If B-Hop beats Calzaghe....

[Rocky Balboa]

Would Hopkins' legacy be enhanced if he beat Calzaghe, even though it's already secure?

[Eraserhead]

In my eyes, it would be Hopkins' best win if he got it. Even better than the Trinidad one. Definitely surpasses the De La Hoya and Tarver wins (B-Hop's other standouts).

[josh fg]

In my eyes, it would be Hopkins' best win if he got it. Even better than the Trinidad one. Definitely surpasses the De La Hoya and Tarver wins (B-Hop's other standouts).

I aggree two fighters who have dominated there devisions against one another, however I think Calzaghe's would be irreprably damaged.

[Manc_Red]

In my eyes, it would be Hopkins' best win if he got it. Even better than the Trinidad one. Definitely surpasses the De La Hoya and Tarver wins (B-Hop's other standouts).

I aggree two fighters who have dominated there devisions against one another, however I think Calzaghe's would be irreprably damaged.

Yup totally agree, I for one feel if Joe Gets knocked out in whatever form, his career will have always looked 2nd rate even though he's had a couple of Super Wins but they've been mostly on 'home turf'.

Gr8 Champs fight the best there is in the hardest of places to do that in (usually away as such) - for me if Joe beats B-Hop in Vegas that will Rubber stamp him as an all time gr8 - he deserves it but he hasnt fought in Vegas and I believe he should have done by now - Thats his Promoters fault, no-one elses.

[WildWaylon]

Reading your post two names immediately came into my head Buchanan and Honyghan who went overseas and became greats beating the almost unbeatable - If Joe wins his legacy is sealed but if he loses he will be a target for the critics, for the reasons aired so many times I wont repeat them - I agree Hopkins could claim Joe was his best win should it happen.

[Deserter]

In my eyes, it would be Hopkins' best win if he got it. Even better than the Trinidad one. Definitely surpasses the De La Hoya and Tarver wins (B-Hop's other standouts).

I aggree two fighters who have dominated there devisions against one another, however I think Calzaghe's would be irreprably damaged.

Yup totally agree, I for one feel if Joe Gets knocked out in whatever form, his career will have always looked 2nd rate even though he's had a couple of Super Wins but they've been mostly on 'home turf'.

Gr8 Champs fight the best there is in the hardest of places to do that in (usually away as such) - for me if Joe beats B-Hop in Vegas that will Rubber stamp him as an all time gr8 - he deserves it but he hasnt fought in Vegas and I believe he should have done by now - Thats his Promoters fault, no-one elses.

I think the Hopkins fight will be far tougher than many on this board think as I thought Hopkins looked far better at light heavy than he has done for years at middleweight, but I'm surprised you're making the case for a knockout - I can't even remember the last time Hopkins even loked close to securing a knockout whereas Joe's chin is top drawer.
I still think Calzaghe's handspeed will be the difference and he'll squeeze out a close decision win.

[Manc_Red]

I think If Calzaghe wins In Vegas v B-Hop its Joe's Finest Hour.

I Dont Believe that on the Other Hand its the Same Case though

[STP]

It would be like a Foreman-Moorer thing or whatever.

[hitman_hatton1]

In my eyes, it would be Hopkins' best win if he got it. Even better than the Trinidad one. Definitely surpasses the De La Hoya and Tarver wins (B-Hop's other standouts).

I aggree two fighters who have dominated there devisions against one another, however I think Calzaghe's would be irreprably damaged.

i don't.

he's already proved himself one of the best super middleweights ever.

obviously it would take a hit.

but not damage it out of sight.

[Manc_Red]

Ricky is over there testing himself against the best and my hat is off to him, he is putting himself into the lions den and going back to the UK unless its against a top 4 in the world would be a mistake.

Basically what i'm trying to say is Joe is nearly finished he's left it 2 late maybe 5 years at least 2 late to go over - if that's FW's fault so be it, but unless he wins this fight he cant be called one of the All Time Great Champions because he hasnt fought enough against the best.

I love the Guy and I hope he does B-Hop

[n1ebf]

I aggree two fighters who have dominated there devisions against one another, however I think Calzaghe's would be irreprably damaged.

Yup totally agree, I for one feel if Joe Gets knocked out in whatever form, his career will have always looked 2nd rate even though he's had a couple of Super Wins but they've been mostly on 'home turf'.

Gr8 Champs fight the best there is in the hardest of places to do that in (usually away as such) - for me if Joe beats B-Hop in Vegas that will Rubber stamp him as an all time gr8 - he deserves it but he hasnt fought in Vegas and I believe he should have done by now - Thats his Promoters fault, no-one elses.

I think the Hopkins fight will be far tougher than many on this board think as I thought Hopkins looked far better at light heavy than he has done for years at middleweight, but I'm surprised you're making the case for a knockout - I can't even remember the last time Hopkins even loked close to securing a knockout whereas Joe's chin is top drawer.
I still think Calzaghe's handspeed will be the difference and he'll squeeze out a close decision win.

well done Deserter for providing a timely reminder, were one needed, that Hopkins, despite the miles on the clock, is still one of the toughest fighters around.

he lives in the gym apparently. Expect him to box like a man 10 years his junior.

Altough due to Joe's combination of sheer workrate and skills I think this could be the first time B-Hop is made to start seriosly puffing.

[josh fg]

In my eyes, it would be Hopkins' best win if he got it. Even better than the Trinidad one. Definitely surpasses the De La Hoya and Tarver wins (B-Hop's other standouts).

I aggree two fighters who have dominated there devisions against one another, however I think Calzaghe's would be irreprably damaged.

i don't.

he's already proved himself one of the best super middleweights ever.

obviously it would take a hit.

but not damage it out of sight.

Well if he loses people will say with some justification if he had tested himself against the best earlier we'd have just remembered him as a good SMW, and hopkins proves it. If he beats Hopkins then that will not be the case.

I can't think of anyone else realy worth fighting as LHW bar woods though so don't know where he would go from there. Who holds WBC/WBA belts.

[Asterix]

IBF = Clinton Woods
WBA = Danny Green
WBC = Chad Dawson
WBO = Zsolt Erdei

[KO Artist]

Would Hopkins' legacy be enhanced if he beat Calzaghe, even though it's already secure?

Hopkins best has to be the stoppage of Trinidad, followed closely by his stoppage of Glen Johnson.

[johnswan1]

I think Hopkins is a live underdog in this fight. Joe's fight against Lacey looks the absolute peak and his output dipped a little in the fights since. Kessler was a good win but the main memory from the fight is the right hands he landed, although it must be said it probably sticks out because of how good Calzaghe has been.

I just have this sneaky feeling that Hopkins can smother Joe, lower the pace and land enough sneaky shots to nick a tight verdict in a stinker of a fight. Joe's best against Kessler was when he was showing how imaginative he is and I just hope he can take that abroad and perform, if he does he beats Hopkins but it wil still be a points job.

Someone in Vegas tells me that Joe looked Ok doing the face-to-face on camera but off-camera Hopkins got all menacing for a second and Joe looked like he thought Hopkins was about to do something crazy.

Could be idle chat but you never know how things will pan out. Hopkins is still a canny, if somewhat boring, fighter. Joe is at the higher scale of ability but Hopkins is a master at dragging guys down to a level that suits his canny approach.

A stoppage win for Joe would be off the charts and put him in a great spot historically.

Good post, a stoppage win for either man would be career defining IMO. Can't see it happening though. I think Calzaghe has more to lose than Hopkins but whomever wins will have their legacy enhanced a huge amount.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

If Joe doesnt win he will be a target for critics?

You mean you bunch of fornicating crying old women, unable to see further than your own nose?

[Poncey]

I think Hopkins is a live underdog in this fight. Joe's fight against Lacey looks the absolute peak and his output dipped a little in the fights since. Kessler was a good win but the main memory from the fight is the right hands he landed, although it must be said it probably sticks out because of how good Calzaghe has been.

I just have this sneaky feeling that Hopkins can smother Joe, lower the pace and land enough sneaky shots to nick a tight verdict in a stinker of a fight. Joe's best against Kessler was when he was showing how imaginative he is and I just hope he can take that abroad and perform, if he does he beats Hopkins but it wil still be a points job.

Someone in Vegas tells me that Joe looked Ok doing the face-to-face on camera but off-camera Hopkins got all menacing for a second and Joe looked like he thought Hopkins was about to do something crazy.

Could be idle chat but you never know how things will pan out. Hopkins is still a canny, if somewhat boring, fighter. Joe is at the higher scale of ability but Hopkins is a master at dragging guys down to a level that suits his canny approach.

A stoppage win for Joe would be off the charts and put him in a great spot historically.

Good post, a stoppage win for either man would be career defining IMO. Can't see it happening though. I think Calzaghe has more to lose than Hopkins but whomever wins will have their legacy enhanced a huge amount.

Hopkins is one of best I've seen at psyching his opponents before a fight. An example being his last fight where he threw punches at Ronald to get in his head.

Provided Joe can do something that Ricky couldn't do, and that's have the mental stamina to not get annoyed or scared, and keep his cool, I expect this to be a win.

But Joe has to keep pumping his jab like a German porn star, or Bernie will bore his way to a decision, again.

[observer1]

I personally feel Joe has got a lot more to Lose than B-Hop...

If B-Hop Loses, naturally Calzaghe will be looked at in the Lime-Light, and one of the Best Middle Weights, but it would be safe to say B-Hop was 42, and well, passed his Prime Atleast.

If B-Hop Wins, Calzaghe will be looked at as a Solid Excellent Boxer, due to his Big Wins, but failing to beat an Old B-Hop. B-Hop will have solidified his little legacy in boxing

Maybe wrong, but thats how i see it.

[Max Molyneux]

Will be sooooooo shocked If Hop wins, he's mediocre since the Taylor fights.

Joe's going to make this a mismatch.

[DavidPayne]

I dont think Joe is scared of Hopkins as Terry implies. Calzaghe is a hard, hard fighter with a heart the size of a bucket.

He may have been cautiously matched and he may be injury prone, but he's a hard fella who wont be intimidated by Hopkins soundbytes.

Calzaghe wont allow Hopkins to preen and pose. Its a while since Hop faced a guy with Joe's output.

[Max Molyneux]

Better cleaning out a division anyway than going up being some overrated LHW's. Calzaghe would of done the same to Tarver and would of stopped a fat Winky.

[Asterix]

Calzaghe is not scared of Hopkins. If he was going to show fear we would have seen it by now (against Eubank, Lacy, Kessler, or Hopkins, in their recent "chats").

I'm a fan of Joe Calzaghe. The main thing that worries me about this fight is that Hopkins might dictate how the fight goes. Sakio Bika gave us some idea of how to frustrate Calzaghe. A lot might depend on the referee for this fight.

[DavidPayne]

Sorry Terry lad. But you relayed a scene from the press conference which implied that.

[Max Molyneux]

Better cleaning out a division anyway than going up being some overrated LHW's. Calzaghe would of done the same to Tarver and would of stopped a fat Winky.

Yeah, because Hopkis did not clear out middleweight at all did he?

He cleared out when he unified and exposed Tito.

[hitman_hatton1]

Will be sooooooo shocked If Hop wins, he's mediocre since the Taylor fights.

Joe's going to make this a mismatch.

He actually boxed well in the Tarver bout and, to play advocate, went up in weight to dethrone a genuine light-heavyweight, something Calzaghe has been threatening for years but has never done. Yet.

mediocre against tarver.

ffs max.