..HOPKINS & CALZAGHE: Who Needs Who?...

[THe TRiNiTY]

At this point in their careers, who needs the other?

Calzaghe is an undefeated, most likely hall of fame bound, (SLIGHTLY PASSED HIS) prime, fighter coming up 7 pounds in order to fight for the TRUE light-heavyweight championship. Not to mention he's still TRULY the super-middleweight champion, reigning undisputed for about 3 years, with atleast a portion of the title for the past 10 plus years. Has not done financially ANYTHING in the U.S., but has an incredible Wales following and is a world-class fighter. Whether ignorant American fans want to admit it or not. (Not all Americans, I'm pointing out the ignorant ones, not claiming all American fans are ignorant. Lol. Sometimes with people, you have to clarify). His biggest wins being against Eubanks, Lacy and Kessler.

Now, with Hopkins you have a future hall of famer, with a very impressive record, only having losses to three men. He reigned at middleweight for over ten years, undisputed for about 5 of those years, give or take. He actually started getting better, mentally especially, with age and neared his prime at the ripe ol' age of 36. He was p4p king for a solid 2-5 years, depending on who you ask and their opinion on him. He's beaten more p4p guys then Calzaghe has, whether they were p4p at the time or atleast had been. Only recently has he got a DECENT following of fans who simply appreciate his fights, but he does continue to draw in fairly impressive PPV buys. His biggest wins are against Trinidad, De La Hoya and Tarver.

So, with those things in mind.... Who do you think needs the other? And why?

Vote. Discuss.

[KingTito]

It would be a big win for both, but I think if Hopkins beat Calzaghe he would get more credit than Calzaghe would if he beat Hopkins.

[sparked_85]

Calzaghe needs the names. Big recognizable, heralded, AMERICAN names.

Hops has them albeit against little un's. De La Hoya, Tito ( I know he is PR but you know Heralded by Americans), and Winky.

Though Tarver is the win you can't put an asterisk next to, and Glen Johnson.

On the other hand Calzaghe would be the greatest win easily of Hopkins career. Joe C is his own size, if not even bigger, and is much better fighter than the erratic Tarver and twice the fighter the game Johnson is.

They need eachother but Joe more. He needs the standout names on his resume.

I don't necessarily believe Hopkins at this stage will be the best fighter Joe has stepped in with.

[sarlick]

they both need each calzaghe because he needs big names on hes cv and by beating hopkins he can get some american fans but this is hopkins last chance he needs calzaghe if he wins he will get alot of credit and a couple more big paydays

[11simon]

Hopkins 4 Losses

Jermain Taylor July 2005
Jermain Taylor December 2005
Roy Jones May 1993
Clinton Mitchell 1998

Calzage Losses None.

Hopkins will now have to retire with 5 lost fights.

[warp1432]

I said Hopkins needs Calzaghe. While Hopkins is a definite HOFer he really needs to go out on that big win and slience the guys who question his resume.

For Calzaghe there was always other american stars like Jones, Pavlik (He could have taken a longer period off), and Winky. While I believe Bernard is better then all of those people, Calzaghe had other options.

[BattlingNelson]

Hopkins is 43 and doesnt need anything. He has nothing left to prove and should retire.

Calzaghe very much needs to fight and defeat some big names to try and solidify his legacy thereby compensating for his lost prime years where he bowled over too many tomatocans. Hopkins is a big name and a great match for JoeC coz some (most?) fans have forgotten how old he is.

[RL_GMA]

Why do people totally dismiss guys like Trinidad or De La Hoya on Hopkins' list of fighters he's beaten? What fights do you think put Hopkins over for the general public to finally take notice of BHop??

Calzaghe needs this more than Bernard. BHop is already a HOF fighter and if he beats Calzaghe at 44, who really looks bad here?

[GodOfWar]

Hopkins doesn't need to win at all, Calzaghe needs to win. If Calzaghe loses ppl will say he was exposed...

[warp1432]

Why do people totally dismiss guys like Trinidad or De La Hoya on Hopkins' list of fighters he's beaten? What fights do you think put Hopkins over for the general public to finally take notice of BHop??

Calzaghe needs this more than Bernard. BHop is already a HOF fighter and if he beats Calzaghe at 44, who really looks bad here?

You because Hopkins is 43