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Think about it. They both had very similar careers until Hopkins stepped up to the plate in the last five years. Both guys fought in very weak divisions with basically no big name fighters and hit their big 20 marks, but the difference is Hopkins at least beat Trinidad (3 division champion and #2 or 3 pound for pound in the world) and De La Hoya (6 division champion but not pound for pound at the time). Calzaghe fought Jeff Lacy (?).
So they both destroy their big name opponents Trinidad and Lacy only Hopkins' at least means something because Trinidad is recognized as one of the best in the world. Lacy...not so much.
In the U.S. and probably the rest of the world, Hopkins has been blasted througout his career for fighting nobodies, yet in Europe, Calzaghe gets a free pass, despite fighting absolutely NOBODY good. If I was Hopkins, I'd be furious and want to fight this guy too. Hopkins, more than anybody, knows you don't get respect by fighting nobodies your whole career. Look at B-Hop now, 41 or 42 years old and fighting top pound for pound guys and champions of their divisions left and right while Calzaghe continues to stay put in his pathetic weight class fighting no hopers. Kessler is a good fight to make, but it's not like anybody considers Kessler in the top 10 pound for pound. Sooner or later, Calzaghe has to fight somebody. Let's hope he signs Hopkins if he gets past Kessler.
So they both destroy their big name opponents Trinidad and Lacy only Hopkins' at least means something because Trinidad is recognized as one of the best in the world. Lacy...not so much.
In the U.S. and probably the rest of the world, Hopkins has been blasted througout his career for fighting nobodies, yet in Europe, Calzaghe gets a free pass, despite fighting absolutely NOBODY good. If I was Hopkins, I'd be furious and want to fight this guy too. Hopkins, more than anybody, knows you don't get respect by fighting nobodies your whole career. Look at B-Hop now, 41 or 42 years old and fighting top pound for pound guys and champions of their divisions left and right while Calzaghe continues to stay put in his pathetic weight class fighting no hopers. Kessler is a good fight to make, but it's not like anybody considers Kessler in the top 10 pound for pound. Sooner or later, Calzaghe has to fight somebody. Let's hope he signs Hopkins if he gets past Kessler.