Schaefer: "Hopkins Doesn't Need Joe Calzaghe"

[majestiC]

you can't compare joe the slapper's record to hopkins joe has had hand picked fights from day one point the finger to wank warren joe is his only money maker and wont through him in with some good Kessler his first real fight in 7 years as champ

Hopkins has had just as many hand picked opponents, i mean Hakkar, Daniels, Holmes, Vanderpool, Brown, Counci..... Hopkins did the biggest duck ever known on Joe aswell.

[col Blake]

not saying Hopkins has'nt ducked anyone of course he has most champs do, but he has a much better rec than joe,joe fought, Starrie, Woodhall, Reid, why not a much improved Woods or Froch he thinks hopkins is to old and ready for a taking, much the same way Hamed tried to get Azuma Nelson out to fight

[THe TRiNiTY]

Hopkins has had just as many hand picked opponents, i mean Hakkar, Daniels, Holmes, Vanderpool, Brown, Counci..... Hopkins did the biggest duck ever known on Joe aswell.

Right.. the biggest duck, ever known..............

[FUMIN 88]

beating a blown up De La Hoya counts for nothing, sorry but it was crazy seeing Oscar that high when hes been as low as 130lbs. Trinidad moved up in weights to, I give him props for beating Tarver that was a shocker at the time. Winky doesn't even look close to being natural at 170lbs. Kessler is a natural 168lbs with a 39-0 record, holds two belts it would match any of those put in context.

agree 100%

[majestiC]

the Woods fight was going to be made, don't know why it didn't come about im pretty sure it can be made because joe wants to be a 2 weight world champ, as for Froch he hasn't beaten anyone yet, hes good but also a big mouth, hes a bit to open for me but can be awkard and could do very well vs Calzaghe. I don't think the fight between Hopkins & Calzaghe will be made, i'd prefer to see Joe vs Chad, but i doubt. Im not the biggest fan of Calzaghe's matchmaking either mate, im just saying Hopkins defenses were about on the same level, i give him props for beating Felix, Oscar & Wright but they wern't at there natural weight but Tarver was a fantastic win even if Tarver isn't looking the same fighter recently.

[majestiC]

Right.. the biggest duck, ever known..............

What so when the fight is 99.9% done, been arranged, agreed everything. Even Showtime thought it was done, then Hopkins asks for double money?

[majestiC]

Hopkins' promoter Don King and Calzaghe's backer Frank Warren reached agreement for a fight last year, and the US television station Showtime was prepared to underwrite the event. But after a $3m (£1.8m) payday had been agreed, the fight fell through when Hopkins doubled his purse demands.

Joe Calzaghe, the World Boxing Organisation super-middleweight champion, is prepared to travel to the United States to face the world's No1 middleweight Bernard Hopkins in what is seen as a career-defining fight for the undefeated Welshman

"This is the fight I have wanted above all others for the last few years," he said, "and it is the one the boxing world wants."

"I have no problems taking the fight on his territory," said the 31-year-old Calzaghe. "My message to him is: 'You want it, you got it.' He can have it anywhere and any time."

Calzaghe underlined his determination to get the fight, laying down a challenge to Hopkins. "Don't find an excuse to let our fight slip away," he said. "I have taken up your challenge to face you in America, so honour your words."

its a shame this didn't happen when it did would have been a great fight back then.

[THe TRiNiTY]

What so when the fight is 99.9% done, been arranged, agreed everything. Even Showtime thought it was done, then Hopkins asks for double money?

And you think in boxings long, illustrious history... that that is the biggest duck, ever known? First and foremost, Hopkins would have made the fight if he had gotten the money he deserved at that time. At that time, he was p4p king, and Calzaghe had yet to prove, virtually, anything. He deservd more money. Was it out of fear? I HONESTLY doubt that as the man shared a prison cell with a convicted murderer. Kind of hard to fear a guy who doesn't punch that hard when you have that thought lingering over your head. But.. for your arguments sake... Let's say he DID in fact duck him. That's the biggest duck in history??

[dumdane]

He took richie woodhalls confidence away when richie lost his undefeated record. And Calzaghe gave richie home-court advantage I believe.

Ehhh?

We're talkin the same Richie Woodhall who'd already lost to Marcus Beyer when he fought Calzaghe, right?

There maybe similarities in style between Woodhall and Kessler - but there the comparisons stop. Kessler might do the same kinda things - but he takes it to a completely different level.
Call Kessler robotic all you want. I prefer words such as meticulous, calculating, persistent and controlling.
Not saying Kessler can easily control Calzaghe like he's controlled his other opponents. But i fail to see how having such sound fundamentals that he's not ever NEEDED to show anything else is a bad thing for Kessler. Be very carefull drawing the conclution he's unable to adabt his style.
In fact just the most recent fight against Andrade, Kessler surpriced a hell of a lot of ppl who'd made up their minds that Kessler could only move back in straight lines - based on them never having seem him pressured. I'm well aware Andrade is in no way compareable to Calzaghe. But point is i think ppl are making too manny assumptions about Kessler being a one-trick pony

If you really think Kessler is "just another.." in a long line of pretty much equally capable (or less than capable) opponents i can understand your faith in Calzaghe. But you COULD also be in for a major shock.

I do not pretend this is an easy fight for Kessler (I have him a slight fave - but no more than that)
But those thinking this is gonna be an EASY win for Calzaghe are in my oppinion seriously deluded.

[supremelygifted]

If Calzaghe is fortunate enough to get past a fighter of the caliber of Kessler, it will be as big or bigger an accomplishment as any, in that of Hopkins' career. As American fight fans we are quick to respond to challengers overseas by stating "here is where the money is". In this case it's not where the money is, and anyone who has been paying attention knows it. Filling up a stadium to fight Peter Manfredo proved this point.
Why should Calzaghe have to come here. Hopkins lost twice to the Middleweight champ in Taylor, does anyone out there at this moment think this constitutes calling out the unbeaten super middle champ,and claiming he has to fight on your soil. Cong**** to B-Hop for beaing both Tarver and Wright, both solid fighters, but intelligently picked. Infact all of his major fights with the exception of Taylor( whom he had to fight) were intelligently picked, see De la Hoya/Trinadad. If Calzaghe defeats Kessler the ball is in his corner, and Schaefer and Golden Boy are more than aware of this fact. With this being said. Hopkins is a legend in the sport, but if he still wants to be considered relevant he needs to take this challenge and travel to Calzaghe's homeland.

I agree. If the are fighting for Calzaghe's belt it should be wherever the champ wants. I've stated several times thats the way it should be. I disagree that beating Calzaghe would have any affect on Hopkins legacy. Hopkins should fight Calzaghe in Wales only because that's where the CHAMP wants it.