Another calzaghe thread...

Sorry if its been done already or if this is old news but I found this article on the bbc. Joe Calzaghe feels he will have the support of fight fans across the globe in his 19 April light-heavyweight bout with Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas. "Hopkins is good at making people look bad but he won't do that to me," said Wales' Calzaghe, 36. "That's why he's not a fighter who is very well loved. "There were people in his own country booing him when we were in Vegas for Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather." Experienced Joe Cortez will referee the clash at the Thomas & Mack Center. Calzaghe was delighted with the news, despite the fact that Cortez was heavily criticised by Hatton fans for his handling of the Hatton fight. "I don't do holding and mauling and Joe Cortez is well aware of that," said the undefeated Newbridge man. "He's an experienced referee and he'll enjoy a quiet night because all he will have to do is count to 10 and save Hopkins." Philadelphian Hopkins, 43, has built the intensity of the contest with his vow "never to lose to a white boy" and his warning that Calzaghe had "better be ready to die". The man known as "The Executioner" reigned as middleweight champion for 10 years and holds a record of 48 wins (32 KOs), four defeats and one draw. Hopkins will do everything he can to knock me out of my rhythm because he knows I'm stronger, faster and fitter than him Joe Calzaghe But that does not impress Calzaghe, who has won all his 44 fights (32 KOs) and is into his 11th year as world super-middleweight champion. "I respect him but Hopkins is not as good as he thinks he is," said Calzaghe, who will be making his first appearance as a light-heavyweight. "He had a good run as champion but he hasn't reigned for as long as me nor beaten the quality of opponents I've beaten. "Hopkins has hardly ever been in any exciting fights and he's very negative. "He'll do everything he can to knock me out of my rhythm because he knows I'm stronger, faster and fitter than him."

Comments (6)

Hopkins has just goes to show that anybody will back a winner. I mean whose the closest Brit equivalent Johnny Nelson?.....lol. Even his Mum wouldn't watch him.

18y ago

hardmanbrit

Joe Calzaghe feels he will have the support of fight fans across the globe in his 19 April light-heavyweight bout with Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas. "Hopkins is good at making people look bad but he won't do that to me," said Wales' Calzaghe, 36. "That's why he's not a fighter who is very well loved. "There were people in his own country booing him when we were in Vegas for Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather." To be fair, they were English Hatton fans who were out in Vegas. However, everything else he said there is absolutely spot on. Let's hope Joe shows Bernard Hopkins just what a "white boy" can do.

18y ago

karlobarlo

Hopkins biggest wins were over smaller guys who moved up several weight classes (Winky, De La Hoya, Tito) and the top names he's faced that are his size (Jones, Taylor) he lost to. Eubank, Lacy and Kessler are indeed better wins at SMW than Tito and DLH were at MW, and Winky at a catch weight 25 pounds over his natural weight. Tito, DLH and Winky are great fighters at their natural weight, but have been proven to to mediocre at MW. There's no doubt about it. Agree totally with Calzaghe. Hopkins record of opponents is actually quite poor. Im glad somebody has finally come out and pointed this out. He is a spoiler, cagey fighter. But I dont think he is nearly as good as he thinks he is. Que all the Hopkins nuthuggers. And by the way it is well documented now that it was the rpime Hopkins who was not interested in fighting Calzaghe. That cant be disputed anymore.

18y ago

Johnny_Rebel

is it April Fool's Day already??? Hopkins biggest wins were over smaller guys who moved up several weight classes (Winky, De La Hoya, Tito) and the top names he's faced that are his size (Jones, Taylor) he lost to. Eubank, Lacy and Kessler are indeed better wins at SMW than Tito and DLH were at MW, and Winky at a catch weight 25 pounds over his natural weight. Tito, DLH and Winky are great fighters at their natural weight, but have been proven to to mediocre at MW.

18y ago

Alonzo_Harris

Calzaghe is supported by all aussies mate. Thats good to know. I agree with most the points that calzaghe makes as well. I'm sure he will beat bernard hopkins.

18y ago

raysan

"He had a good run as champion but he hasn't reigned for as long as me nor beaten the quality of opponents I've beaten."--Joe Calzaghe is it April Fool's Day already???

18y ago