Actual Basis For Picking A Winner: Hopkins vs. Calzaghe?

[Silencers]

It's been shaky against god-knows-who.. I admire your confidence.

Let's see how good it as against a grand master of positioning.

I am confident because if his footwork is so flawed, I really doubt he would have won 3 ABA titles in a row in three different weight classes. I believe the ABA title is the highest possible title to win in the amateurs in Britain.

[Addison]

I am confident because if his footwork is so flawed, I really doubt he would have won 3 ABA titles in a row in three different weight classes. I believe the ABA title is the highest possible title to win in the amateurs in Britain.

Yeah, I would take another look if you aren't sure. Footwork is not part of his game, my friend. He could use the flying squirrel to work his way in - once he's there that's when the magic happens. It's all in the waist.

[Silencers]

Yeah, I would take another look if you aren't sure. Footwork is not part of his game, my friend. He could use the flying squirrel to work his way in - once he's there that's when the magic happens. It's all in the waist.

We'll see bro.

[Addison]

We'll see bro.

We shall indeed. Lucky us!

[Silencers]

We shall indeed. Lucky us!

[Njord777]

There was another thread with a poll asking what was the most important attribute an elite boxer could possess. Speed, power, a solid chin. What I voted for there is the same thing I'm going to go with here- boxing intelligence/options.

This is a funny thing because I think, overall, Bernard Hopkins is a more ardent student of the game than Joe Calzaghe. He talks about golden era boxers, technique, and the love of the game often. So, when it comes to stepping into the ring and being able to analyze your opponent, pinpoint his mistakes and take advantage of them, limit your own mistakes and customize the gameplan on the fly, you'll win. A few years ago I would have said Hopkins would be able to do this and eek out a victory no matter what.

The problem is, due to age, I feel as if Calzaghe has more overall options. He's a bit fresher, can throw at a higher output, probably will be able to utilize lateral movement more. Bernard can't afford to chase Calzaghe around the ring, block barrages of punches, and simultaneously work to get his own shots off. In other words- I think Joe can out hustle Hopkins.

Initially I was picking Joe Calzaghe to win an easy UD. Hopkins is just too old. I do believe, though, it really depends on Joe's gameplan. If he just attempt to score rounds by outworking Bernard I think he can do it. If Hopkins can get Joe into a rough fight, though, work on this inside- throw a few elbows and other dirty tactics he often shows effective use of, he might fluster Calzaghe- and that's the last thing Joe needs.

The winner will be the one who shows the most ring generalship here. Both men are capable of winning, it depends who makes the other conform to his game. Does Joe use volume punching, force Hopkins to wait, try and counter- and most likely lose rounds hoping to get a hard counter in, or can Bernard tempt Joe into an ugly, awkwardly rough fight with lots of inside work and stop him from getting his shots of?

If Bernard does something to make Joe afraid to volume punch- shows power- I think he could win. But, it just comes down to who has more in the tank- and that's Calzaghe. He has more options available to him. More likely than not endurance and speed are both on his side- meaning he can just plain outwork Old Man Hopkins over the course of 12.

[Silencers]

There was another thread with a poll asking what was the most important attribute an elite boxer could possess. Speed, power, a solid chin. What I voted for there is the same thing I'm going to go with here- boxing intelligence/options.

This is a funny thing because I think, overall, Bernard Hopkins is a more ardent student of the game than Joe Calzaghe. He talks about golden era boxers, technique, and the love of the game often. So, when it comes to stepping into the ring and being able to analyze your opponent, pinpoint his mistakes and take advantage of them, limit your own mistakes and customize the gameplan on the fly, you'll win. A few years ago I would have said Hopkins would be able to do this and eek out a victory no matter what.

The problem is, due to age, I feel as if Calzaghe has more overall options. He's a bit fresher, can throw at a higher output, probably will be able to utilize lateral movement more. Bernard can't afford to chase Calzaghe around the ring, block barrages of punches, and simultaneously work to get his own shots off. In other words- I think Joe can out hustle Hopkins.

Initially I was picking Joe Calzaghe to win an easy UD. Hopkins is just too old. I do believe, though, it really depends on Joe's gameplan. If he just attempt to score rounds by outworking Bernard I think he can do it. If Hopkins can get Joe into a rough fight, though, work on this inside- throw a few elbows and other dirty tactics he often shows effective use of, he might fluster Calzaghe- and that's the last thing Joe needs.

The winner will be the one who shows the most ring generalship here. Both men are capable of winning, it depends who makes the other conform to his game. Does Joe use volume punching, force Hopkins to wait, try and counter- and most likely lose rounds hoping to get a hard counter in, or can Bernard tempt Joe into an ugly, awkwardly rough fight with lots of inside work and stop him from getting his shots of?

If Bernard does something to make Joe afraid to volume punch- shows power- I think he could win. But, it just comes down to who has more in the tank- and that's Calzaghe. He has more options available to him. More likely than not endurance and speed are both on his side- meaning he can just plain outwork Old Man Hopkins over the course of 12.

Very good breakdown. I think scenario 1 is more likely to happen than scenario 2 but I'm definitely not counting Hopkins out.

[tyson]

Very good breakdown. I think scenario 1 is more likely to happen than scenario 2 but I'm definitely not counting Hopkins out.

...******s...

[Addison]

There was another thread with a poll asking what was the most important attribute an elite boxer could possess. Speed, power, a solid chin. What I voted for there is the same thing I'm going to go with here- boxing intelligence/options.

This is a funny thing because I think, overall, Bernard Hopkins is a more ardent student of the game than Joe Calzaghe. He talks about golden era boxers, technique, and the love of the game often. So, when it comes to stepping into the ring and being able to analyze your opponent, pinpoint his mistakes and take advantage of them, limit your own mistakes and customize the gameplan on the fly, you'll win. A few years ago I would have said Hopkins would be able to do this and eek out a victory no matter what.

The problem is, due to age, I feel as if Calzaghe has more overall options. He's a bit fresher, can throw at a higher output, probably will be able to utilize lateral movement more. Bernard can't afford to chase Calzaghe around the ring, block barrages of punches, and simultaneously work to get his own shots off. In other words- I think Joe can out hustle Hopkins.

Initially I was picking Joe Calzaghe to win an easy UD. Hopkins is just too old. I do believe, though, it really depends on Joe's gameplan. If he just attempt to score rounds by outworking Bernard I think he can do it. If Hopkins can get Joe into a rough fight, though, work on this inside- throw a few elbows and other dirty tactics he often shows effective use of, he might fluster Calzaghe- and that's the last thing Joe needs.

The winner will be the one who shows the most ring generalship here. Both men are capable of winning, it depends who makes the other conform to his game. Does Joe use volume punching, force Hopkins to wait, try and counter- and most likely lose rounds hoping to get a hard counter in, or can Bernard tempt Joe into an ugly, awkwardly rough fight with lots of inside work and stop him from getting his shots of?

If Bernard does something to make Joe afraid to volume punch- shows power- I think he could win. But, it just comes down to who has more in the tank- and that's Calzaghe. He has more options available to him. More likely than not endurance and speed are both on his side- meaning he can just plain outwork Old Man Hopkins over the course of 12.

That one sentence is worth more than the 5000 thread pages that have been explored on this fight. Sensational stuff, Njord.

[Silencers]

...******s...

We'll look smart after the fight.