Why Hopkins Will Beat Calzaghe!

[Mr. Philadel]

Written right after Calzaghe-Kessler

Why Hopkins Will Beat Calzaghe

Written by Eric Allen Posted on 11/4/2007 7:18:52 AM Let me start off by saying that Joe Calzaghe is an impressive fighter, with skills that could rival any boxer that I have seen in my lifetime. Joe deserves all the recognition from what I thought was a tough and impressive fight Saturday night. Mikkel Kessler shattered the European cowardice stereotype, as he showed a lot of heart despite knowing that he was losing the fight. With that said, I believe that if Joe Calzaghe were to fight Bernard Hopkins as both men have expressed interest in doing, it would be a historic mistake for Joey Wales. At this point the skill difference between Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins tilts very favorably to Joe Calzaghe. However, the intangibles which Hopkins possesses will not only intimidate, but frustrate the Welshman into a Hopkins victory. The first half of the fight Saturday night against Kessler showed how easily Calzaghe could be frustrated. Calzaghe was throwing wildly un-coordinated punches like a 5 year old school boy, and resorted to showboating to mask his frustration. It wasn’t until the later stages of the first half of the fight did Calzaghe find his zone and start picking away at stiff and un-athletic Kessler. Below I have listed 5 reasons why Hopkins would take home a win if Calzaghe and Hopkins would meet in the ring. 1.Hopkins will intimidate and frustrate Calzaghe. Joe Calzaghe has never faced as intimidating an opponent as Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins is every bit the thug that Floyd Mayweather wishes he was. Hopkins “old-school Philly style” of clinching, head butting, and throwing elbows will frustrate the easily tempered Calzaghe into making a tactical mistake which Hopkins will easily exploit. This is the same approach that Hatton will use against Mayweather. Hopkins will mug and intimidate Calzaghe just as he did with Winky “Stinky” Wright. 2.Calzaghe has never faced an athlete of Hopkins caliber. It is no secret that America produces the best athletes. You could probably take a handful of NFL players, and if you trained them since they were children would all probably be Heavyweight title holders or contenders. The same could probably be said for the NBA. For all of those where not big enough to play these sports, boxing was their alternative and that is why you see so many dominate Americans in the mid range weight classes. Hopkins being one of them. As good as Kessler may be, he ranks up there with Kelly Pavlik as the most un-athletic professional athlete I have ever seen. Kessler was very awkward looking and stiff. Hopkins is by far the best athlete Calzaghe will ever face. 3.Hopkins wants revenge for Calzaghe breaking his record. Hopkins is very dangerous when properly motivated (ie Trinidad, and Tarver). Look for Hopkins to train with some added passion. 4.Hopkins will develop the us versus them mentality. Hopkins is a proud American, and unlike many fighters is unafraid to carry the burden of fighting for his country. Hopkins will be motivated to carry the flag for America. He will look at this fight with a Rocky IV demeanor just as he did against Trinidad. Hopefully he does some flag stomping in the process. 5.Hopkins has beat the greatest fighters in boxing. Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Winky Wright, and Antonio Tarver is a pretty impressive list. Felix Trinidad was the best fighter in the world before Hopkins TKO’d him. Anyone on the above mentioned list would be the greatest fighter Calzaghe has ever faced. While Hopkins is old and his skills seem slightly diminished, he still possesses all the intangibles to beat Calzaghe.