Calzaghe: "I Will Retire Hopkins For Good"

[FRKO]

Bernard wanted to dominate 160 as to Joe at 168. I believe the timing is perfect for these 2 fighting this year. Maybe Bernard didn't wanna move up or Joe didn't wanna move down, so now we have both men fighting at 175 which is fitting for both men right now in point of their careers. They've accomplished defending their titles 20+ times in their respected weight class. Plus Bernard wanted pay days and was probably waiting for Oscar to move up. Bernard PICKS his battles, he knows how to pick his battles wisely and he now is picking on Joe. And Joe finally gets what he wants in a fight with Hopkins. The timing is just right for both men seeing this fight is a win-win as far as their ego n confidence goes. Can't ask for more.

You say he's picking on Joe, but Joe has been asking for this fight for longer than I can remember. I am pretty sure I saw an interview from around 10 years ago where Joe said a fight with Hopkins would be a dream fight, so to say Bernard is picking on Joe now, especially after having dodged out of a fight with him once already, seems not to hold much weight. To me it looks like he had to give in and fight Joe eventually because Joe hasn't stopped pushing for it, and if he hadn't, maybe he'd forever be known as a guy who ducked Calzaghe? Some even see the fact that he went up two divisions and hopped right past Joe's weight class as a way of avoiding him. That's debatable, but I can't prove it's not true.

By the way, I should add that I'm not so sure if it's respectable when a fighter picks his fights if those fights are based on being easy/guaranteed wins over small fighters with big names.

[hardmanbrit]

I just hope that Big Joe can do the United Kingdom proud and show Bernard Hopkins just what a "white boy" can do.

Us British truly are all behind him (especially the Welsh!!), but I fear that Bernard Hopkins may just be too much for him.

Big Joe has never, ever fought at Light Heavweight before in his life and Hopkins is a truly great fighter who the American public seem to love and support.

[RisAri0]

You say he's picking on Joe, but Joe has been asking for this fight for longer than I can remember. I am pretty sure I saw an interview from around 10 years ago where Joe said a fight with Hopkins would be a dream fight, so to say Bernard is picking on Joe now, especially after having dodged out of a fight with him once already, seems not to hold much weight. To me it looks like he had to give in and fight Joe eventually because Joe hasn't stopped pushing for it, and if he hadn't, maybe he'd forever be known as a guy who ducked Calzaghe? Some even see the fact that he went up two divisions and hopped right past Joe's weight class as a way of avoiding him. That's debatable, but I can't prove it's not true.

By the way, I should add that I'm not so sure if it's respectable when a fighter picks his fights if those fights are based on being easy/guaranteed wins over small fighters with big names.

it does seem like it though doesn't it?. but again we'll never know what his intent is/was. As far as I'm concerned both men are dead even in their resumes.. one balances out the other am I right?

[FRKO]

I just hope that Big Joe can do the United Kingdom proud and show Bernard Hopkins just what a "white boy" can do.

Us British truly are all behind him (especially the Welsh!!), but I fear that Bernard Hopkins may just be too much for him.

Big Joe has never, ever fought at Light Heavweight before in his life and Hopkins is a truly great fighter who the American public seem to love and support.

Do you see him fighting at LHW to be a disadvantage? He had to really punish and starve his body to make SMW. Less punishment should make him slightly harder hitting and feeling good. Joe being naturally around 196 pounds, I can see where he's coming from, it must be fairly tough having to lose around 28 pounds before every fight. I think maybe added weight wouldn't be much use to a guy who doesn't know how to box, but to someone who can really punch, the extra 7 pounds will be beneficial. Only problem is Calzaghe's hands which can't stand up to the pressure when he hits hard. However, he has been injury free for a while, apparently.

[Kris Silver]

Bringing two of the above two posts together in terms of weight;

Nothing can be prooved, but dodging an obvious opponent for a long time, agreeing then backing out, skipping a weight division, then saying he'd only fight in the USA at LW, at 43, is on paper is uncommon, and a little odd.

It would fit in with accepting the fight now when he's more mentally psyched, which is what seems to drive Hopkins. He likes being the underdog, he seems to rise to it. (Although Joe says the same.)

Joe has said it, and many others too, it's only 7 pounds. He's always been at super middle weight, and struggling to for a few years now. His natural weight is a lot higher, and he trains and spars at a higher weight. So it's not that different for Joe. It gives him power whilst retaining the speed we've seen in his latest sparring vids, he's not as drained.

Hopkins was for a long time a natural middleweight, he's two divisions above that now (yes he's fought and prooved in it) but it's a smaller jump for Joe, and in many ways per previous paragraph, more natural for Joe.

I think it's easier to argue the pro's weight wise, are Joes side.

[edgarg]

Well, bad start for Bernard, losing his first pro fight. That's not a great foot to start out on.

If I remember correctly, Jones was Hopkins' 24th pro fight. That's not what I'd call green. And Taylor won thoses matches fair and square. Bernard didn't do enough, I mean, on the rematch, he landed only two punches in the first round. Personally, I'd be embarrassed about that.

At that time, Hopkins had more fights, therefore -supposedly- for such a brilliant boxing brain, MORE experience. BUT......Jones was not only on a far different track to Hopkins, but was streets ahead of him in talent, technique, and everything else that goes towards being a "STAR". For instance, Jones first fight was against an opponent who had had 4 wins- although about 16 fights. Not one of his first 8 fights was against an opponent with less than 4 wins, and only 2 had less than a 50% record. most of the rest had much larger than a 50% average, including some who'd had over 50 fights. Jones dealt with them all the same way.

And whatever correct accusations are made against Hopkins' tactics and foul fighting, Jones fights "squeaky clean", and if they ever fight, and the arena is filled, they will have come to see Jones, not Hopkins.

That brilliance and talent GAP, although to a lesser extent, he still maintains today.

[FRKO]

it does seem like it though doesn't it?. but again we'll never know what his intent is/was. As far as I'm concerned both men are dead even in their resumes.. one balances out the other am I right?

Yeah, you're right! Hey mate, this is all opinion anyway, there is no right or wrong, only differences.

Neither Hopkins nor Calzaghe has a perfect resume, but who does? Most fighters fight a few nobodies, they take fights that will benefit them financially or set the fighter and his family up for life, and everyone needs exposure. Calzaghe-Manfredo Jr, for example, comes to mind. Joe only fought that fight for the name recognition in the USA as Manfredo was getting as lot of attention. But back to the point, yes I agree, one balances out the other.

[hardmanbrit]

What a character Bernard Hopkins is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtB0gD6O_Ak

[hardmanbrit]

Let's remember this is the same southpaw Bernard ducked 7 years ago. The same southpaw who Jones never wanted anything to do with when he had a chance, now the tables have turned and he wants Calzaghe because of the payday. Joe gets the last laugh.

Spot on sir!

[freedom213]

it would be beautiful to see Calzaghe knock the loud-mouthed ex-convict out, but he has to fight cautiously because of Hopkins illegal tactics.

It will be a decision win for Joe, if the judges are fair.

if anyone is a loudmouth in this fight it has been Joe C. The guy drops a statement every other day. He must be quite nervous likes he's tryin to convince himself.