Joe Calzaghe Gives Bernard Hopkins a Parting Shot

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Undisputed super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, in a recent interview with the BBC, took a parting shot at Bernard Hopkins. He also retterated his retirement plans by once again stating that his next appearance in the ring would be the finale of his career. Talks are still ongoing, but he hopes Roy Jones Jr. ends up in that final slot. Calzaghe has always viewed Jones as the perfect opponent to cap off his long career. [details]

[QuCongee]

Imagine if Jones did'nt take it. I wonder who Joe would fight then lol

[Jolly Roger]

Imagine if Jones did'nt take it. I wonder who Joe would fight then lol

Jones was at the Cal/Hopkins post fight presser basically begging for a fight. Maybe if Pavlik had done that we would be seeing him against Calzaghe, you never know.

[jdubb863]

Ive always been a fan of calzaghe, but i really think he was scared of fighting pavlik and maybe losing his last fight of his career... There is no way Cal/jones jr. is bigger than two of the best udefeated fighters at middle and supermiddle. Joe vs kelly is a huge fight.

[Sealhound]

If Jones boxes smart and keeps using his brilliant left hook over the top of Calzaghe's southpaw guard and then follow it up with that dangerous straight right he could certainly beat Calzaghe. People forget Joe is pretty old (36) and fighting a prime warrior like Pavlik is obviously daunting but I hope Joe fights Pavlik as I know he can beat him. Just like he beat Lacy, Kessler and Hopkins to silence the doubters and the people who didn't believe he could win.

[MANGLER]

I respect Joe C but I hope Jones beats him.

[KingTito]

I'd rather Calzaghe fight Pavlik, but Jones is good. I really hope Jones wins if they are to fight.

[.Mik.]

Unlike Joe to speak badly of someone after the fight. It would seem as though Hopkins showing Calzaghe no respect for beating him has earned no respect in return.

[edgarg]

Calzaghe although not polite, is right on the mark

Calzaghe beat Hopkins by a rather larger margin than the Judges' cards showed. However, as he says, it wasn't one of his better performances, and he rightly laid the onus on Hopkins. Since I've never had a high opinion of Hopkins, as a fighter, [although a first-class spoiler] I can agree wholeheartedly. Calzaghe had a similiar problem with Bika.

As for his next (last) fight, Jones is a far more difficult oppponent to beat than Pavlik, and, although fading, his original level was so high that he's still a very good fighter, who, on his day, can still beat anyone. I'm not sure that Calzaghe will win, but against Pavlik, barring unforseen obstacles, it would be almost a sure thing.

And, as he says, if would be a great honour to both fight Jones, AND beat him, as his fitting farewell. We take Jones' presence all too lightly, but when he's finally retired, we'll miss the excitement of watching him.

I don't follow the mob in the adulation of miracle-man Pavlik who has burst on the scene, mainly because he beat a good although over-rated Taylor. He still has a lot to learn before he reaches Calzaghe's and Jones' level- if he ever does. To me he's a smaller Kessler.

At the same time I can see an improvement in each fight, which might be his own level creeping up, or the suitability of his opponent, since so often, styles make fights.

[black.ink]

People seem to be writing RJJ off which i don't understand. Yeah, ok he's a little rusty from his last few fights due to inactivity but this fight has a point to prove.

I hope Roy beats Joe into reality and maybe even the people will understand that although he's currently one of the best active fighters in the world right now, he isn't unbeatable.