Hopkins vs. Calzaghe Close To Being Final

[Benny Leonard]

Americans do in the main prefer to fight eachother, then American fans ***** about European fighters 'weak' resumes.

I'm surprised this fight is happening.

"Americans" tend to like whoever is fighting in America. They don't want to leave because of fear they may never get back in.

Winky went to Europe and was never seen again for a long time...it took him a bit to get back in. He said he was always hoping and waiting to get the opportunity to fight back in the States, the big $tage.

If you want to do Movies, you stay in the States, you don't go over to Europe, even though I do like foreign films, but that is not the point, the big $tage, and that is key, $tage, is in America, still.

Will it change, maybe. I like the way Germany was setting things up for Wlad and like when he fights there. I also like watching Calzaghe fight last time out. Great atmosphere.

I would prefer fighters tour the world, many fighters in the black/white era, even Ali did.

America has mainly been where the best competition is held because of the number and quality of fighters it produced, the crazy public who loved fights and were willing to spend $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

There is a rea$on why foreign fighters want to fight here,
the BIG $tage.

[seantrader2001]

Foolish!!!

Whomever said that Calzaghe is better than Roy Jones in his prime is totally foolish... I think Joe is an excellent fighter but when Roy was at his peak it was a marvel of speed and power in multiple weight divisions... People forget just how special he was... Let's not get crazy!!

[sparked_85]

"Americans" tend to like whoever is fighting in America. They don't want to leave because of fear they may never get back in.

Winky went to Europe and was never seen again for a long time...it took him a bit to get back in. He said he was always hoping and waiting to get the opportunity to fight back in the States, the big $tage.

If you want to do Movies, you stay in the States, you don't go over to Europe, even though I do like foreign films, but that is not the point, the big $tage, and that is key, $tage, is in America, still.

Will it change, maybe. I like the way Germany was setting things up for Wlad and like when he fights there. I also like watching Calzaghe fight last time out. Great atmosphere.

I would prefer fighters tour the world, many fighters in the black/white era, even Ali did.

America has mainly been where the best competition is held because of the number and quality of fighters it produced, the crazy public who loved fights and were willing to spend $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

yeah all this is true. It's sad though. Things are changing though there is definetely enough money in Britain and Germany to interest Americans these days.

Basically to get the biggest fights with the top Americans with the huge reputations you need to become unavoidable. I think Joe is pretty unavoidable now, but it took him far to long to get to this point. Him and Frank should have just paid through the arse to beat up Ottke and Beyer years ago. Then Hopkins et al would have been interested in him sooner.

[Benny Leonard]

Whomever said that Calzaghe is better than Roy Jones in his prime is totally foolish... I think Joe is an excellent fighter but when Roy was at his peak it was a marvel of speed and power in multiple weight divisions... People forget just how special he was... Let's not get crazy!!

What speed, what power, what reflexes, what talent, I dont' see it

[Brother Blues]

The only thing I will say about this fight is...I will not pay to watch it,five years ago I would have.

Hopkins is 42,2-2 in his last two fights...why would I pay to watch that?

Calzaghe in a boring UD....

[JJay]

RJJ was outstanding...but when i watch him back in the day...doing his ****...i cnt help but think of the drugs thingie..it tarnishes everything...but even so..he was something else.
I do think Joe C would have given him a good fight...RJJ when he gets hit..he's ****ed....but in his prime..he was so quick with his flurries,and his movement..it was rare for him to get hit...but if Joe C hadnt ruined his hands...i think he has the KO power,and speed to give RJJ a good fight...not saying he would 100% win..but he would make it an interesting fight...prime for prime...would have been a fight id pay thousands to see...sadly for me....and luckily for my girl.....that aint eva gna happen

[Benny Leonard]

yeah all this is true. It's sad though. Things are changing though there is definetely enough money in Britain and Germany to interest Americans these days.

Basically to get the biggest fights with the top Americans with the huge reputations you need to become unavoidable. I think Joe is pretty unavoidable now, but it took him far to long to get to this point. Him and Frank should have just paid through the arse to beat up Ottke and Beyer years ago. Then Hopkins et al would have been interested in him sooner.

I'm all for a World Stage, it's time, it's better.

Joe should have made a move to the States a long time ago. Frank likes to protect his product to much and doesn't like heavy risk. Joe should have turned around and told Frank, "I'm leaving for the States."
Two problems I can see why Joe didn't do it: (1) Frank wasn't to bad, he was getting him paid. (2) Roy was a division above and was still in his freakish prime. To much risk, but still, why not if you think you can do it.

I still would have liked Hopkins to have moved up and fought Joe after he beat Oscar, just like I would have liked Joe to have moved up years ago to fight a prime Roy, but that is business, that's boxing.

I'm not sure what Frank offered Hopkins compared to what he was getting sticking at 160.

I cannot remember what he made for Taylor I and II either...or Winky.

Either way, Joe would have been fighting a past prime Hopkins anyway so he would take heat, like he will now.


I understand both wanted to make money, both wanted to cement their legacy in their division, but "what could have been", right?

[sparked_85]

I'm all for a World Stage, it's time, it's better.

Joe should have made a move to the States a long time ago. Frank likes to protect his product to much and doesn't like heavy risk. Joe should have turned around and told Frank, "I'm leaving for the States."
Two problems I can see why Joe didn't do it: (1) Frank wasn't to bad, he was getting him paid. (2) Roy was a division above and was still in his freakish prime. To much risk, but still, why not if you think you can do it.

I still would have liked Hopkins to have moved up and fought Joe after he beat Oscar, just like I would have liked Joe to have moved up years ago to fight a prime Roy, but that is business, that's boxing.

I'm not sure what Frank offered Hopkins compared to what he was getting sticking at 160.

I cannot remember what he made for Taylor I and II either...or Winky.

Either way, Joe would have been fighting a past prime Hopkins anyway so he would take heat, like he will now.


I understand both wanted to make money, both wanted to cement their legacy in their division, but "what could have been", right?

Joe does say in his book he would have wanted to fight RJJ and just said it would have been great. He doesn't say he'd win either which is rare for Joe. A loss to that version of RJJ really wouldn't be that damaging.

Joe is 100% confident he beats Hopkins he also says it in his book (which is a bit ****e,lol) and he beats Winky because he is far too big for him.

[Benny Leonard]

Joe does say in his book he would have wanted to fight RJJ and just said it would have been great. He doesn't say he'd win either which is rare for Joe. A loss to that version of RJJ really wouldn't be that damaging.

Joe is 100% confident he beats Hopkins he also says it in his book (which is a bit ****e,lol) and he beats Winky because he is far too big for him.

Maybe he just regrets not taking the initiative in making the fight happen. If he were American, he would have fought him, but since he is in Wales, it takes a huge effort to make a ripple in the pond. It’s a hard move to make and I doubt Frank was going to push him.

If he loses, no big deal, he just lost to the P4P best fighter at the time, similar to Hatton's loss to Mayweather, not that big of a deal.

I doubt fighters were saying, "My career is over, I just lost to a man that calls himself Sugar Ray Robinson"

Fighters lose, it's part of the game.

[RichCCFC]

Roy looks more impressive against lesser fighters than Calzaghe does but when it comes to the big stage Calzaghe is ****ing brilliant.In his 3 biggest fights Eubank,Lacy and Kessler he totally dominated, I can see the same happening when he fights Hopkins too.