How Does Hopkins Beat Calzaghe?

[abadger]

As a Brit, and a huge fan of Calzaghe, I am very excited about his upcoming fight with Bernard Hopkins. I've been looking at some of their fights, both old and recent, and I have to say that I am struggling to see how Hopkins can realistically be expected to beat Calzaghe. To me it looks as though Joe is carrying advantages in just about every major department: hand speed, power, reflexes, mobility, and I have to say that in my opinion Joe wins this one any way he wants too.

As far as I can see Hopkins only realistic hope is to be able to tie Joe up on the inside and make it a scrappy, hard to score fight a la Hopkins/ Winky Wright, and hope he gets the nod from the US judges.

For the record, I expect Joe Calzaghe to win in the end by a unanimous points verdict, after a fairly dominant performance in which for the most part he stays on the outside hitting Bernard with jabs, flurrying him when the opportunity arises and proving to be the superior inside fighter whenever Bernard brings him in for the clinch. I think Joe will be very aware that he is fighting a 43 year old, and after feeling Bernard out in the first round or two, he will even make a pretty good effort at going for an early knockout, which I do not expect to succeed. After that he will just box his way to a points victory as I described.

I am not suggesting a one sided Lacy style beatdown, Hopkins deserves way more respect than that, but ultimately I just expect Joe to be the better man.

If anyone has any considered opinions about why I am wrong, particularly in terms of how exactly Hopkins will actually deal with Calzaghe, I would genuinely like to hear them, and just so you know, I predicted a Hatton victory over Mayweather, so I have no track record of being right about anything!
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[Lucky13]

Nice post.
I agree with everything you're saying, I think Popkins will have his moments like a counter right hand (whatever) but Joe will be too much. Too much will, power, speed and desire to win. It'll be a sweet victory.

[GodOfWar]

Hopkins kicks Calzaghe in the balls and wins that way, thats the only way he beats Calzaghe

[Jim Jeffries]

As a Brit, and a huge fan of Calzaghe, I am very excited about his upcoming fight with Bernard Hopkins. I've been looking at some of their fights, both old and recent, and I have to say that I am struggling to see how Hopkins can realistically be expected to beat Calzaghe. To me it looks as though Joe is carrying advantages in just about every major department: hand speed, power, reflexes, mobility, and I have to say that in my opinion Joe wins this one any way he wants too.

As far as I can see Hopkins only realistic hope is to be able to tie Joe up on the inside and make it a scrappy, hard to score fight a la Hopkins/ Winky Wright, and hope he gets the nod from the US judges.

For the record, I expect Joe Calzaghe to win in the end by a unanimous points verdict, after a fairly dominant performance in which for the most part he stays on the outside hitting Bernard with jabs, flurrying him when the opportunity arises and proving to be the superior inside fighter whenever Bernard brings him in for the clinch. I think Joe will be very aware that he is fighting a 43 year old, and after feeling Bernard out in the first round or two, he will even make a pretty good effort at going for an early knockout, which I do not expect to succeed. After that he will just box his way to a points victory as I described.

I am not suggesting a one sided Lacy style beatdown, Hopkins deserves way more respect than that, but ultimately I just expect Joe to be the better man.

If anyone has any considered opinions about why I am wrong, particularly in terms of how exactly Hopkins will actually deal with Calzaghe, I would genuinely like to hear them, and just so you know, I predicted a Hatton victory over Mayweather, so I have no track record of being right about anything!

And you have the nerve to show your face around here? Just kidding.

Hopkins is not your average 43 year old. He has kept himself in phenominal shape and ALL of his biggest wins have come after the age of 36. He is an excellent counter puncher and will slow Joe's high rate considerably. Joe has a tendency to keeps his hands low and Bernard might catch him with a shot like he put Tarver down with. I expect to see a dirty fight and if Bernard catches Joe with a headbut, elbow, etc and cuts him, it might affect his vision enough to shift the direction of the fight.

I think Joe will win an ugly, hard fought decision, but I wouldn't put any money on it.

[Orion]

Hopkins experience and being in there with every style there is is enough reason, hes a wily veteran that studies boxing and is always in great shape, hes smarter than Calzaghe and he will win the fight.

[Lucky13]

Joe is mentally pressuring Popkins. He made him look like an idiot and he made him dig his own grave. He's that good.

[No1]

In my opinion what hopkins has to do is fight a fight like the bika vs calzaghe fight. He has to get in close and rough up joe early, maybe cut joe and fight real dirty.
As attempt to counter him with overhand rights when joe steps in with straight lefts.
If hopkins cant do either of these things then its game over. Calzaghe hits harder, is faster, better workrate and has more heart than hopkins.
Calzaghe by wide ud.

[OmnipotentFloyd]

This fight is going to be ugly, both guys have good defense and are slick. Joe is slicker and has more stamina and throws more...so Hopkins needs Joe to run into one of his shots to win cause he does not have the power to stop Joe otherwise.

[Orion]

Joe is mentally pressuring Popkins. He made him look like an idiot and he made him dig his own grave. He's that good.

Wait what?

[sparked_85]

Making it scrappy and hard to score is exactly how Hopkins could win.

But Joe could just work from the outside jab to the body, and head,pitter pat flurries, and wrack up rounds that way.

The handspeed, movement, plus activity will be too much.

Hops has to knock Joe out in my opinion....doubtful!