Hopkins will beat Calzaghe

[ßringer]

I'm warning you guys, don't bet anything you're not comfortable losing on Calzaghe. The guy is a good fighter, but he's also part hype job. He has no power whatsoever, no defense whatsoever, and makes up for those flaws by swarming with activity. Hopkins is too smart to be swarmed by activity, mark my words.

[GearsOfWar]

I'm warning you guys, don't bet anything you're not comfortable losing on Calzaghe. The guy is a good fighter, but he's also part hype job. He has no power whatsoever, no defense whatsoever, and makes up for those flaws by swarming with activity. Hopkins is too smart to be swarmed by activity, mark my words.

Is hopkins power come from hanging on his opponents for all 12 rounds, clinching all 12 rounds and barely throwing a punch? And using his head as a weapon.

Hopkins is trash now, he should retire. He gets tired when he throws like 5 punches, and then he clinches.

[ßringer]

Hopkins throws one punch at a time, has deteriorating reflexes, and a swarming boxer is the worst matchup for a slower counter-puncher.

Will I just be the one laughing at everyone when Calzaghe beats him handily? I like Hops, but come on, stop acting like he's still anywhere near his prime because of how he does against a much smaller fighter who throws one punch.

He's not near his prime, we all know that. But even at 42 the guy is the most cagey, elusive, slick counterpuncher/defensive guru in the sport next to Mayweather. People said 'Nard would have a tough time landing on Wright, but yet he was able to do so against the "defensive genius" all night long. Calzaghe's defense is wide open.

Calzaghe gets beaten on the outside all night long. He's never faced an elite fighter, he's never even faced an A class guy IMO. His title defense opponets were total ****. Hopkins' wasn't great either but his level of competition blows Calzaghe's out of the ****ing water.

Joe can throw all he wants, he's just not going to land.

What will you guys say when a 42 year old, past his prime, former Middleweight, beats Calzaghe quite easily? Certainly I hope Bernard gets the credit and Joe doesn't turn into a "bum" overnight like Hatton did.

[ßringer]

Is hopkins power come from hanging on his opponents for all 12 rounds, clinching all 12 rounds and barely throwing a punch? And using his head as a weapon.

Hopkins is trash now, he should retire. He gets tired when he throws like 5 punches, and then he clinches.

He fights a smart fight. He's a 42 year old man for Christ's sake. It takes balls to still be fighting at that age. He can't fight Joe's fight, I'll admit that. He's too old, so he picks his spots and the spots he picks always land.

As for his power.....Well, he moved up 15lbs in weight at the age of 41 and knocked down a natural Light Heavyweight with a single counter right hand....I'm not saying he'll KD Calzaghe, because I don't think he can. But he certainly has more power that Calzaghe ever did.

And when it comes fight night, Bernard will be 6'1" 190lbs. Calzaghe won't be used to 175lbs, let alone whatever water weight he packs on the night before the fight. He'll look like the older man, not Bernard.

[Sweet Pete]

He's not near his prime, we all know that. But even at 42 the guy is the most cagey, elusive, slick counterpuncher/defensive guru in the sport next to Mayweather. People said 'Nard would have a tough time landing on Wright, but yet he was able to do so against the "defensive genius" all night long. Calzaghe's defense is wide open.

Calzaghe gets beaten on the outside all night long. He's never faced an elite fighter, he's never even faced an A class guy IMO. His title defense opponets were total ****. Hopkins' wasn't great either but his level of competition blows Calzaghe's out of the ****ing water.

Joe can throw all he wants, he's just not going to land.

What will you guys say when a 42 year old, past his prime, former Middleweight, beats Calzaghe quite easily? Certainly I hope Bernard gets the credit and Joe doesn't turn into a "bum" overnight like Hatton did.

I will not say anything because it won't happen. Joe wants the fight, let Hopkins sign the contract.

I have full confidence in Joe, so much so that I really am anxious for this fight to happen over any other for Joe to prove himself.

When does Joe get beaten on the outside all night long? Which fights? Or are you saying Hopkins will do that by throwing one punch at a time?

[ßringer]

I will not say anything because it won't happen. Joe wants the fight, let Hopkins sign the contract.

I have full confidence in Joe, so much so that I really am anxious for this fight to happen over any other for Joe to prove himself.

When does Joe get beaten on the outside all night long? Which fights? Or are you saying Hopkins will do that by throwing one punch at a time?

I'm saying Hopkins will by dictating the pace. Joe's momentum will be sapped everytime he gets off, kind of like Hatton. (That's not a direct comparison, I mean 'Nard will catch him coming in with the straight right hand and then tie him up.)

On a side note, I really like debating you dude. It's clear you're passionate about Calzaghe and confident in your man, as I am about Hopkins. It awesome to have a reasonable, fact based debate without resorting to childish incults like so many around here do.

[Sweet Pete]

I'm saying Hopkins will by dictating the pace. Joe's momentum will be sapped everytime he gets off, kind of like Hatton. (That's not a direct comparison, I mean 'Nard will catch him coming in with the straight right hand and then tie him up.)

On a side note, I really like debating you dude. It's clear you're passionate about Calzaghe and confident in your man, as I am about Hopkins. It awesome to have a reasonable, fact based debate without resorting to childish incults like so many around here do.

Thing is, Calzaghe is not neccessarily my man, just someone I strongly believe in in this particular matchup. Again, a prime Hopkins may be a different story, but this matchup at this stage just seems like all the wrong ingredients for Hop, and I consider myself an analyst of matchups above all else.

As said though, if Hopkins wins, he will skyrocket in my books. And I agree with you, it is always best to have a reasonable debate, as too few are capable of.

[ßringer]

Thing is, Calzaghe is not neccessarily my man, just someone I strongly believe in in this particular matchup. Again, a prime Hopkins may be a different story, but this matchup at this stage just seems like all the wrong ingredients for Hop, and I consider myself an analyst of matchups above all else.

As said though, if Hopkins wins, he will skyrocket in my books. And I agree with you, it is always best to have a reasonable debate, as too few are capable of.

Don't get me wrong, I think it may be a little late for Hops to pull it off as well, but I support my favorites even when the odds are stacked. Smart money is on Calzaghe for sure in this one. But Hopkins has always performed best when his back was against a wall.

[RisAri0]

I whole heartedly agree with The_Bringer...Hopkins is a con artist in that ring, he'll have Calzaghe fall for every trick in the book..and I question Joe's defense a little bit...B-Hop has a boxing brain similar to Floyd's, both of their IQ in that ring is unmatched...Hopkins sees too many advantages in a southpaw Joe...footwork will be the key to B-hop's win (most of em' are)...

[El Dominicano]

Don't get me wrong, I was impressed with Joe's performance last night and he certainly silenced some of his harshest critics. But I've seen the fight twice now and I just don't see what HBO wanted me to see, a "special" fighter in Calzaghe.

In Calzaghe, what I see is a guy who throws a lot of weak punches, goes backwards against offense, and leaves himself wide open when trading shots. Granted he's a great fighter and an accomplished Champion, but I think Hopkins will **** him up, badly at that.

Most people here would probably disagree with that statement, but those are the same people who've been waiting for Hopkins to retire for years. With his unorthodox style, Hopkins makes very active opponets inactive by using bait tactics. With his roughhouse inside fighting, Calzaghe won't be throwing nearly as much against a guy like Hopkins.

I see Hopkins fighting a very brilliant/dirty affair that will probably be one of so ugly it'd make Hopkins/Wright look like a masterful performance.

Still I think Hopkins will beat Calzaghe and beat him badly at that.

I would love to believe this. I just don't think B-Hop(Right Now) Can do enough to beat Calzaghe. Still I am willing to bet all my points that B-Hop wins a U.D