Cong**** to Calzaghe

[steptwome]

Given the antics and surrounding the fight, I have to give Calzaghe, his due. he was able to outwork Hopkins in a somewhat "tactical" bout. The casual fan expected a more intense performance from both fighters, to at least live up to the "hype." (they owed it to us). I figured after the knock down in the first round, that the bout would intensify, but it didn't. Do Styles make fights? Of course they do, but this pairing was horrid. For a moment it seemed as Hopkins had proven his theory of European fighters (Calzaghe down in the first round). I thought the fight was "over" from that point...wrong.... making it clear that he would not be dissuaded by the "knock-down", Calzaghe maintained his composure, sticking with the game plan (constant pressure throughout). It wasn't the crowd pleasing bout most expected but the victory surely harnessed that "0".

[The Hammer]

Given the antics and surrounding the fight, I have to give Calzaghe, his due. he was able to outwork Hopkins in a somewhat "tactical" bout. The casual fan expected a more intense performance from both fighters, to at least live up to the "hype." (they owed it to us). I figured after the knock down in the first round, that the bout would intensify, but it didn't. Do Styles make fights? Of course they do, but this pairing was horrid. For a moment it seemed as Hopkins had proven his theory of European fighters (Calzaghe down in the first round). I thought the fight was "over" from that point...wrong.... making it clear that he would not be dissuaded by the "knock-down", Calzaghe maintained his composure, sticking with the game plan (constant pressure throughout). It wasn't the crowd pleasing bout most expected but the victory surely harnessed that "0".

Great post! I wish all of Hopkins fans would be good sports like you are.

[FRKO]

Respect for telling it like it is.

[steptwome]

Respect for telling it like it is.

....indeed

[The_One77]

Joe is one of a kind in regards to adapting to a fighter's style, alot of boxers would of been caught with the right hand all night.
He gradually changed the pace and outworked Hopkins, Joe is an all time great atleast now in my eyes.

[Kris Silver]

Nice post indeed. The more I think about it, the more it's a fight that you enjoy later on, for it's story. It didn't necessarily make for the most active open fight, which wasn't really Calzaghe fault lets be sure about.

So considering this, we knew what to expect, and it's fascinating to have such a match up of the best defensive skills and counter puncher in the game, versus the most active and quickest with his hands. There's all kinds of things to take out of it.

Joe got a B+ for me, with Bernard nearly the same but B. They're styles each outworked each other, and if anyone's came out on top it was clearly Joe. Despite Bernard saying he made Joe fight his fight, thats not true, later rounds don't show that, nor do the stats. To have gotten up off his arse, come from behind against such a master and legend, not lose his game plan like Hatton, grind Nard down in his own words, and make it more his fight, was still considering the skills of Nard, impressive. He landed the most anyone ever has against Hopkins and that in itself is impressive.

I reckon watching the fight 2nd time around might be more entertaining. Great fight from both guys, for different reasons. One for the boxing history books for it's story, styles alone.