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

[Silencers]

Yes, that is true.

But Taylor is a power-puncher, not reliant on activity.

I'd be more inclined to look at the Winky fight.

Plus I think Bernard has really benefitted from the weight gain.

Winky was on the Krispy Kreme diet, fighting at 170 really didn't suit him. Calzaghe will benefit from the weight gain as well I think. Calzaghe's punching power is good as well so we'll see how Hopkins reacts after he gets hit with Calzaghe's first power shot. Will he get overly defensive or will he open up a bit more?

As Njord said, Calzaghe has to be a little more careful with his shots, don't get wild, but stay active and I think he could beat Hopkins. Hopkins always manages to surprise me though.

[Njord777]

Winky was on the Krispy Kreme diet, fighting at 170 really didn't suit him. Calzaghe will benefit from the weight gain as well I think. Calzaghe's punching power is good as well so we'll see how Hopkins reacts after he gets hit with Calzaghe's first power shot. Will he get overly defensive or will he open up a bit more?

As Njord said, Calzaghe has to be a little more careful with his shots, don't get wild, but stay active and I think he could beat Hopkins. Hopkins always manages to surprise me though.

Call me crazy but the fight that makes me least confident in Joe is the Bika fight. Mentally he did not look as solid as I'd like. Sakio made it a tough fight- most pass it off as Calzaghe having looked past him- but when Joe was unable to have his way easily, like people predicted, he began to get very frustrated and began clowning around like crazy. He was sticking out his tongue, doing a little shuffle, wind-milling his arms- not because he was kicking ass, but because he was flustered. He needs to be more focused than that against Bernard.

[tyson]

Winky was on the Krispy Kreme diet, fighting at 170 really didn't suit him. Calzaghe will benefit from the weight gain as well I think. Calzaghe's punching power is good as well so we'll see how Hopkins reacts after he gets hit with Calzaghe's first power shot. Will he get overly defensive or will he open up a bit more?

As Njord said, Calzaghe has to be a little more careful with his shots, don't get wild, but stay active and I think he could beat Hopkins. Hopkins always manages to surprise me though.

Oh, I agree. This is the hardest fight (on paper) Hopkins has had since RJJ.

I don't expect any fighter to embarass or outclass the other. Don't think it will come down to who is the better fighter in the essence of this word either.

I think it boils down to who's the better prepared for what the other brings to the table.

Unless, of course, Hopkins has become a grand-daddy since his last outing.

[Silencers]

Call me crazy but the fight that makes me least confident in Joe is the Bika fight. Mentally he did not look as solid as I'd like. Sakio made it a tough fight- most pass it off as Calzaghe having looked past him- but when Joe was unable to have his way easily, like people predicted, he began to get very frustrated and began clowning around like crazy. He was sticking out his tongue, doing a little shuffle, wind-milling his arms- not because he was kicking ass, but because he was flustered. He needs to be more focused than that against Bernard.

That was the first time one of his fights aired live on HBO though, I think he was clowning because he wanted to impress the US audience.

[Silencers]

Oh, I agree. This is the hardest fight (on paper) Hopkins has had since RJJ.

I don't expect any fighter to embarass or outclass the other. Don't think it will come down to who is the better fighter in the essence of this word either.

I think it boils down to who's the better prepared for what the other brings to the table.

Unless, of course, Hopkins has become a grand-daddy since his last outing.

Agreed.

[Dynamite Kid]

Id say age is the biggest factor

If Calzaghe is more active he will win ,im not advocating trying to walk Hopkins down and **** away im talking about Boxing sensibly behind the Jab and throwing more punches than Hopkins

one thing is for sure Hopkins will not chase the fight if he falls behind ,he let Jermain Taylor take his titles and showed no urgency in either fight to stop Taylor ,Taylor is'nt exactly the most active fighter in the world either

Larry Merchant had it right when he said "Hopkins used to be a tiger on the prowl, but is now a lion waiting in the weeds "

[abadger]

No need to repeat myself.

My basis for Calzaghe beating Bernard can be found here:

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172426

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VAPIR OXYGEN

[Pullcounter]

So, what is your actual basis for picking a winner in the upcoming bout between Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe?

Any specific previous matchups?

Any stylistic tells?

Any glaring weaknesses/strengths on the part of either guy?



Technical discussion for serious fans and observers.

MULTIPLE CHOICE POLL

Hopkins has the edge in everything except punching power and raw strength.. both are arguably tied in those categories.

What Calzaghe has over Hopkins is relative youth, stamina, and endurance.

[FRKO]

Has nobody seen Hopkins vs. Wright?

Bernard is going to be leading Calzaghe around the ring and running Joe into the end of his punches like a poodle on a leash. Watch.

And just how the hell can you compare Calzaghe to Wright? Jeez man, Joe is in another league!

Calzaghe wins because he is just better all-round. Bernard Hopkins is deluded if he thinks he will beat Calzaghe.

What some may not realize at this point is that Calzaghe is going into this fight ultimately planning on throwing himself at Bernard. It's the only thing he can do, and it's the biggest trap in the world.

Wow. Did Joe tell you his gameplan or something? How nice of him to let a random dude on a forum know exactly what he's gonna do!

[bluemax]

EASY Fight to pick a winner!!!! Calzaghe easy by wide decision. I also predict by round 7 Hopkins get dirty due to frustration and realization that Calzaghe won't slow down. If Hopkins can't put some hurt on Calzaghe this fight is a scoring mis-match where at the end of round 12 no one will have to wait for the judges to figure out the winner.