Hopkins: "You Want Me Calzaghe, Come to America"

[The Final Word]

My only point is that before we start to point out that boxers like Calzaghe,Kessler and even Hatton (at one stage ) get stick for not fighting in the US, we should look at how many top Americans are prepared to travel themselves or just play it safe on home soil.

That would imply having a reason to travel to Europe to fight -- namely any great champions and the financial purse strings to make it worthwhile. Since Lewis, who is worth travelling to Britain to fight? Calzone hasn't even proven himself king of his own division yet. And recall that even Lewis came to the US to fight because the money is there and more worthwhile contenders as well. Lewis says it every time on HBO...if you want to prove you are great, go to America.

Great American boxers have about as much reason to go prove themselves in Asia as they do in Europe. Where do the best MMA fighters go to fight? Asia. Because its the mecca of MMA. Maybe if Hopkins entered a beer drinking contest he'd go to Europe.

[riza]

calzaghe has never said he wants hopkins to come over here, hes always said hes willing to go over there to fight him. warren also went over there to meet with his handlers but they didnt want nothin to do with calzaghe.
bernard is a smart guy i dont see him fighting joe.

[The Final Word]

Hopkins thinks Joe is a bum. And he's right, the guy is fighting Manfrodo. You would never in a million years see Hopkins stoop that low or be that desperate. For a guy with 20 defenses, Calzone sure gets treated like dirt by the boxing world.

[squealpiggy]

Calzone is 34 years old and already talking about retirement. Hm, sounds like he doesn't have the right stuff to be an all time great. I wonder if he really has brittle hands or he just keeps breaking his well-manicured nails.

Hey wait a minute, you are using Bernard Hopkins as an example of how Calzaghe should conduct himself as a champion. Maybe he's waiting for his 53rd fight to move up in weight, just like Hopkins did...

You guys do not seem to understand. The U.S. is the mecca of boxing, and Hopkins is the champ at 175 until he is beaten or officiall retires. He beat the man at that weight, and that's that. Joe would be seen as the challenger to Hopkins due to the difference in weight class, and Hopkins longer reigning status as an elite fighter.

Again: The U.S. is the mecca of boxing, whether anyone LIKES it or not. Fact is apart from emotion and perception. Hopkins had no impetus to travel anywhere because he already happened to live where the mecca of boxing exists: The U.S.

Take this as 'arrogant U.S. xenophobic banter' if you wish. It does not trouble me. I am not even a Hopkins fan.

I completely agree. I think it should be an ambition for British boxers to attempt to get the big headlining fights in Vegas and New York when they become champions. It is where the biggest fights are made and you'd be a fool not to admit it. On the other hand to then draw the conclusion that any fighter who doesn't spend the majority of their career fighting in the US is worthless is completely absurd, and while your post was great, some other posts have been lacking in any sort of point beyond "we hayte da eureos lol".

Step one is to win the world title. Step two is to defend it. Step three is to defend or unify as appropriate in the US. Hatton is a good example of how to approach it (for all the criticisms that have been levelled at him) by winning a title (off the man), unifying at home, going to the US to fight at a higher weight, going to Vegas to win another belt and now continuing in Vegas with a fight against a big name. Of course our friend "the final word" will find issue with Hatton fighting in the US because it isn't about things like logic or opinions, it's about automatically gainsaying the achievements of any non-American fighter.

That's what I take issue with.

[The Final Word]

Calzone having 53 fights? He says he's retiring. Guess that arthritis is just killing him at 34 years old.

Hatton is thrice the fighter Calzone wishes he could be. See, Hatton has courage, something Joe doesn't know the meaning of. I think Calzone should borrow that female British sailor's burka and start wearing it in the ring.

[deuce_drop]

I think Calzaghe should go to America for this fight it would be huge.But it may not happen anyway im not too sure Hopkins will get past Wright,its kind of funny how people seem to bring up Calzaghe fighting in the UK all the time but never seem to mention that Hopkins has never boxed outside of the US.

Thats americans for you!

little fact, Hopkins fought in Paris and in Ecuador, now he's only fought out of the states twice but stating that he's never fought outside the country is false. also there is no need for Hopkins at this point in his career to travel anywhere into someone else's turf and fight them on foreign soil, Hopkins is the one being challenged not the challenger.

but back to the same old argument, where to fight and why? well, until boxing's world wide stage is in England, we'll keep having the major fights here. this is my thing, everyone in the UK complains about their fighters coming here and this and that, but let the rest of the world tell you by just observing it, all fighters from all over the world want to and do come to USA to make and fight in the big fights. i don't see anyone from mexico, puerto rico, or the philippines or from central or south america or even canadian for that matter trying to break their hump getting over to the UK to make big money in fights or for exposure!?!? why because all that is in the USA and it 's going to be that way for a long time, sorry but that is fact. so let the rest of the world tell you without saying a word, just watch what fighters do and where they go and who they call out and where they want to fight, take a peek and they'll tell you loud and clear without saying nothing, because the States is the Big Stage and it's the place to be......................

[hugh grant]

I keep asking and I don't get an answer from you euros. I'm typing english here, I thought you guys invented the language? Again: name a single great fighter that Calzone defeated.

And if you think that Tarver, the former undisputed unified light heavyweight champion of the world, who basically destroyed Roy Jones to the husk he remains, is a weak opponent...no wonder nobody takes you euros seriously.

Wake me up when Calzone defeats any great fighter, unifies his division, stops padding his record with tv personalities, and wins a title at a higher weight class. Until then he's just another Welsh girl.

Joe would have taken the overrated Tarver out.

Legends don't travel to fight challengers. Calzone wants to be a legend, he needs to accomplish something great. It seems Calzone only cares about being a local champion, not a world champion.

Be grateful Hopkins is even considering inviting the Welsh girl over when Calzone has never accomplished anything great in his entire career.

If legends dont travel to fight challengers why is Joe travelling to America to fight Hopkins? Shouldnt Hopkins be travelling to Wales to fight?

Hopkins thinks Joe is a bum. And he's right, the guy is fighting Manfrodo. You would never in a million years see Hopkins stoop that low or be that desperate. For a guy with 20 defenses, Calzone sure gets treated like dirt by the boxing world.

No Joe is only getting treated like dirt by unimportant haters like yourself. PBF gets treated like dirt from the boxing world and haters as well, and so do Hopkins haters. That is unfortunately how the world works nowaday. Its everyman for himself.
Im not a hopkins hater btw.

[number6]

little fact, Hopkins fought in Paris and in Ecuador, now he's only fought out of the states twice but stating that he's never fought outside the country is false. also there is no need for Hopkins at this point in his career to travel anywhere into someone else's turf and fight them on foreign soil, Hopkins is the one being challenged not the challenger.

I didnt know this.

but back to the same old argument, where to fight and why? well, until boxing's world wide stage is in England, we'll keep having the major fights here. this is my thing, everyone in the UK complains about their fighters coming here and this and that, but let the rest of the world tell you by just observing it, all fighters from all over the world want to and do come to USA to make and fight in the big fights. i don't see anyone from mexico, puerto rico, or the philippines or from central or south america or even canadian for that matter trying to break their hump getting over to the UK to make big money in fights or for exposure!?!? why because all that is in the USA and it 's going to be that way for a long time, sorry but that is fact. so let the rest of the world tell you without saying a word, just watch what fighters do and where they go and who they call out and where they want to fight, take a peek and they'll tell you loud and clear without saying nothing, because the States is the Big Stage and it's the place to be......................

The states is the place to be for the biggest fights no doubt about that,but if Winky Wright slated Calzaghe for not fighting away i would think its a fair comment,as he has fought all over the place.Pbf has made comments about Hatton in the past on a similar note.
Any boxing fan can see where the big money is at,at most weights anyway.But maybe Fighters who dont travel shouldnt comment on the issue.

[Franko]

Dat WOP from England is a bum. He cant handle a legend like Hopkins. Hopkins is a whole different story than Jeff Lacy.

Don't be daft! Calzaghe is far from a bum, he would out work Hopkins and win by UD.

[The Noose]

All of a sudden time seems to be running out for Calzaghe.
The win over Lacy was a mixed blessing. It opened people eys to him, yet also brought alot of criticism of his unbeaten record.

He should have gone to America a long time ago really.
Better late than never. Its not like he is over the hill.