Calzaghe Set on Clash with Hopkins

[jangeorg]

"Not every performance is a great work of art", said a contemplative Joe Calzaghe after his 19th world title defence on Saturday.

And if, in his previous fight with Jeff Lacy, Calzaghe was Picasso at his most vivid, in his taxi-rank brawl with Sakio Bika, he was more like Tracy Emin after 10 cans of Stella.

Before the fight at the MEN Arena in Manchester, Bika's manager Angelo Hyder said his charge was "like an absolute animal in the ring".

Who says people in boxing are dishonest?

"He hit me about half a dozen times full-on with his head," said Calzaghe. "He was an awkward customer."
"Awkward" does not begin to describe the 27-year-old Cameroonian.

A maelstrom of swinging arms, rabbit punches, head-butts, low blows and late shots, Bika was the last man Calzaghe - desperate to put on a show for a primetime UK audience and American cable giants HBO - needed.

It is not the first time Calzaghe has been dragged down to an inferior opponent's level and he admitted afterwards he had tried too hard to impress.

"I'm still the same fighter but it just so happens that I didn't perform at my best," explained a slightly apologetic Calzaghe.

"Hopefully the next fight will be against a top-flight American and you'll see me at my best, like I was against Lacy."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6054242.stm

I have just read i the newspaper today,Frank Warren will calls Team Palle in about a week to discuss a fight between Kessler and Calzaghe

[Shanus]

I have just read i the newspaper today,Frank Warren will calls Team Palle in about a week to discuss a fight between Kessler and Calzaghe

Good ****, you made my day.

But if Calzaghe beat Bernard Hopkins, is it safe to say he could compare his competition to the likes of Roy Jones? Or even more so? Legendary.

C'mon, B-hop is more in his prime now than when Jones fought him, he's a young old man.

[-Antonio-]

You cant blame Calzaghe for going after Hopkins at all. Thats the bigger fight. Both dominated their divisions for ten years and now its time to see who was really the best at 160-168 for all those years.

[uppercut_84]

Frank Warren would never offer £50,000.

He was offered a few hundred thousand pounds.

[TheEvilSaint]

of course he goes after the RETIRED legend instead of fighting the guy who he really SHOULD fight.

typical phony calzone. all we need now is to sign the fight, and have joe blow come up with a bogus injury and then he'll fight some nobody as hes done for his entire career.

[Super Cartel]

or he can just pack the boxing in and sit on the internet all day like
urself

[TheEvilSaint]

or he can just pack the boxing in and sit on the internet all day like
urself

nice, throwing around weak insults like a chimp instead of contributing to the current discussion.

[Abe Attell]

Good ****, you made my day.

But if Calzaghe beat Bernard Hopkins, is it safe to say he could compare his competition to the likes of Roy Jones? Or even more so? Legendary.

C'mon, B-hop is more in his prime now than when Jones fought him, he's a young old man.

You are ****ing kidding right?

Maybe in the mind, but not Physically, he is not nearly the same fighter...if you think he is, then you haven't watched his fights prior to Tito.

[Super Cartel]

nice, throwing around weak insults like a chimp

heheheh

m8 if u can find a chimp that throws out insults ur most likely on ur way
to making those millions

[SweetScience55]

I just have a feeling that Joe won't be able to get past the defense and sheer brilliance Bernard. Of course he is quick and likes to shoe shine but I also seen him get hit with a lot of punches from Bika that he shouldn't have. Note, that Bika has horrible form and the ugliest straight right I've seen from a contender in awhile. If he can land and connect with that , then Bernard would have a great night. Joe also seemed confused after his clowning and game plan fell through. He didn't seem to adjust very well. It's a fight that I wouldn't mind paying for.