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POSTED 9:38 PM, EST.....www.maxboxing.com MaxBoxing's Fight Picks for Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1) vs. Joe Calzaghe (44-0). April 19
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Michael Katz -
(Calzaghe is the obvious pick - a bit younger, much busier, figures to attract the judges' eyes. but at the odds, i'd have to bet on bernard. his last two appearances, he beat southpaws in antonio tarver and winky wright. if he could negate winky's jab, he could do the same to calzaghe's. no, even up i'd still pick hopkins. by decision of course - and let the bitching begin again.)
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Ernest Gabion -Joe UD
(In spite of what Hopkins thinks he has never faced a fighter quite like Joe. I for one am tired of doubting Joe's abilities (he's going to get run over by Lacy!) to rise to the occasion so I say Joe makes Hopkins look old.)
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Gary Randall -Hopkins W12 or DRAW
(The old man will not go quietly into the night as he will give Calzaghe fits with angles and ring generalship. Close close fight.)
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Thomas Gerbasi -Calzaghe W12
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Jake Donovan -Calzaghe by UD
(On paper, Calzaghe boasts most of the advantages, which makes him the safe pick. There's nothing safe about picking against Hopkins, who's upset the odds many a time. To me, the biggest question mark is how well Joe carries 175, which I view as a more crucial factor than fighting in the states for the first time. I think it will affect him in the beginning of the fight, which is Bernard's best chance of controlling the tempo throughout. If/when he allows Joe to find his groove, it will be his undoing. A toss-up in my mind, in which case I tend to side with youth and - in Joe's case - perfection. Calzaghe by close decision, regarded by some (especially Hopkins) as controversial, but more objective minds agreeing with the verdict.)
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John Scully -Joe outpoints Hops on a unanimous 12 round decision
(I would go with the gut feeling and say that Joe outpoints Hops on a unanimous 12 round decision. I think a big factor is the fact that I find it very hard to imagine Joe being the type of guy who will let any possible outside influences (fighting in the USA for the first time, the magnitude of the event, the trash talking) get to him. He's fast, puts punches together, boxes well, seems very intelligent in the ring and is a very tough guy with a lot of grit. I just think it's more his time right now than it is B-Hops time.) ---------------------------------------------------------------
Allan Scotto -Calzaghe by split decision
(I love Bernard, but I don’t think he’ll beat Calzaghe. Calzaghe is too all over the place for Bernard’s peek-a-boo style. Calzaghe by split decision.)
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David Sholler -Bernard by decision.
(Intangibles win this fight. It won't be pretty or aesthetically pleasing, but Bernard Hopkins neutralizes Joe Calzaghe's speed by deploying the unlawful bag of tricks. The Wales native will give B-Hop all he can handle, but in the end it's Bernard by decision.)
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Lee Groves -Calzaghe W 12 Hopkins
(The main question surrounding this fight is whether Hopkins can successfully slow down Calzaghe's work rate and nullify his unique southpaw style. While the Welshman has been rattled in the past by rough-house tactics by lesser fighters, Calzaghe won't be caught off guard this time. Thus the fight will be determined by skills and at this point of their respective careers Calzaghe has more of his prime skills than Hopkins does. Calzaghe won't hurt Hopkins enough to knock him out but he'll pile up enough points to win by decision.)
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German Villasnor -Calzaghe wins majority decision over hopkins
(Too fast, too many punches from the southpaw angle. Look for Calzaghe to put up a slap -fest on Hopkins en route to a majority decision.)
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Lance Williams / Body Blows -HOPKINS BY SPLIT DECISION
(I like Hopkins to win this fight because of he makes guys fight his pace, he always takes away what you do best, Joe Cortez, and the fight is in Las Vegas. I think Hopkins ring knowledge and savvy will prevent Calzaghe from working at a very high work rate. Look for Hopkins to smoother Calzaghe to take away the slightly younger man's advantage in hand and foot speed, and look for Joe Cortez to allow him to do it. I think it takes a lot more than foot speed and being busy to beat Bernard Hopkins. Look for a ugly, boring 12 round Bernard Hopkins razor close victory.
I like Hopkins 115-113.)
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Michael Katz -
(Calzaghe is the obvious pick - a bit younger, much busier, figures to attract the judges' eyes. but at the odds, i'd have to bet on bernard. his last two appearances, he beat southpaws in antonio tarver and winky wright. if he could negate winky's jab, he could do the same to calzaghe's. no, even up i'd still pick hopkins. by decision of course - and let the bitching begin again.)
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Ernest Gabion -Joe UD
(In spite of what Hopkins thinks he has never faced a fighter quite like Joe. I for one am tired of doubting Joe's abilities (he's going to get run over by Lacy!) to rise to the occasion so I say Joe makes Hopkins look old.)
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Gary Randall -Hopkins W12 or DRAW
(The old man will not go quietly into the night as he will give Calzaghe fits with angles and ring generalship. Close close fight.)
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Thomas Gerbasi -Calzaghe W12
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Jake Donovan -Calzaghe by UD
(On paper, Calzaghe boasts most of the advantages, which makes him the safe pick. There's nothing safe about picking against Hopkins, who's upset the odds many a time. To me, the biggest question mark is how well Joe carries 175, which I view as a more crucial factor than fighting in the states for the first time. I think it will affect him in the beginning of the fight, which is Bernard's best chance of controlling the tempo throughout. If/when he allows Joe to find his groove, it will be his undoing. A toss-up in my mind, in which case I tend to side with youth and - in Joe's case - perfection. Calzaghe by close decision, regarded by some (especially Hopkins) as controversial, but more objective minds agreeing with the verdict.)
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John Scully -Joe outpoints Hops on a unanimous 12 round decision
(I would go with the gut feeling and say that Joe outpoints Hops on a unanimous 12 round decision. I think a big factor is the fact that I find it very hard to imagine Joe being the type of guy who will let any possible outside influences (fighting in the USA for the first time, the magnitude of the event, the trash talking) get to him. He's fast, puts punches together, boxes well, seems very intelligent in the ring and is a very tough guy with a lot of grit. I just think it's more his time right now than it is B-Hops time.) ---------------------------------------------------------------
Allan Scotto -Calzaghe by split decision
(I love Bernard, but I don’t think he’ll beat Calzaghe. Calzaghe is too all over the place for Bernard’s peek-a-boo style. Calzaghe by split decision.)
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David Sholler -Bernard by decision.
(Intangibles win this fight. It won't be pretty or aesthetically pleasing, but Bernard Hopkins neutralizes Joe Calzaghe's speed by deploying the unlawful bag of tricks. The Wales native will give B-Hop all he can handle, but in the end it's Bernard by decision.)
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Lee Groves -Calzaghe W 12 Hopkins
(The main question surrounding this fight is whether Hopkins can successfully slow down Calzaghe's work rate and nullify his unique southpaw style. While the Welshman has been rattled in the past by rough-house tactics by lesser fighters, Calzaghe won't be caught off guard this time. Thus the fight will be determined by skills and at this point of their respective careers Calzaghe has more of his prime skills than Hopkins does. Calzaghe won't hurt Hopkins enough to knock him out but he'll pile up enough points to win by decision.)
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German Villasnor -Calzaghe wins majority decision over hopkins
(Too fast, too many punches from the southpaw angle. Look for Calzaghe to put up a slap -fest on Hopkins en route to a majority decision.)
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Lance Williams / Body Blows -HOPKINS BY SPLIT DECISION
(I like Hopkins to win this fight because of he makes guys fight his pace, he always takes away what you do best, Joe Cortez, and the fight is in Las Vegas. I think Hopkins ring knowledge and savvy will prevent Calzaghe from working at a very high work rate. Look for Hopkins to smoother Calzaghe to take away the slightly younger man's advantage in hand and foot speed, and look for Joe Cortez to allow him to do it. I think it takes a lot more than foot speed and being busy to beat Bernard Hopkins. Look for a ugly, boring 12 round Bernard Hopkins razor close victory.
I like Hopkins 115-113.)
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