Calzaghe aint exactly in his prime either...

[Chunk..]

Calzaghe wanted to come to America 6-7 years ago to fight hopkins but hopkins pulled out of that fight. Or so what I've heard from hbo, they said both Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr wanted way too much money at that time to fight Calzaghe. I guess that win over Eubank really scared the **** out of some fighters.

That fight was to take place here in the U.K, not the states. The reason why Joe didn't go to the states earlier in his career is because Frank Warren wouldn't let it happen.

[Jolly Roger]

No disrespect to Calzaghe or his fans but do you think Joe is the better technically skilled fighter? I disagree on that. I think styles make fights and thats why Joe won.

I think style wise this fight was a nightmare for Joe, he did this despite the style match up.

[hardmanbrit]

Calzaghe is looking old in my opinion. His power is the lowest it's ever been, and so is his speed. I really hope he retires after his next fight, his speed is his main asset.

Yes, at 36 sadly Joe is well past his best now, but it would be nice to see him beat one more great fighter who is around his age before he finally quits.

Just to top off having been a World Champion for well over a decade and having beaten the likes of Kessler, Eubank, Reid and Lacey.

I would like to see him fight Roy Jones Jr. but I think Joe would struggle against him and I think he would lose. It would be very interesting, though, and if Joe were to somehow beat that great he would go down in history.

[Truth]

I think style wise this fight was a nightmare for Joe, he did this despite the style match up.

Yeah. I know where your coming from. The way I saw it though is, Calzaghe lets his hands go and Nard is defensive is a counter puncher. So as long as Calzaghe lands more punches and throws more punches there was almost no way Hopkins was going to win. Thats why I picked Joe to win. All Calzaghe had to do was let his hands go and Bernard didn't have much of a chance. To me this was Taylor vs. Hopkins all over again. Activity and landed punches vs. the harder punches but less punches landed....judges seems to like quantity over quality.

[Jolly Roger]

I don't think Bernard landed many powerful punches though. Apart from the one in round 1 none spring to mind.

[abadger]

There's a big difference between wars in the U.S. against top fighters and 43 compared to 36. As for Hopkins ducking Calzaghe, please, anybody who knows boxing knows he has fought everybody during his career. Hopkins is past his prime, and his day would've destroyed Calzaghe who slaps instead of punches and has horrible technique. Most people don't understand boxing and clearly have never trained in it.

Everyone makes out that the idea of Hopkins and RJJ not wanting to fight Calzaghe is laughable, but the truth is he was the very definition of the type of fighter big names want to avoid.

Back then he had power, speed, was a southpaw, was undefeated and had just beaten, in a huge step up in class for him, an arguable ATG in Chris Eubank. I mean the outcome of prime Hopkins - Eubank would hardly be certain, and RJJ said he had doubts about facing Eubank too. Meanwhile, this young welsh kid decked him in his first truly elite fight.

There is no way anyone with a title and record to protect would have wanted to face Joe throughout most of the 90s, so Hopkins and/ or RJJ ducking him is not unlikely at all.
________
**** BLACK

[FRKO]

No disrespect to Calzaghe or his fans but do you think Joe is the better technically skilled fighter?

Yes, no question Joe is a better fighter, he knows how to adapt and he keeps the pressure on til the end. No backing down. Bernards has some power, but that's all.

[Truth]

I don't think Bernard landed many powerful punches though. Apart from the one in round 1 none spring to mind.

I have to watch it again. I only watched it once so far. Maybe I remember it wrong. Its tough when you only saw the original broadcast of a fight to comprehend it all perfectly. I'll get back to you...

[-Antonio-]

Calzaghe is passed his prime physically aswell. Your right. But theres a difference between 36 and 43. You know what I mean? But it doesn't matter. Beating Bernard at any age is an accomplishment. Calzaghe deserves credit.

Nice to see a Hopkins fan admit that much.

Agreed, the age difference is still big. People should just acknowledge that Calzaghe isnt at his best either.

[FRKO]

Everyone makes out that the idea of Hopkins and RJJ not wanting to fight Calzaghe is laughable, but the truth is he was the very definition of the type of fighter big names want to avoid.

Back then he had power, speed, was a southpaw, was undefeated and had just beaten, in a huge step up in class for him, an arguable ATG in Chris Eubank. I mean the outcome of prime Hopkins - Eubank would hardly be certain, and RJJ said he had doubts about facing Eubank too. Meanwhile, this young welsh kid decked him in his first truly elite fight.

There is no way anyone with a title and record to protect would have wanted to face Joe throughout most of the 90s, so Hopkins and/ or RJJ ducking him is not unlikely at all.

Exactly. Low reward, high risk fight.

Hopkins and Jones have never denied ducking Calzaghe. Never.