Cocky Calzaghe Eyes The Executioner-2002 Article

Cocky Calzaghe eyes the Executioner WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe says he is in great shape for his 14 December showdown with Thomas Tate. But Calzaghe is already looking beyond that to a "superfight" with Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins. The Welshman is confident that the fight - scuppered earlier this year by Hopkins' purse demands - can be arranged for next summer at the Millennium Stadium. And Calzaghe is sure that he can dispose of the WBC, WBA and IBF Middleweight champion, rated by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. "I'll destroy him," said Calzaghe. "He's 37 now and his last good win was against Felix Trinidad 14 months ago. "He's said some pretty derogatory things about me, that I haven't beaten anybody and don't deserve to be in the same ring with him. "If that's the case why has he been avoiding me? I'll do a winner-takes-all - let's put our money together and go for that. Perhaps he knows it's likely to be his last fight. "I've been champion for five years and I want to fight the great fighters. I want to prove that I'm not just the best super middleweight in the world, but the best pound-for-pound." A bullish Calzaghe was adamant that the 14 December bill he shares with Ricky Hatton at the Telewest Arena, Newcastle, was really his show. "I like Ricky, he's a nice guy and a great fighter, but I'm the world champion on the night, he's my understudy," said the Newbridge brawler. Hatton will defend his WBU Light Welterweight title against Brazilian Antonio Mesquita. Calzaghe was in more respectful mood when discussing his opponent on the night, Thomas Tate. "Tate's a very experienced US fighter who's only been stopped once, by the great Roy Jones Jr." Calzaghe added. Like Charles Brewer, he's well known across the Atlantic but not in the UK. This fight is of the same standard as the Brewer match.'' "I'm in great form, punching hard, and I've got something to aim for - to follow Roy Jones and be the second man to knock this guy out.'' "I need to put on a big fight because 2003 is going to be my year." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/2522563.stm

Comments (20)

Im just wondering to all the people saying Hopkins destroy's Calzaghe. Why did he back out of the fight and want $6m to destroy the windmilling slapper? Seems strange to me. He also accepted the initial offer too. It is indeed strange. I guess we'll never know.

17y ago

CJMak

Im just wondering to all the people saying Hopkins destroy's Calzaghe. Why did he back out of the fight and want $6m to destroy the windmilling slapper? Seems strange to me. It would seem stange to anyone who isn't hanging off B-Hop's nuts.

17y ago

Dirk_Diggler_UK

Im just wondering to all the people saying Hopkins destroy's Calzaghe. Why did he back out of the fight and want $6m to destroy the windmilling slapper? Seems strange to me.

17y ago

mitch12

Hating on Joe Calzaghe? Nope, I just laugh at anyone saying it's a possiblity that prime v prime Calzaghe would knock him out. PLease. ATLEAST say he'd outpoint him. This is where blatant fanboyism comes into play, and I don't like that. Then apparently we're on the same page then, minus that laughable "possiblity". It's a possiblity that prime Hagler could get KO'd. It's a possibility that prime Ali could get KO'd. Get my drift? Hopkins has been hit clean by plenty of fellas and he wasn't even knocked down and most of the time he wasn't even hurt by it. How any version of Calzaghe is supposed to KO him even though he failed to hurt him even 1 single time in a full 12 round fight when Hopkins was 43 years old...That's the reason why i'm not buying this stuff. Discussing such near-impossible scenarios is a waste of time. However, what is a more likely possibility is that Hopkins KO'd Calzaghe, since he was able to knock him down and hurt him multiple times at the age of 43. Can you admit that one? where hell did i say hed knock bernard hopkins out i said hed do damage more than you think with power like he had back then not like now .

17y ago

hishaam15

IMO Hopkins UD

17y ago

S_A_M_U_R_A_I

Neither of them would knock the other man out. Bernard didn't come close to KOing Joe. I doubt he even hurt him with the flash knockdown. I agree though, no way does Calzaghe KO bernard at any point. Knockdown is very possible, but KO? Nope. 100% free webcam site! | Awesome chicks and it is absolutely free! | Watch free live sex cam - easy as 1-2-3

17y ago

BKM

well as your hating on a fighter yourself so you cant be a real fight fan for that Hating on Joe Calzaghe? Nope, I just laugh at anyone saying it's a possiblity that prime v prime Calzaghe would knock him out. PLease. ATLEAST say he'd outpoint him. This is where blatant fanboyism comes into play, and I don't like that. Do you actually read peoples post's before you rant on as to what people have apparently claimed. I for one just said to you it's unlikely Calzaghe would KO Hopkins, very much so infact. I accept that as would most. However what you can't seem to accept is the possibility. Calzaghe is also a style nitemare for Hopkins in many ways and given he could knock down and out many guys back in the day, IF he managed to land clean of course it'd be likely to KD, you can't ignore physics. Plus there's a smaller chance he could KO. Didn't say it's likely, Hopkins isn't He-man you know. Then apparently we're on the same page then, minus that laughable "possiblity". It's a possiblity that prime Hagler could get KO'd. It's a possibility that prime Ali could get KO'd. Get my drift? Hopkins has been hit clean by plenty of fellas and he wasn't even knocked down and most of the time he wasn't even hurt by it. How any version of Calzaghe is supposed to KO him even though he failed to hurt him even 1 single time in a full 12 round fight when Hopkins was 43 years old...That's the reason why i'm not buying this stuff. Discussing such near-impossible scenarios is a waste of time. However, what is a more likely possibility is that Hopkins KO'd Calzaghe, since he was able to knock him down and hurt him multiple times at the age of 43. Can you admit that one?

17y ago

mitch12

17y ago

Kris_Silver

Apparently a FOOKIN PRIME Calzaghe could do what Pavlik, Trinidad, Oscar, Taylor, Mercado, prime RJJ weren't even CLOSE to being able to do. Do you actually read peoples post's before you rant on as to what people have apparently claimed. I for one just said to you it's unlikely Calzaghe would KO Hopkins, very much so infact. I accept that as would most. However what you can't seem to accept is the possibility. Calzaghe is also a style nitemare for Hopkins in many ways and given he could knock down and out many guys back in the day, IF he managed to land clean of course it'd be likely to KD, you can't ignore physics. Plus there's a smaller chance he could KO. Didn't say it's likely, Hopkins isn't He-man you know.

17y ago

Allucard

Who's going to be in the Hall of Fame though? Neither of them.

17y ago

mitch12

thats the same slappy windmilling idiot that he is now. i like how the fans(morons) say he has hand problems yet he fights the same exact way as when he first won the damn title(wbo shit belt) oh ye and hopkins is so perfest apart from a rascist and a fighter who likes fighting smaller guys.

17y ago

BKM

so calzaghe hits harder than nigel benn now according to your logic. knocking down an off balance eubank who pulled straight back with his hands down means you have steel fists? mitchell and veit are both glass jaws and those are his best kos? how did he used to have power if he fights in the same windmill fashion against eubank as he did against hopkins? EXCUSES AND LIES Apparently a FOOKIN PRIME Calzaghe could do what Pavlik, Trinidad, Oscar, Taylor, Mercado, prime RJJ weren't even CLOSE to being able to do.

17y ago

S_A_M_U_R_A_I

so calzaghe hits harder than nigel benn now according to your logic. Take it from Chris, he stated very clearly that Calzaghe hit him harder than anyone else ever has done. Don't believe me? Go watch this documentary. No Average Joe LINK Password: pugilistspecial 100% free webcam site! | Awesome chicks and it is absolutely free! | Watch free live sex cam - easy as 1-2-3

17y ago

daggum

17y ago

BKM

Renown big hitter Nigel Benn couldn't knock down Chris Eubank in 24 rounds, Calzaghe managed it in one with his first punch. Eubank said "there's steel behind those fists". I'll take his word over yours. Calzaghe years ago had good hands and power with a high KO ratio. He knocked Mitchell down, Veit, and many others whom don't have soft chins. No ones saying it's likely of course. But if Calzaghe back then landed clean on Hopkins of course he could knock him down and possibly KO. If you can't recognise and accept such a simple thing then your clearly ignorant and stubborn. No, it means that I won't accept such unknowledgable suggestions. Hopkins could not be knocked out. It's almost not possible now he's approaching his mid 40s, it was impossible when he was in his prime. I have watched his entire career, as well as most of Calzaghe's, and many other big hitters that fought Hopkins and couldn't faze him. It's not just chin we're talking about here. I want to get that out of the way. DEFENSE, and KO-ing ABILITY. Hopkins' defense was superb, his chin was granite. You'd have to actually watch his fights to see what I mean, which I doubt any of these people have done. Calzaghe in any form is not the greatest KO machine, it just isn't logical to even think he could KO him at any timeframe. Only retarded Calzaghe fans think so. And most of those have barely seen any of Hopkins' fights. Hagler once upon a time was hurt maybe 3 times in his career. Hey lads! He was hurt, which means he could be KO'd! Fookin A RIGHT LADS!

17y ago

Kris_Silver

Very cute. How old are you, 8? I hope your parents know you're using nasty words on their computer. His punching technique has always been like windmills, although lately much worse. If you seriously think a little bit more power on Slapstick would have KO'd a PRIME Hopkins, then you should simply be ignored and be looked at as a troll. Renown big hitter Nigel Benn couldn't knock down Chris Eubank in 24 rounds, Calzaghe managed it in one with his first punch. Eubank said "there's steel behind those fists". I'll take his word over yours. Calzaghe years ago had good hands and power with a high KO ratio. He knocked Mitchell down, Veit, and many others whom don't have soft chins. No ones saying it's likely of course. But if Calzaghe back then landed clean on Hopkins of course he could knock him down and possibly KO. If you can't recognise and accept such a simple thing then your clearly ignorant and stubborn.

17y ago

BKM

calzaghe has always been better than hopkins. how is that nut hugging? calzaghe even beat him you retard. your the nuthugger if anyone. stfu ***. Very cute. How old are you, 8? I hope your parents know you're using nasty words on their computer. not really had calzaghe had decent power against hopkins like he did in the eubank fight he would won comfortably you fail to realise he has ****ed up hands and no power now why do you think his punches look like slaps these days. His punching technique has always been like windmills, although lately much worse. If you seriously think a little bit more power on Slapstick would have KO'd a PRIME Hopkins, then you should simply be ignored and be looked at as a troll.

17y ago

daggum

how would hopkins deal with this calzaghe then http://www.metacafe.com/watch/351124/joe_calzaghe_destroys_chris_eubank_in_a_stunning_boxing_match/ thats the same slappy windmilling idiot that he is now. i like how the fans(morons) say he has hand problems yet he fights the same exact way as when he first won the damn title(wbo shit belt)

17y ago

hookoutofhell

calzaghe has always been better than hopkins. how is that nut hugging? calzaghe even beat him you retard. your the nuthugger if anyone. stfu ***. hes not nuthugging hopkins he just doesn't want to give JC any credit. we'r not saying aknowledge that hes the best fighter ever just acknowledge that he has beat some very good fighters, he has unified his division, he has mae a record number of defences and thats hes a 2 weight liner champ. ________ Cuban Recipes

17y ago

mitch12

The same way he'd deal with him in any other timeframe. It's up to you to tell me what Calzaghe could do diffirently to beat him. I call it like I see it. I would say "TRUTH HURTS!" but that's too corny and played out now. You get my point, I hope. not really had calzaghe had decent power against hopkins like he did in the eubank fight he would won comfortably you fail to realise he has ****ed up hands and no power now why do you think his punches look like slaps these days.

17y ago