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I just watched this fight for the first time. I expected to see Hopkins countering more but really the only good part of the fight for Hopkins was the knock down in the first round. I would have hated to have been a judge in this bout, it was tough to see what Hopkins might have been doing on the inside, but it was clear to see that Hopkins was just not doing enough.
Calzaghe, to his credit, was not slapping and cuffing as he had in other bouts, but still did not look impressive to me. Hopkins one punch and hold tactic did little to favor him in the judges eyes. Roach spoke it in the corner between rounds, throw the right hand and follow with the hook. It's basic boxing against a left hander, the bread being the right hand lead and the butter being the left hook that follows. But Hopkins never did follow the instruction but rather continued with his right hand lead and hold pattern.
It was a fight were you would see Calzaghe land 2 or 3 light punches while Hopkins sporatically would land a straight right. Later through the fight Hopkins began arm punching in hopes of countering Calzaghes fast arm punching. The tactic was of no concequence as Calzaghe continued to press Hopkins through the fight.
End result, I had it 116-112 for Calzaghe. Honestly this was an ugly bout with little tell tale action. Again it was Calaghes pitty pat punches against Hopkins right hand that he threw too few times through the fight.
To consider Calzaghe an ATG because of this win is absurd, he did very little to impress. Fortuantely for him Hopkins did even less. Calzaghe did win this fight, I can't see how 1 judge favored Hopkins after the 12 rounds. Whether it was age or the akward style of Calzaghe, or possibly both, Hopkins looked old and unmotivated in this bout. With the exception of him coming on strong after recieving a low blow and taking a good portion of the 5 minutes allowed to recover from such a punch.
With Hopkins recent wins he could be considered an ATG, but only because of his age. Pascal was nothing more than a guy who held a belt but still Hopkins did enough to take it from him. Is Hopkins an ATG? Maybe, but I think that he falls short looking through his resume. Is Calzaghe an ATG? If he stuck around and fought the best that remained it could have been possible. But watching this fight it would be hard to consider either fighter amongst the greatest of all-time. But Calzaghe definately won in this ugly and rather boring fight...........Rockin'
Calzaghe, to his credit, was not slapping and cuffing as he had in other bouts, but still did not look impressive to me. Hopkins one punch and hold tactic did little to favor him in the judges eyes. Roach spoke it in the corner between rounds, throw the right hand and follow with the hook. It's basic boxing against a left hander, the bread being the right hand lead and the butter being the left hook that follows. But Hopkins never did follow the instruction but rather continued with his right hand lead and hold pattern.
It was a fight were you would see Calzaghe land 2 or 3 light punches while Hopkins sporatically would land a straight right. Later through the fight Hopkins began arm punching in hopes of countering Calzaghes fast arm punching. The tactic was of no concequence as Calzaghe continued to press Hopkins through the fight.
End result, I had it 116-112 for Calzaghe. Honestly this was an ugly bout with little tell tale action. Again it was Calaghes pitty pat punches against Hopkins right hand that he threw too few times through the fight.
To consider Calzaghe an ATG because of this win is absurd, he did very little to impress. Fortuantely for him Hopkins did even less. Calzaghe did win this fight, I can't see how 1 judge favored Hopkins after the 12 rounds. Whether it was age or the akward style of Calzaghe, or possibly both, Hopkins looked old and unmotivated in this bout. With the exception of him coming on strong after recieving a low blow and taking a good portion of the 5 minutes allowed to recover from such a punch.
With Hopkins recent wins he could be considered an ATG, but only because of his age. Pascal was nothing more than a guy who held a belt but still Hopkins did enough to take it from him. Is Hopkins an ATG? Maybe, but I think that he falls short looking through his resume. Is Calzaghe an ATG? If he stuck around and fought the best that remained it could have been possible. But watching this fight it would be hard to consider either fighter amongst the greatest of all-time. But Calzaghe definately won in this ugly and rather boring fight...........Rockin'