Diferrence in Calzaghe's comments on BHop compared to Kessler

Very true. Sadly, despite being a great Champion, Hopkins has no class whatsoever and was verbally attacking the British fighter from day one.

If someone shows him respect then he will return it in kind a la kessler, woodhall, mitchell etc, but if your going to bad mouth him he'll give it back like with lacy and hopkins. Its what most people do I really wouldn't look too much into it, pissing calzaghe off hasn't done any of his previous opponents any good it just seems to make him more focused.

Maybe it has something to do with Hopkins calling the British fighter a "white boy" and saying how he would never, ever lose to a White person. Such racism would anger me, because I happen to be White and my whole family is White. It could also be to do with the fact that whenever Hopkins has spoken about Calzaghe he has disrespected him badly, despite him having been a World Champion for well over a decade and having beaten the likes of Lacy, Reid, Eubank and Kessler along the way.

What kind of humourless boring twat would let someone trash talk them with nothing in return? Answer. A boxer with no personality and even less fans. I read nothing into this.

This is getting ridiculous. Nothing, I repeat nothing, that is said before a fight matters worth a shit once the first bell sounds. We are talking about professionals at the absolute pinnacle of their sport and suggesting that mental issues will detract from their physical performance. The only thing that will affect a fighter's mental state on fight night is the fight itself.

Joe is much more disrespectful of Bernard than he was of Kessler, in fact he was nothing but respectful to Kessler, even talking about his strengths before the fight. Where as now, Calzaghe seems to be insulting BHop at every opportunity. Maybe a sign of fear or nerves on Joes part? Obviously Bernard has been talking smack also but that was to be expected, I expected Joe to be the bigger man in this situation and concentrate on what he is doing not get involved in the insult slinging. Yes it builds hype but Bernard does enough talking to sell the fight on his own. obviously hopkins has gotten into calzaghe's head, but I don't know if it will be enough.

It was a romantic moment. It was the gayest weigh-in of all time. It made me think twice about watching the fight

Calzaghe looks like he has some fun with Bhops. He loves to insult him because than Bhop gets angry and is crying around like a child Exactly. This all has no bearing on the fight, but it's 'Nard who lacks self-control. He's immensely jealous of Calzaghe

He and Kessler pressed their balls against each other at the weigh-in It was a romantic moment.

Joe is much more disrespectful of Bernard than he was of Kessler, in fact he was nothing but respectful to Kessler, even talking about his strengths before the fight. Where as now, Calzaghe seems to be insulting BHop at every opportunity. Maybe a sign of fear or nerves on Joes part? Obviously Bernard has been talking smack also but that was to be expected, I expected Joe to be the bigger man in this situation and concentrate on what he is doing not get involved in the insult slinging. Yes it builds hype but Bernard does enough talking to sell the fight on his own. He and Kessler pressed their balls against each other at the weigh-in

I don't think Bernard has got to Joe, I agree with the other posters that this is a mixture of: a) dishing back what's dished to you; and, more importantly b) making a noise to sell the fight. Personally, I favour Joe, but I can appreciate what Bernard has done in fights, others have written off as boring. From a marketing point of view, you will have the boxing loyalists that will buy Pay for view pretty much no matter who was fighting, but these guys probably only take you to break even on receipts, its the 'impulse' buyers 'shall I, shan't I watch?' that all of the trash talk and marketing is for. The white boy thing was a blatant piece of marketing, along the same lines as the Tito fight. The only difference between those two examples was that as well as selling tickets, the flag incident got to Tito, the white boy jibe didn't get to Joe

That's true, Calzaghe has a playground bully means of getting under the skin of his opponents. He's not the best trash talker (his trash talk tends to consist of "Oh yeah so what are you then?") but he is irritating.

Calzaghe looks like he has some fun with Bhops. He loves to insult him because than Bhop gets angry and is crying around like a child

If your getting respectful comments your only going to say nice things back. If your getting rude, controversial disses, and ranting, your not going to be so respectful, as there's no reason to, he demonstrated he doesn't deserve it, and that it would be one way. Joe has complimented Bernard in a few interviews a few months back, but as Bernards stepped up the dis respect 60%, perhaps Joe has lesser about 30%. I think were seeing people still not quite understanding Calzaghe as a man or fighter. Watching just 5 interviews and fights of his it's clear to me he his ways. He's a calm, laid back, determined, tough guy, whom trains like a challenger. He revels in a big challenge and performs better. I just don't think people can quite believe he will perform if anything better, in his first fight in the US, against a legend with all the pressure, he rises to the call everytime, when will people realise. Hatton showed no fear but played a 1 dimensional fearless fight, which whilst brave lost him the fight. Woods remained calm with Tarver ranting on, making only the odd comment back, and just didn't show up on fight night. Joe is totally different. He literally has everything a fighter needs to go into this climate and win, mentally and pysically, nothing phases this athlete, if anything all the crap talking and doubters motivate him, ala Lacy.

The way I see it is Calzaghe gives respect to those who give him respect. Usually I find that if he's insulted first, he'll give it back as good as he gets. Kessler is a spot-on dude, totally down to earth and lacks a huge ego, it's almost impossible to talk shit about him. Joe ain't nervous, he isn't showing signs of nervousness. I think if he was he'd be much quieter. totally agreed, bhop takes the mental wafare to the next level, espically w/that "white person" or "white dude" thing he said. Although I see what hes trying to do I dont think race in boxing should be brought up by any fighter.

Calzaghe was nice about Kessler, but wasn't nice about Lacy. Lacy badmouthed him, Hopkins is badmouthing him. I think Calzaghe hates being underrated more than anything. True, but Joe wasn't half as insulting to Lacy. Interesting point, Mick. As a guy who dishes out what I get served I'll give Calzaghe the benefit of measuring how Kessler and Hopkins have treated him. Eye for an eye I figure. Reactionary assault. More than likely, I just think Calzaghe doesn't seem as composed as usual. Hope I'm wrong.

I think Calzaghe will do to much to make sure Hopkins was wrong in his comments about never losing to a white boy......That bugs Calzaghe I can tell. Calzaghe would never let that get to him. He's a showman he likes to be adored by his fans, and prove his doubters wrong...I think it gets to him when people question his ability or make him out to be underdog for the fight, a la Lacy (and just look what happened there, he goes out proves everybody REALLY wrong), but a childish comment like that wouldn't affect him in any way he has always been so focused come fight night. What Bernard doesn't seem to realise is Calz feeds off critiscm, he'll just be itching to get out there and prove his doubters wrong again. Bernard is in for a long night.

Interesting point, Mick. As a guy who dishes out what I get served I'll give Calzaghe the benefit of measuring how Kessler and Hopkins have treated him. Eye for an eye I figure. Reactionary assault.

If someone slags you off you have a go back at them. That's all Calzaghe's doing. Is he scared? I bloody hope he is. Every fighter should have that fear before any fight. It's when he doesn't that he struggles, as he himself admits.

Calzaghe was nice about Kessler, but wasn't nice about Lacy. Lacy badmouthed him, Hopkins is badmouthing him. I think Calzaghe hates being underrated more than anything.