I just re-watched calzaghe v Eubank, Reid, Lacy and Kessler today, and I really think that the Hopkins fight has caused us to forget how good Calzaghe actually is when not facing the best spoiler in boxing. I can easily imagine Calzaghe beating the old 'prime' aggressive Bernard much more than he did when they fought.
At his best his hand and footspeed are really quite incredible for a SMW, really not that far behind Roy Jones, and he can punch both straight and with power when he wants too. Add his agression and astute tactical ability and really you have a hell of a fighter.
I think if he can still physically perform to anything like the level he did against Kessler then I think he will surprise a few people in his next fight. Against Pavlik, Tarver or Jones Calzaghe might even hand out a real ass-whooping since none of these fighters are currently a match for him at his best. Pavlik would be my pick, because no-one can get away with saying he was never any good, like they did with Lacy. His fans love him.
A more active Hopkins would have beaten Calzaghe that night. He made Joe look like ****. Joe won a split decision. Hopkins landed the cleaner blows. Had he threw more he would've won.
Comment