Hopkins, Golden Boy Push For a Joe Calzaghe Rematch

Published

By Mark Vester

Bernard Hopkins and Golden Boy Promotions are doing their best to lure Joe Calzaghe out of retirement. Calzaghe, 46-0, announced his retirement last month. Hopkins has been trying to land one final major fight before calling an end to his own career. Calzaghe won a close split decision over Hopkins last April, but was very against a rematch. He felt their styles make for a very ugly fight and their April bout was a clear example.

Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy, is trying to broker the rematch and says there are no issues with Hopkins traveling over to Calzaghe's homeland of Wales to make it happen.

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"I'll be talking to Joe because I can see a huge event if he wants to do one last fight in Wales. Bernard specifically told me that he would come to Wales to fight Joe Calzaghe. This would be the biggest challenge for Joe. I think there's some unfinished business between them. I haven't given up hope. Never give up hope," Schaefer told Setanta TV.

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Comments

kayjaySat Mar 7, 2009, 9:10 PM UTC

It's amazing how a Welsh 'slapper' has brought out insecurity in so many people, starting with Hopkins.

WESSSat Mar 7, 2009, 6:55 PM UTC

First of all I still think a Dawson fight would be a lot more exciting. You've convinced me that it's possible I might be wrong about that, but my gut feeling is still that Hopkins and Calzaghe are both essentially spoilers, and whatever Hopkins does differently from the first time, it will still be an ugly fight. Secondly, unlike some, I don't think it would be any more decisive than the first time. Hopkins never loses decisively, and until age really catches up with him, I doubt he ever will. I think Calzaghe would win again in another close, ugly fight. Third, in terms of his legacy, judging from this thread, Calzaghe wouldn't get any props whatsoever for a second win, unless it was really decisive, which I don't think it would be. You are an honourable exception, but you're the only Hopkins fan who has said he would give him props for another close win - and some have actually said that they would regard any Calzaghe win in Wales as a hometown decision. Given that, it's hard to get excited about what it would do for his legacy. And I think Hopkins would whine again after the fight if he lost, which would leave a bad taste in the mouth, making it a less than ideal way for Calzaghe to end his career. I would love Calzaghe to have one more fight, but I'd still far rather it was against Dawson. But kudos to you for your posts, I really wish Hopkins had more fans like you. Good points. But who wouldn't want to see Dawson fight him. Hop and Cals don't want anything to do with him at this point in there career though.... But fighting Hop again will do more for his career than his last fight with Jones. Of course I was rooting for old man jones but Tarver ended his days. ANYONE before 2003-04 couldn't touch P4P number 1 Roy Jones Jr! There is a reason Jones was P4P 1 and Calzaghe was un-heard of let alone in the running for #1. Even Ali got old and lost and looked bad doing it... Point is Joe will fight Hop over Dawson any day and Joes already said he wont fight Hop again. But i'm hoping the money (that motivates him) will pull him out of "retirement". Just as PBF will do..... right after Manny "DESTROYS" Hatton.... BIG MONEY style..... Its a MEGA fight just bound to happen. Hatton has no chance and is just a STEPPING STONE for Manny to call out the TRUE P4P top dogg Money May!

Dave_RadoSat Mar 7, 2009, 4:35 PM UTC

Its good for the sport and better yet Joe's fans. If you're REALLY a fan of Joe Calzaghe you would be promoting the fight. If EVERYONE is so confident that Joe will win why not be for it. I mean if it DOES take place it'll be in WALES. I mean if I was a die hard joe fan I would be all game for it.... makes no sense to me why no one wants to see this... First of all I still think a Dawson fight would be a lot more exciting. You've convinced me that it's possible I might be wrong about that, but my gut feeling is still that Hopkins and Calzaghe are both essentially spoilers, and whatever Hopkins does differently from the first time, it will still be an ugly fight. Secondly, unlike some, I don't think it would be any more decisive than the first time. Hopkins never loses decisively, and until age really catches up with him, I doubt he ever will. I think Calzaghe would win again in another close, ugly fight. Third, in terms of his legacy, judging from this thread, Calzaghe wouldn't get any props whatsoever for a second win, unless it was really decisive, which I don't think it would be. You are an honourable exception, but you're the only Hopkins fan who has said he would give him props for another close win - and some have actually said that they would regard any Calzaghe win in Wales as a hometown decision. Given that, it's hard to get excited about what it would do for his legacy. And I think Hopkins would whine again after the fight if he lost, which would leave a bad taste in the mouth, making it a less than ideal way for Calzaghe to end his career. I would love Calzaghe to have one more fight, but I'd still far rather it was against Dawson. But kudos to you for your posts, I really wish Hopkins had more fans like you.

WESSSat Mar 7, 2009, 2:09 PM UTC

Bernard Hopkins went on to beat America's latest sweetheart and undefeated champion in Kelly Pavlik thus proving he is still world class and worthy of his top 5 pound for pound status Would a terrible fighter really have beaten him, or even given him such a close fight? That's one example Sorry, but if you think Calzaghe is "terrible" you're an idiot, straight up Talk to Taylor. Nothing "great" only good yet he beat Hop.... arguably twice Talk to Tarver.... SHYT SHYT SHYT of a fighter yet ended Roy Jones career.... Some fighters just have other fighters numbers..... PBF had Hatton's.... I'll go out and say it. Pac has Hattons too...... not the point though.... Hop and Joe are in a good place to face each other. It would make a BIG impression on each others career, good or bad. Its good for the sport and better yet Joe's fans. If you're REALLY a fan of Joe Calzaghe you would be promoting the fight. If EVERYONE is so confident that Joe will win why not be for it. I mean if it DOES take place it'll be in WALES. I mean if I was a die hard joe fan I would be all game for it.... makes no sense to me why no one wants to see this... So what if Hop would lose worse than before. Calzaghe fans would get a fight in Wales and it would only do good for Joe's overall career.... Makes no cents to me. The money WILL be there. Hop knows he wont make shyt from this fight, Joe should/would get most of it. Grandpa Hops is only fighting for self pride at this point. This is the fight to see regardless of how "DIRTY" (most OVER used word for that fight) it would be. Its boxing and we have seen worse. So lets see Joe get his first L or lets see Joe stamp his career with a TRUE legend killer stat and truly end his career on a high note.....

Technical_SkillSat Mar 7, 2009, 1:49 PM UTC

styles make fights... pavlik just has the worst style to go up against hopkins Exactly, the posters who actually know about techniques and which style works against what, knew that, I said that way before the fight happened, bad bad, match up for pavlik and that the only chance he had was that hopkins didnt have the stamina. The guy has one loss, against a legend, at 170 pounds, yet people think he's garbage. He's not the greatest skilled fighter in the world, but he is very effective and sticks to the gameplan.

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