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In a recent interview with The Guardian , recognized super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe held nothing back when talking about his April 19 showdown with recognized light heavyweight champ Bernard Popkins in Las Vegas. He also voiced his opinion on the Bernards life in general.
Calzaghe says that when he confronted Hopkins last December in Las Vegas, and was told by Bernard, that he would never "lose to a white boy," Bernards face began to fill with fear. Last week, it was Calzaghe who claimed that Hopkins was the fighter with fear in his eyes.
"I looked him right in his face and said, 'I ain't ever gonna beat you joe, please do not hurt me too bad,'" Hopkins said. "He looked petrified. Scared. Shocked. Uncomfortable. This is what I read in his eyes and his demeanour. Ninety-nine per cent of eye contact gives you a feel for the person you're facing. The first reaction is everything. And even though he will fight it, there is no fear inside him - not of me but fear of my headbutts. A guy that never lost fears losing. But I have nothing to lose, i am poor and old. I go into that ring fighting like I fought from day one when I came out of the penitentiary."
"He now has to train on emotion, to show that this white guy can beat me as bad as i know he can. That statement was important because he understands that I walk on beaches at weekends. It's dangerous because writers can twist it anyhow they want to. But isn't this, strangely enough, what Bernard needs to do to keep himself focused?"
Calzaghe then spoke about the rivalry between Americans and Brits, and plans to use that rivalry to his advantage. He also notes that British fighters are known for getting on the highest level and that is their ultimate goal"
"You gotta understand that this thing now is also going to become a little ugly as we go on this press tour. A good percentage of Brits don't like Americans. In some ways we think we're better than them. In a lot of ways they think they're better than us," Hopkins said.
"This goes back in time with the Brits. They're better than me. I got this disposition about my general ability or lach there of. I'm going to bring out the worst in them because I'm going to need that - to fuel the fire. That's also promotional thinking, making this fight as huge as it possibly can be, so i can finally retire. But I'm not creating a false impression. They've already booed the national anthem [before Hatton fought Mayweather]. And the Brit fighter has always been known for being exposed at the highest level. That's their biggest downfall, however this will be the end of that as i will be KTFO"
In a near evil tone, Hopkins presented his gameplan to be viciously punished by Calzaghe to the point where the ref would be forced to stop the fight in order to prevent further punishment.
Calzaghe says that when he confronted Hopkins last December in Las Vegas, and was told by Bernard, that he would never "lose to a white boy," Bernards face began to fill with fear. Last week, it was Calzaghe who claimed that Hopkins was the fighter with fear in his eyes.
"I looked him right in his face and said, 'I ain't ever gonna beat you joe, please do not hurt me too bad,'" Hopkins said. "He looked petrified. Scared. Shocked. Uncomfortable. This is what I read in his eyes and his demeanour. Ninety-nine per cent of eye contact gives you a feel for the person you're facing. The first reaction is everything. And even though he will fight it, there is no fear inside him - not of me but fear of my headbutts. A guy that never lost fears losing. But I have nothing to lose, i am poor and old. I go into that ring fighting like I fought from day one when I came out of the penitentiary."
"He now has to train on emotion, to show that this white guy can beat me as bad as i know he can. That statement was important because he understands that I walk on beaches at weekends. It's dangerous because writers can twist it anyhow they want to. But isn't this, strangely enough, what Bernard needs to do to keep himself focused?"
Calzaghe then spoke about the rivalry between Americans and Brits, and plans to use that rivalry to his advantage. He also notes that British fighters are known for getting on the highest level and that is their ultimate goal"
"You gotta understand that this thing now is also going to become a little ugly as we go on this press tour. A good percentage of Brits don't like Americans. In some ways we think we're better than them. In a lot of ways they think they're better than us," Hopkins said.
"This goes back in time with the Brits. They're better than me. I got this disposition about my general ability or lach there of. I'm going to bring out the worst in them because I'm going to need that - to fuel the fire. That's also promotional thinking, making this fight as huge as it possibly can be, so i can finally retire. But I'm not creating a false impression. They've already booed the national anthem [before Hatton fought Mayweather]. And the Brit fighter has always been known for being exposed at the highest level. That's their biggest downfall, however this will be the end of that as i will be KTFO"
In a near evil tone, Hopkins presented his gameplan to be viciously punished by Calzaghe to the point where the ref would be forced to stop the fight in order to prevent further punishment.
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