Calzaghe: "Hopkins Will Need a Respirator"

[RisAri0]

I saw the Bika fight and I have it on video. You'd look pretty tired too if your opponent did every single thing in the book to foul you, including headbutts. Obviously, Bika lacked the skill to take on Joe and fight a clean fight. Bika had no chance, and he knew it, so he pushed his luck and still got beat heavily on points. 117-110 and 116-111.

As far as I'm concerned, Joe already won the war of words. He hasn't let Hopkins get to him because he's not scared. He is laughing at Bernard.

Bernard is an expert in all that plus with added subtle skills..

[Hitman88]

unknowns & intangibles

Both of these fighters like to run their mouths excessively. The difference is who actually believes what they're saying as opposed to who's just attempting to save face. Calzaghe is indeed an accomplished fighter, but he's venturing into unchartered territory whether he chooses to admit it publicly. From fighting outside of the UK for the first time to moving up in wgt, April 19th will be a new experience for joe c. Im sure he'll be as prepared as he's been for any of his previous meaningful fights, but sometimes you cant fully prepare yourself for the intangilbes (you actually have to experience them & make the adjustments as you go). Some of his comments taken from this interview are rather ridiculous though. For starters, b-hop will not need a respirator or a wheel chair after this fight. He's never had any "bad habits" that generally affect many fighters outside the ring. Not to mention, he is working w/ shilstone who is one of the best strength & conditioning coaches in the world. Hopkins isnt ****** by any means. He know he'll have to fight at a diff pace than he's used to (at least at certain intervals), and he's preparing his mind & body for the task. Secondly, saying that hopkins isnt a legend because he has four losses & a draw on his record is assinine. All the greats from louis to ali to robinson, leonard, hagler, chavez..whittaker & pretty much 99% of all other hof fighters have lost multiple bouts during their careers. Lastly, anybody who thinks calzaghe (who isnt a power puncher) is going to wobble someone who's never been ko'd or even come close is delusional. Joe C's resume isnt better than hopkins' in terms of opponents faced..past or present. Hopkins has faced the more known, accomplished &quality opponents in his career. It doesnt matter if the oppositon moved up in wgt or not. Most great fighters (below heavywgt) have moved up and experienced success so that's no reason to discredit a win. From jones to trinidad, de la hoya, taylor, wright to tarver, Hopkins has seen it all (these guys have all been in the p4p picture at some pt in their careers). Chris eubank, jeff lacy & mikkel kessler (who is a good young figter) are not in the aforementioned class by any means. Not to mention, hopkins is probably still the most patient tactician in the game today. Joe c may or may not win but it wont be a runaway victory by any means.

[Carlisle]

Calzaghes beat Hopkins? What a joke.

Calzaghe should have stayed out of the U.S. Then people would really beleive he was an all time great. Now? Well now he gets exposed. Hey I'm undefeated.. maybe I can beat Hopkins too? Sad thing for Calzaghe is that he thinks Lacy was actually good. Anyone who thinks Lacy and Kessler is in the same class as Hopkins is in for a rude awakening. Just a couple more days before Hopkins exposes him.

LAS VEGAS, NEV - JOE CALZAGHE, boxing's current longest-reigning world champion, greeted hundreds of fans and media at his grand arrival at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas today. Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KOs), from Newbridge, Wales, the super middleweight champion since October 11, 1997, has successfully defended his title a division-record 21 consecutive times, fourth-best on boxing's all time list. The only super middleweight champion to have held every major belt, Calzaghe makes his U.S. and light heavyweight debut this Saturday when he challenges Philadelphia's Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs), for Hopkins title in a rare battle of The Ring magazine champions. [details]

[FRKO]

Bernard is an expert in all that plus with added subtle skills..

I don't respect bad sportsmanship. Fighting dirty is nothing to brag about. If you can't take out your opponent with legitimate skills, you shouldn't be in the ring with them. It's that simple.

[FLY TY]

Both of these fighters like to run their mouths excessively. The difference is who actually believes what they're saying as opposed to who's just attempting to save face. Calzaghe is indeed an accomplished fighter, but he's venturing into unchartered territory whether he chooses to admit it publicly. From fighting outside of the UK for the first time to moving up in wgt, April 19th will be a new experience for joe c. Im sure he'll be as prepared as he's been for any of his previous meaningful fights, but sometimes you cant fully prepare yourself for the intangilbes (you actually have to experience them & make the adjustments as you go). Some of his comments taken from this interview are rather ridiculous though. For starters, b-hop will not need a respirator or a wheel chair after this fight. He's never had any "bad habits" that generally affect many fighters outside the ring. Not to mention, he is working w/ shilstone who is one of the best strength & conditioning coaches in the world. Hopkins isnt ****** by any means. He know he'll have to fight at a diff pace than he's used to (at least at certain intervals), and he's preparing his mind & body for the task. Secondly, saying that hopkins isnt a legend because he has four losses & a draw on his record is assinine. All the greats from louis to ali to robinson, leonard, hagler, chavez..whittaker & pretty much 99% of all other hof fighters have lost multiple bouts during their careers. Lastly, anybody who thinks calzaghe (who isnt a power puncher) is going to wobble someone who's never been ko'd or even come close is delusional. Joe C's resume isnt better than hopkins' in terms of opponents faced..past or present. Hopkins has faced the more known, accomplished &quality opponents in his career. It doesnt matter if the oppositon moved up in wgt or not. Most great fighters (below heavywgt) have moved up and experienced success so that's no reason to discredit a win. From jones to trinidad, de la hoya, taylor, wright to tarver, Hopkins has seen it all (these guys have all been in the p4p picture at some pt in their careers). Chris eubank, jeff lacy & mikkel kessler (who is a good young figter) are not in the aforementioned class by any means. Not to mention, hopkins is probably still the most patient tactician in the game today. Joe c may or may not win but it wont be a runaway victory by any means.

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so far, i agree with most of the comments posted on here, but u took it 2 a whole new level, my man. i couldn't have said it better myself.............

joe c said, "hopkins has been 'handpicking' his last few opponents," and I, as a hopkins fan totally agree. the funny thing is, and what most people are having trouble realizing, including joe, is that hopkins has done the same for this fight!!! joe c poses no threat to hopkins, hopkins knew exactly what he was doing, he'd a been in more trouble with rjj, nothing zag does makes this a dangerous fight for hopkins, and hops said it best- "the winky fight was ugly, because he had to get the turtle to come outta his shell...." joe c will makes hopkins look good in this fight!!!

i won't be surprised if hopkins wins comes saturday, i'll be happy b/c every1 is counting the old man out, but no surprise. i fully expect hops to win, and win easier than expected. late round stoppage. i'd be surprised come saturday, if joe actually won.............

[FRKO]

i won't be surprised if hopkins wins comes saturday, i'll be happy b/c every1 is counting the old man out, but no surprise. i fully expect hops to win, and win easier than expected. late round stoppage. i'd be surprised come saturday, if joe actually won.............

That's not quite true. Only a fool would count Hopkins out completely, and this will be a tough fight for both of 'em.

[Kris Silver]

Sad thing for Calzaghe is that he thinks Lacy was actually good. Anyone who thinks Lacy and Kessler is in the same class as Hopkins is in for a rude awakening. Just a couple more days before Hopkins exposes him.

He thought Lacy was good, it was the masses in the US whom thought he was very good.

I don't think Lacy is in the same class as Kessler, clearly Kesslers miles better by actually giving Joe a fight.

I do think Kessler and Hopkins are in the same class, but Kessler would beat him. If Joe beats Bernard, your gona have a hard time convincing people otherwise considering Kessler gave Joe a run for his money.

I don't think your in the majority opinion on these.

[fletcherd497]

calzaghe vs hopkins

listen! listen! listen! calzaghe too fast,too quick,undoutably the best boxer to come out of britain.we will shut hopkins up in his back yard.. cant wait!!

[fletcherd497]

dont be fooled by the hopkins gob ****!!!!it will go all the way,with hopkinns using his head and every other dirty trick in the book but calzaghe will prevail...remember bika!!!

[hardmanbrit]

I think Calzaghe has started talking disrespectfully about Hopkins because Hopkins shouted in his face that he would never, ever allow a White person to beat him and then he used a racial slur to describe Calzaghe.

If a boxing shows class outside of the ring, such as Kessler for instance, than the British fighter Joe Calzaghe shows them the respect they deserve.

I just hope that the twelve-year-long World Champion Calzaghe can shut Hopkins' mouth, as it would be for the good of this sport, but it will be very difficult as we all know how great Hopkins is.