supermiddle at this point, which weight would they fight at?

[tays001]

based on saturdays fight, Hopkins wide UD or late stoppage. if 43 year old hopkins is to much for 36 year old joe, then 34 year old Bhop takes out 27 year old Joe Slappy.

27 year old joe didn't slap

[Fedor Em]

it should be noted that hop was a middleweight and joe a supermiddle at this point, which weight would they fight at?

168 for sure. Joe would be too drained at middleweight, but Hopkins would gain punching power as we saw him do in his 40's moving up to LHW.

[Fedor Em]

27 year old joe didn't slap

No he didn't, he had very good power but I don't think he could put down a peak Hopkins granite chin, not even late because Hopkins could have went 15 rounds back then.

[Florida boy]

168 for sure. Joe would be too drained at middleweight, but Hopkins would gain punching power as we saw him do in his 40's moving up to LHW.
then for sure hopkins UD or late stoppage IMO.

[WhataRock]

Hopkins was on fire in those days.

His back to back victories over Johnson & Council in 97 in were near perfect.
And in 99 he destroyed 3 very good contenders in Echols, Vanderpol and Allen (I think).
Dont forget his domination over Keith Holmes, Keith was a bit of a forgotten man back in the day. He was a tricky fighter and a lot better than Sloppy Joppy.

If you had asked me at the time I would have said Hopkins no problems because Calzaghe looked like a young, brash brawler in 1999. He stuggled a bit against Reid and Ricky Thornberry is a very average name to have on your resume.

Knowing that Calzaghe was capable of so much more makes it a little hard to pick now but I still gotta go with Nard, in 99, almost a decade ago, no white boy would beat him.

[tays001]

No he didn't, he had very good power but I don't think he could put down a peak Hopkins granite chin, not even late because Hopkins could have went 15 rounds back then.

so could have JC.

it's all speculation in the end but it is fun to think about it

[BobDigi5060]

Joe would always be younger with the better reflexes. Wouldn't be surprised if he got it.

[Fedor Em]

Joe would always be younger with the better reflexes. Wouldn't be surprised if he got it.

Bernard could nuliffy that with his timing, plus then Hopkins was just about as fast a puncher as Joe was, not quite but very close. Only Roy was visibly faster at middleweight during Nards reign.

[drvooh]

These polls are nothing more tham opinions, but I'd toss a coin due to the fact that Joe, i think, had no hand troubles then

[tays001]

Bernard could nuliffy that with his timing, plus then Hopkins was just about as fast a puncher as Joe was, not quite but very close. Only Roy was visibly faster at middleweight during Nards reign.

at 168 joe was a speed demon 2nd only To RJJ ahe would be visibly faster then nard

[Florida boy]

robin reid gave him all he could handle in 99, you think hopkins wouldnt?

[Bodysnatcher]

Calzaghe from 98-early 2000 was injury plagued, could barely spar and often looked average.

Hopkins UD or even late stoppage.

Much more interesting would be a 2001 match up.

Calzaghe was still powerful (smashed Veit, a decent contender, in a blazing round) and was entering a good run of form (Mitchell, Brewer).

[Fedor Em]

at 168 joe was a speed demon 2nd only To RJJ ahe would be visibly faster then nard

Watch the fight with Glen Johnson, watch the fight with Roy even. You will see while not as fast as Roy he was still quick as fuck, just a shade slower than Calzaghe even at his peak.

[LeadLeftHook]

A young Hopkins destroys Joe no question about it. Why do you think Joe never fought him or Roy back then.

[tays001]

Watch the fight with Glen Johnson, watch the fight with Roy even. You will see while not as fast as Roy he was still quick as fuck, just a shade slower than Calzaghe even at his peak.

very true but my point is jc would still be faster.

[Fedor Em]

These polls are nothing more tham opinions, but I'd toss a coin due to the fact that Joe, i think, had no hand troubles then

Then the first thing that would come into question with increased Calzaghe power is Hopkins' chin. Hopkins has never been down when fighting at or near sealevel. His chin is proven as one of the greatest ever. Calzaghe could not budge him in their fight and even with the increased hand power of a Prime Calzaghe I cannot see him doing more than possibly stunning him in Nard's prime. Bernard has been in there with some heavy punchers.

[Lance_Uppercut]

very true but my point is jc would still be faster.

Great. In a speed race Joe Wins. At least you established that. :lol:

[tays001]

Great. In a speed race Joe Wins. At least you established that. :lol:

LOlshutup lance this isn't blockey your dealing with :lol:

[Lance_Uppercut]

LOlshutup lance this isn't blockey your dealing with :lol:

I know, I just couldn't resist. I'm kind of a smart ass at times... :hey

[tays001]

I know, I just couldn't resist. I'm kind of a smart ass at times... :hey:rofl :rofl

point taken

[Fedor Em]

Hopkins stops him. No contest. :smoke

It is not out of the question but I think Joe survives because of his speed and defense. But he gets KD twice. :good

[klion22]

Man, i can't believe the voting is actually logical instead of having a bunch of Calzaghe nuthuggers claiming Calzaghe would win a wide UD or stop Hopkins. WTF is going on here? Oh wait, i know why, it's 6AM in the UK right now. In a few hours, the Calzaghe nuthuggers will vote for Calzaghe.

[Fedor Em]

Man, i can't believe the voting is actually logical instead of having a bunch of Calzaghe nuthuggers claiming Calzaghe would win a wide UD or stop Hopkins. WTF is going on here? Oh wait, i know why, it's 6AM in the UK right now. In a few hours, the Calzaghe nuthuggers will vote for Calzaghe.

Fuck them, the dumb twats don't know what they are talking about anyways. :good

[klion22]

Fuck them, the dumb twats don't know what they are talking about anyways. :good

But just watch the votes. You and i see where it's at right now but watch later this day when the European posters will have seen this poll and voted. A lot of Calzaghe votes. Just watch. :good

[Fedor Em]

But just watch the votes. You and i see where it's at right now but watch later this day when the European posters will have seen this poll and voted. A lot of Calzaghe votes. Just watch. :good

Yep, 26 to 4 right now. I will use this to show what bias faggots they are later. :yep

[Alo2006]

Yes I am doing this, Hopkins didn't have the speed problems he has now, he didn't have the stamina problems he has now, he had the left hook he does not have now, and he has better timing he does not have now. Hops UD

I agree with ya, a prime B-Hop is to much for Calzaghe.

[2ironmt]

if bernard had more energy and a little more killer instinct he'd probably have won a clear decision the other night. but then again calzaghe would have more power likely, but i'll take hop.

[dontplamelikdat]

Hopkins KO 10

[KO Boxing]

Hopkins.

32-4 after 36. :think

Either this board is coming round, or all the Brits are in bed.

[2ironmt]

Hopkins.

32-4 after 36. :think

Either this board is coming round, or all the Brits are in bed.yeah, around 7 am there. tomorrow the poll will be completely reversed.

[klion22]

Hopkins.

32-4 after 36. :think

Either this board is coming round, or all the Brits are in bed.

Well, it's only 6:20 AM in the UK, that's why. They haven't had the chance to see this thread yet. So the only people voting are Americans.

[KO Boxing]

Damn.

Thought this place had gotten a bit of sense.

Even though I had a feeling it was due to the lack of British posters here at the moment.

[klion22]

It's just like the delusional Calzaghe fans who think Calzaghe would beat a PRIME Toney at 168 via a UD or even stoppage. HA HA. You've got to be kidding me. Toney, the master counter puncher with a rock hard chin and impregnable defense? You saw what a 43 year old Hopkins did with his counter punching, imagine what a PRIME Toney would do to Calzaghe the way he jumps in?

[KO Boxing]

It's just like the delusional Calzaghe fans who think Calzaghe would beat a PRIME Toney at 168 via a UD or even stoppage. HA HA. You've got to be kidding me. Toney, the master counter puncher with a rock hard chin and impregnable defense? You saw what a 43 year old Hopkins did with his counter punching, imagine what a PRIME Toney would do to Calzaghe the way he jumps in?
I've ALWAYS picked Toney over Calzaghe, even before last Saturday night.

After watching Hopkins counter-punching success last saturday, I'm almost certain Toney would win.

[Farmboxer]

Calzaghe would win.

[Osiris]

Hopkins 8-4 with a KD or two for him as well.

[doomeddisciple]

Toney would KO Joe. In 5. Too accurate and too heavy handed.

Hopkins would beat down Calzaghe, sustained beatdown with a stoppage late.

[dave82]

Hopkins takes this. 116-111 with a kd.
Hopkins was a beast back then

[Fedor Em]

Toney would KO Joe. In 5. Too accurate and too heavy handed.

Hopkins would beat down Calzaghe, sustained beatdown with a stoppage late.

Calzaghe has good defense so I think he can survive being hurt better than most. I see a close UD win for Toney and a 4 point win for Hopkins.

[brooklyn1550]

Hopkins UD Calzaghe
Calzaghe UD Toney

[klion22]

Hopkins UD Calzaghe
Calzaghe UD Toney

I'm just curious why and how you think Calzaghe would beat a PRIME Toney at 168.

[jupzrooni]

i'm just trolling so i voted it a draw.

but honestly considering 1999 version bhop was really an 'executioner' he wins at least 9 rds to 3 against 99 calzaghe

[DanePugilist]

Difficult match to render. Calzaghe made more mistakes back then, and more of a rough diamond. He had more speed, and more power, but his hands still tended to break.

Having said this, I could picture a match that would be pretty much like RJJ-Hopkins only closer. It's a tug of war between speed and precision counters. Hopkins is a natural MW.