This is Bernard Hopkins's fight

STP · Post by **STP** » 21 Feb 2008, 00:13

Watching the following interview:

http://fightbeat.com/videos.php?id=119

I got this strange aura from Hopkins that I just know he's going to win this fight. I got it when I saw Floyd Mayweather dancing for photographers at the Hatton weigh-in, there was an aura he gave off where I just knew at that moment - despite Hatton's long insistance that there was no way in hell he wouldn't win - that he was going to win the thing. I saw it when Mayweather emerged in the arena on the night too, where you could sense an aura that he was just going to win the thing - total relaxation/inner confidence in his face. You'll see the same when Hopkins comes out for this one.

He'll constantly get off first with right hands, hurt Calzaghe with every right hand, and land them on the breaks too. He'll hit hips, limbs, whatever he can get. He'll use head, elbows, forerams or whatever he can use. And it'll be a gradual beatdown, with Calzaghe folding.

charlieb · Post by **charlieb** » 21 Feb 2008, 01:55

Admiring their auras were you?

STP · Post by **STP** » 21 Feb 2008, 03:04

One of Hopkins's trainers: http://www.spam.com/pages/content2000.html

They do seem to be underestimating Calzaghe, but then we thought that with Camp Mayweather underestimating Hatton, didn't we?

Greg Nicholas · Post by **Greg Nicholas** » 21 Feb 2008, 03:05

have to admit when i saw on 24/7 Mayweather takin the piss out of Ricky in training and blocking the bodyshots, i thought to myself that he really IS confident but not in a deluded way (which maybe Rickywas, slightly deluded), and really DOESN'T rate Ricky at all..

Greg Nicholas · Post by **Greg Nicholas** » 21 Feb 2008, 03:14

Hopkins is a dark character.. and maybe demon-possessed..

GlobalBox · Post by **GlobalBox** » 21 Feb 2008, 03:19

STP wrote:Watching the following interview:

http://fightbeat.com/videos.php?id=119

I got this strange aura from Hopkins that I just know he's going to win this fight. I got it when I saw Floyd Mayweather dancing for photographers at the Hatton weigh-in, there was an aura he gave off where I just knew at that moment - despite Hatton's long insistance that there was no way in hell he wouldn't win - that he was going to win the thing. I saw it when Mayweather emerged in the arena on the night too, where you could sense an aura that he was just going to win the thing - total relaxation/inner confidence in his face. You'll see the same when Hopkins comes out for this one.

He'll constantly get off first with right hands, hurt Calzaghe with every right hand, and land them on the breaks too. He'll hit hips, limbs, whatever he can get. He'll use head, elbows, forerams or whatever he can use. And it'll be a gradual beatdown, with Calzaghe folding.

The big difference between the two is that in the Mayweather/Hatton fight, the Pretty Boy had so much more natural ability than Hatton and barring a Castillo like body shot was always going to win.

Now I know you don't think Hopkins has anything like the abilities that Calzaghe has, surely. This is an old man who could not beat Taylor in two attempts and who beat an uninterested and finished Tarver at this weight. The Wright win looks ok until you factor in the 10lb above his best weight that Ronald was fighting at.

Sure Hopkins could catch Calzaghe coming in and ko him, not impossible but very unlikely. He can hit as many hips and arms and use as much head as he wants but lets see how he likes working for three minutes a round and getting hit from angles he had forgotten existed.

This is as close as you can get to a straight forward fight (in a superfight), Hopkins has to ko Calzaghe to win this fight and for the life of me I cannot see that happening. Hopkins pride will get him through to the end but the worse case scenario is around the 118-110 mark for Joe.

ALI · Post by **ALI** » 21 Feb 2008, 04:00

When this fight was first announced most people appeared to be of the opinion that it would be a cake walk for Calzaghe, but the tide has definately started to turn on that view point.

I have to favour Calzaghe, but Hopkins will be in it thats for sure. The problem for Hopkins is, even if he manages to land the better quality shots all night, Calzaghe is still more than like'ly to take it on work rate anyway.

I'm leaning 75/25 in favour of Calzaghe, but i'm not convinced about how clear his victory will be. There is still a big debate going on as to who the rightfull winner of Pavlik/Taylor 2 was....... it could be that we have a similar situation after this fight?

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 21 Feb 2008, 04:33

ALI wrote:When this fight was first announced most people appeared to be of the opinion that it would be a cake walk for Calzaghe, but the tide has definately started to turn on that view point.

I have to favour Calzaghe, but Hopkins will be in it thats for sure. The problem for Hopkins is, even if he manages to land the better quality shots all night, Calzaghe is still more than like'ly to take it on work rate anyway.

I'm leaning 75/25 in favour of Calzaghe, but i'm not convinced about how clear his victory will be. There is still a big debate going on as to who the rightfull winner of Pavlik/Taylor 2 was....... it could be that we have a similar situation after this fight?

Pretty much sums up my stance. I'm concerned about Hopkins' ability to time the right hand as Joe's been open to that throughout his career, and also his ability to smother and disrupt Joe's rhythm. In worst case scenario I can see Hopkins throwing a lot of single rights and then leaning in to smother and tie up Joe to prevent him working.
However, I think the big difference with the Hatton/Mayweather analogy is that Joe has shown a strong ability to adjust his style - never better illustrated than in his recent bout with Kessler. His workrate and flexibility in approach should be enough to secure a hard-fought points win, but I just can't envisage the cakewalk that some are predicting.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 21 Feb 2008, 04:44

There's no doubt in my mind that Joe needs to bring his A-Game. His doesn't, he'll lose simple.

That said, I'm fairly confident he'll win by 3 or 4 points.

BAMBI · Post by **BAMBI** » 21 Feb 2008, 04:47

yeah Hopkins is a funny guy in a azz hole way..he preaches about showing respect to the national anthem, but not too long ago, he threw down the PR flag prior to the Tito fight!!

Crew2 · Post by **Crew2** » 21 Feb 2008, 04:56

'B-HOP' IS A BLABBERING IDIOT AND PUSSYCAT INSIDE

I DO LIKE THE GIMP MASK, THO

AND WE'LL NEVER SEE A 43 YR OLD MAN FOR THE REST OF BOXING HISTORY LIVE WITH OR EVEN GET A FIGHT WITH ONE OF THE BEST 'P4P' FIGHTERS

SHAME JOE DIDN'T GO STATESIDE IN 01 AND FORCE A PRIME FIGHT, BUT THANKS TO HATTON AND GOLDENBOY HE'S GETTING A HUGE PAY CHEQUE WHICH IS WHAT ITS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT FOR JOE, ONLY I DONT THINK GOLDENBOY OR YANK TV (OR THE CASINOS) WILL BE TO PLEASED WHEN NOT A FRACTION OF TAFFS FILL VEGAS LIKE THE MANCS DID

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 21 Feb 2008, 06:24

IMO the winner of this fight can be determined in one word 'Workrate'.

Neither fighter is getting knocked out in this one and whilst Nard will make it awkward and uncomfortable for Calzaghe for the full 12 rounds, the fact that he throws 4 times as many punches as B-Hop will be the telling factor on the scorecards IMO

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 21 Feb 2008, 07:03

I don't think there is much point comparing this fight to PBF-Hatton mainly due to the difference in the ages of the protaganists.

If Hopkins was 5/6 years younger then yes.

Looking at his defeats to Taylor (however close they might have been) and Taylor's subsequent showings it doesn't bode well for Hopkins.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 21 Feb 2008, 07:05

Taylor beat him predominantly on workrate, and it's not like Taylor is exactly Mr. Stamina now is it?

Hopkins is going to get beaten into a cocked hat here. I think the same would have been true 5-6 years ago also.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 21 Feb 2008, 07:43

Big difference between this fight and Floyd/Hatton, is most people, outside the diehard Brit fans, thought PBF was going to win. The P4P World champ was rightly a big favorite.

And Joe is rightly the favorite here.

I'm glad BH is talking such a good fight, it'll start turning up the heat and create a Big fight atmosphere hopefully.

BH is so persuasive, and such a good salesman, he'll no doubt have a lot of people believing he's the favorite in the lead up to the fight. That's great, because it's really going to motivate Joe.

No way will Hop intimidate Calzaghe - Joe has done it all and has that dead certain inner belief that comes from 10 years at the top.

Hopkins is as crafty as hell, but Calzaghe will find a way to beat him. He'd have beaten him 6 years ago as well.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 21 Feb 2008, 07:48

I think that Calzaghe is just that bit better than Hopkins. His resume may not be as impressive, but does anyone hear doubt that Calzaghe would have thumped the living daylights out of Tito? Or Oscar?

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 21 Feb 2008, 08:28

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think that Calzaghe is just that bit better than Hopkins. His resume may not be as impressive, but does anyone hear doubt that Calzaghe would have thumped the living daylights out of Tito? Or Oscar?

But Calzaghe would have to amputate to get to 160.

I just have a nasty feeling about this, but I tend to about every fight involving an overseas decent fighter.

The only one I was convinced was Hatton v Mayweather. Shows how much I know!

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 21 Feb 2008, 13:21

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPpacU-WGto&e

Hopkins can't piss real fighters off.

StepinFetchit · Post by **StepinFetchit** » 21 Feb 2008, 15:03

Max Molyneux wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPpacU-WGto&e

Hopkins can't piss real fighters off.

Both Hopkins & Calzaghe are bluffing and fronting on each other, it's been well reported that Calzaghe has had mental breakdowns right before fights against far less intimidating opponants that Hopkins, so his show of ultra confidence should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Hopkins also contradicts himself in nearly every sentence, maybe he will take a leaf out of PBF's book and actually commit to deliver a beat down and not just talk a good fight.

I think Calzaghe is finding comfort in Hopkins advanced age, where as deep down i think Hopkins knows he is going to have to perform better than he has for years to pull off the win.

I would put money on Hopkins mentally holding it together better leading up to the fight that Calzaghe, Hopkins has not even warmed up with the mind games yet..... also Calzaghe is injury prone, if he gets an injury leading up to the fight or hurts his hands early he could start to not see himself as the sure thing he thinks he is.

observer1 · Post by **observer1** » 21 Feb 2008, 15:52

i dont' see Calzaghe Losing.

I mean lets bear realistic... Hopkins is a Legend in the Boxing World, a Talented Boxer, but he is 43.....Past his best.

He will probably give it a good Fight, but the Younger Calzaghe, more in His Prime will have to much of a better work-rate for B Hop.

Hatton-Mayweather was a whole different Story... They were both in the Prime, or considered to be, undefeated and the bout really was an Intresting one.

This is like a Holyfield - Imbramigov..

Holyfield is still Good, but too old and too passed his Best to consider Being on Top.... He will give it a good show, but wont win.

StepinFetchit · Post by **StepinFetchit** » 21 Feb 2008, 16:35

observer1 wrote:i dont' see Calzaghe Losing.

I mean lets bear realistic... Hopkins is a Legend in the Boxing World, a Talented Boxer, but he is 43.....Past his best.

He will probably give it a good Fight, but the Younger Calzaghe, more in His Prime will have to much of a better work-rate for B Hop.

Hatton-Mayweather was a whole different Story... They were both in the Prime, or considered to be, undefeated and the bout really was an Intresting one.

This is like a Holyfield - Imbramigov..

Holyfield is still Good, but too old and too passed his Best to consider Being on Top.... He will give it a good show, but wont win.

Calzaghe will be 36 by the time this fight takes place.

GazMan85 · Post by **GazMan85** » 21 Feb 2008, 18:52

I think that what BHop said in the interview just doesn't make sense. He said that he will be the one to mix things up, and stop Joe throwing punches. Calzaghe is not all about throwing hundred of punches, but if throwing hundreds of punches wins the fight then i'm sure that is what he will do. If Joe needs to adapt then that is one of his best traits, (best shown against Kessler). He will fight the person that is in front of him at the time of the fight.

IMO I think Joe will still manage to unload the combo's that he is famous for. BHop will try adn spoil him, but this is where Joe will come into his own and find ways to out point BHop,

I would score it 5 or 6 rounds to Joe. And we all know the Judges in the Sates tend to award agression, and this is what Joe brings.

Grilling Machine · Post by **Grilling Machine** » 21 Feb 2008, 21:49

I remember thinking that Steve Collins looked apprehensive in the build-up to the first Benn fight. Nigel seemed pretty dispirited, but I still fancied his chances of landing the big shot. Confidence is overrated.

states · Post by **states** » 21 Feb 2008, 22:06

I was given Calzaghe's book for Christmas. In it, he says one of his biggest problems is self belief: he's not a confident person by nature. However, he goes on to say that he finds himself when he gets in a boxing ring, and then he knows he's going to win . I cannot see anything other than a Calzaghe win here. He's got all the physical advantages, and whatever Hopkins says outside the ring, whatever he tries to unsettle Joe with, Enzo Calzaghe will be there countering. Because no matter how much Joe doesn't believe in Himself, Enzo, as the book goes on to say, most certainly does. When Calzaghe gets into that ring, he'll beat Hopkins.

Hopkins has been overrated for at least 5 years. Terrific win over Trinidad, no doubting that, and yes, his reign at middleweight was not to be sniffed at. But can you honestly say you watched Hopkins-Eastman and thought to yourself "yes, Hopkins is the best fighter in the world". And christ, Hopkins' two losses to Taylor have been swept under the carpet ridiculously quickly.

It'll no doubt be a scrappy fight, because Hopkins will be too cute (i.e. dirty) to let himself get outclassed. But there's only one winner. I'd have picked Joe 6 years ago, and I'm not going to change that pick now.

states · Post by **states** » 21 Feb 2008, 22:35

Max Molyneux wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPpacU-WGto&e

Hopkins can't piss real fighters off.

Max, it's not often I agree with you, but that clip is funny as hell. No way is Calzaghe intimidated by Hopkins. He's got that look about him, the same one he had for Lacy and Kessler. He just knows he's going to win. Hopkins may be a tougher fighter, in theory, than Lacy or Kessler, but Calzaghe knows it's a bigger occasion. And Calzaghe rises to the big occasion. He may not seek the celebrity lifestyle, he may not want the attention. But I'm convinced Calzaghe loves the big occasion when it comes to boxing. He feels at home, and he delivers. Calzaghe will surely win this on the cards.

This is Bernard Hopkins's fight

This is Bernard Hopkins's fight

Re: This is Bernard Hopkins's fight