Prime Calzaghe beats Prime Hopkins convincingly

[Dynamite Kid]

Moot. People look their best against different people because of styles.

Hopkins basically pitched a shut out in his victory over Johnson before the fight stopped it. Hard to think of what fight Toney looked his most dominating in, but rest assured he'd have took a **** on Kessler. His defense and accuracy were too good. Kessler never moves his head and Toney's hooks would've bloodied him in no time.

Kessler also goes backwards in straight lines

[Thunder Lips]

Its a very difficult question if you look at it.

Both fighters were past their prime physically, but Bernard's later style of counterpunching and clinching to conserve energy is probably the best style against calzaghe.

The younger, hunter Bernard would risk getting hit more and against a version of Joe with undamaged hands would have to pay to get his own work off. Both of them have got grantie chins, so the ko situation isn't happening either way IMO.

The fact is the best versions of Nard and Joe are an amalgum of physical from early career and skills from later career. I don't think either of them would beat the other easily in any part of their careers, personally I would favour Joe, but I could understand someone rooting for Nard.

Someone gets it, Bravo!

Great post.

[Burner]

Yeah, but Kessler is pretty damn good, regardless of whether you rate him as a true elite. IMO opinion it is rare that you see a guy like Kessler so comprehensively beaten in every department. Do you think Hopkins or Toney would have looked as good against him? I don't.

Oh lord Hopkins and Toney school Kessler.

[Kris Silver]

Yet Hopkins got robbed at 40+. So prime for prime Hopkins kos him. Calzaghe cant punch or doesnt know how to punch and has a ****e chin. He is a ****in hype machine. Kessler who the **** is that?

The age thing with Hops is so predictable. It's been said so many times, Hops best weapons against Calzaghe were the ones he posessed most post 40. These include ring intelligence, tactics, counter punching, ruining an opponents style. A pre age 40 Hops would suite Calzaghe more, you would have seen a more open fight which Calzaghe has always taken advantage of.

****e chin, lol, based on what? Whenever he's even been knocked down by big shots he's un fazed and back up in seconds, and Kessler, yes SMW number 2, landed huge upper cuts which barely stunned him at all. Most would be very rattled by such shots.

[Kris Silver]

he visibly tired towards then end of the fight and started to look all his 43 years thus conceeding many of the latter rounds as he started to tire due to age

Age again. Even post 40 Hops was renown for conserving his energy with his minimalistic, effective style. He wasn't so tired in other fights at this age, and if anything it was a strong point, he tired the opponent and kept going. Wierd, he grew old over night I spose is the excuse card being played. Or, a far more fact based, logical reason is that he was out worked, forced to fight at a different pace than he wanted, and couldn't keep up with that.

A more active Hops, great suites Joe, he likes it more open and not to have to force the issue, he wasn't massively effective in doing that. So a more open trading fight, with Hops skills in defence, tactics, and spoiling much less years ago, he'd be out boxed by Calzaghe, with cleaner shots occurring. Calzaghe would walk through them like he always has, Kessler can't hurt him Nard wouldn't. A Hops coming forwards, yes please says Joe.

[warp1432]

Hopkins would still make a Calzaghe fight very dirty, but he'd be more active. The antwon echols 2 fight shos he can make fights dirty and with a better workrate and accurate counters, Calzaghe loses.

Calzaghe does well, but loses.

edit: Note this isn't bralwer Hopkins. This is boxer puncher, so he really wouldn't be coming foward that often. Just when he counters fire back with more shots.

Calzaghe would beat the **** out of that Hopkins.