Joe Calzaghe

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 10 Mar 2008, 07:51

For one of the first times ever - I really want Joe Calzaghe to do a number in his next fight - preferably knocking out Bernard Hopkins would be excellent but dishing out a thoroughly convincing performance would be just as nice.

But - and I feel it is a big one - for me the fight is going to be a negative one and thats solely in my opinion down to Bernard Hopkins - he has no choice in my view but to box at distance and to try to get Calzaghe reaching for his punches and to consistently make the welshman miss whilst scoring every now and again with the jab - Calzaghe likes his opponents to stand there and fight him - Hopkins won't do that in a million years.

But the most crucial factor in this fight is for me the judges - this is in my view going to be one of those fights where the judges decision is going to stink the place out.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 10 Mar 2008, 08:01

It's going to be an awkward night's work and IMO a very ugly one. I wonder how much of a psychological barrier fighting so far away from home will be.

I have no doubt Calzaghe is going to do way better than Winky and Tarver, that Hopkins is a manufactured light heavy (if he's natural @ the weight why does he have to get "built up" by Shilstone as if it's the next Spinks-Holmes?) and that Joe has the speed and brains to do the job.

Would like to see Joe punish Hopkins a little bit. Hopkins I've found is a pretty revolting character, dishonest as well if his lawsuit with DiBella is anything to go by. Hopefully Joe comes back and fights Woods, if Woods is still champ.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 10 Mar 2008, 08:04

Auto,

We all know Hopkins is deluded enough to think he can do Calzaghe by out doing him with the mind games - Team Calzaghe in my view will not fall for that.

My honest opinion is - F rank W arren has his work cut out in insisting the right Ref and more importantly the right judges are chosen - mark my words it will be vital for this fight.

STP · Post by **STP** » 10 Mar 2008, 08:09

I'm not even looking forward to this fight. It's quite predictable what's going to happen, Hopkins with his old man metabolism, Calzaghe with his quick flicking straights, Hopkins going in head-first and grabbing and mauling, Calzaghe slapping, pulling away and dropping his hands, Hopkins with his old man metabolism again, Calzaghe trying to clown him but not getting close enough, Hopkins looking for the lead right hand and Calzaghe pulling away again with his hands up... repeat.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 10 Mar 2008, 08:11

I fancy nard to drop joe at soem point during the fight, Calzaghe will walk onto a right hand IMO. Still, I see Joe out pointing him and I dont see the judges giving hopkins any favours, just like they didnt againt Taylor.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 10 Mar 2008, 08:12

STP wrote:I'm not even looking forward to this fight. It's quite predictable what's going to happen, Hopkins with his old man metabolism, Calzaghe with his quick flicking straights, Hopkins going in head-first and grabbing and mauling, Calzaghe slapping, pulling away and dropping his hands, Hopkins with his old man metabolism again, Calzaghe trying to clown him but not getting close enough, Hopkins looking for the lead right hand and Calzaghe pulling away again with his hands up... repeat.

Someone said to me exactly what you have wrote yesterday.

This is where the Ref needs to do his job.

But more importantly judges who know how to score fights correctly - and not think about the previous nights promoters hospitality - are going to be vital.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 10 Mar 2008, 08:15

Hopkins will just stand and wait for him with straight right hands. Calzaghe needs to box him, if he comes tearing in, in a bid to force Hop to fight at a pace that doesn't suit him, he could well get stiffened by a counter right.

Hop is a very cute shot picker, if he gets past Hops straight shots and they big to trade inside, Hop is the master of the dark arts inside and a strong man. It would also negate all Calzaghe's hand speed.

To me, this is a fight where Calzaghe needs to box from distance, use his hand speed and keeping moving, he wants Hopkins to come forward, not retreat. Hop likes to set traps, rather than chase an opponent.

Remember Hop is well in tune with fighting southpaws too, admittedly slower less agile ones but he's in that mindset.

Despite the fact Calzaghe is faster, fresher and has better stamina, I don't view this as a foregone conclusion.

Hopkins is very, very cute, shrewd and hard to beat.

A prime Jones Jnr against a pre-peak Hop didn't have it easy and he arguably had even greater advantages of speed, movement and pop than Calzaghe.

It could be ugly though absorbing to watch.

STP · Post by **STP** » 10 Mar 2008, 08:21

Jones Jr was really quite poor in that Hopkins fight, though! He wasn't letting the right hand go, and even looked bloated and fat. Hopkins was poor, too, basically just stalking and not letting his right hand go, either. It was a poor fight.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 10 Mar 2008, 08:43

Going slightly off key, first time ever I thought Joe looked a little puffy in the face in the Haye vs Maccaranelli bill. He always seems at tops about 12 stone 7 when not fighting.... the consumate pro. However, I was a little bit concerned.

I just wondering if the new weight limit might have taken that extra intensity off.... complete and utter guess - but did anyone else think he looked a little fat.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 10 Mar 2008, 09:00

stujones wrote:He always seems at tops about 12 stone 7 when not fighting.... the consumate pro.

Stu you are crazy

The only time Joe is below 12 stone 7 is the short period before the weigh in for a big fight and after the weigh in for a short time.
I would guess at fight time he is pushing 13 stone, so when he isn't training post fight he must go close to 14.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 10 Mar 2008, 09:08

Spud wrote:
STP wrote:I'm not even looking forward to this fight. It's quite predictable what's going to happen, Hopkins with his old man metabolism, Calzaghe with his quick flicking straights, Hopkins going in head-first and grabbing and mauling, Calzaghe slapping, pulling away and dropping his hands, Hopkins with his old man metabolism again, Calzaghe trying to clown him but not getting close enough, Hopkins looking for the lead right hand and Calzaghe pulling away again with his hands up... repeat.
Someone said to me exactly what you have wrote yesterday.

This is where the Ref needs to do his job.

But more importantly judges who know how to score fights correctly - and not think about the previous nights promoters hospitality - are going to be vital.

I find Hopkins's fights as fun as picking peanuts out of poop. I fell asleep for Taylor I and II.

I think the fight was Johnson was the last watchable Hopkins fight.

The Wright fight had shocking PPV numbers.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 10 Mar 2008, 09:52

Anyone think Joe will retire after the fight regardless of the result?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 10 Mar 2008, 11:23

knockout wrote:
stujones wrote:He always seems at tops about 12 stone 7 when not fighting.... the consumate pro.

Stu you are crazy

The only time Joe is below 12 stone 7 is the short period before the weigh in for a big fight and after the weigh in for a short time.
I would guess at fight time he is pushing 13 stone, so when he isn't training post fight he must go close to 14.

Okay, bit of a guess with the weights - he obviously carries the extra pounds well - cause he looks in good shape. I didn't think he looked in good shape on Saturday. I hope I am wrong.

bridportboxer · Post by **bridportboxer** » 10 Mar 2008, 11:29

I have to say that I am not in the slightest bit excited about Calzaghe - Hopkins, the Woods - Tarver fight a week before looks like it could be a much better scrap and if Woods wins it would set up a lovely domestic clash with Calzaghe.

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 10 Mar 2008, 13:38

Spud wrote:For one of the first times ever - I really want Joe Calzaghe to do a number in his next fight - preferably knocking out Bernard Hopkins would be excellent but dishing out a thoroughly convincing performance would be just as nice.

But - and I feel it is a big one - for me the fight is going to be a negative one and thats solely in my opinion down to Bernard Hopkins - he has no choice in my view but to box at distance and to try to get Calzaghe reaching for his punches and to consistently make the welshman miss whilst scoring every now and again with the jab - Calzaghe likes his opponents to stand there and fight him - Hopkins won't do that in a million years.

But the most crucial factor in this fight is for me the judges - this is in my view going to be one of those fights where the judges decision is going to stink the place out.

I think you're right.

This fight is going to be hard for JC; although I would like to see JC totally outclass Hopkins, I can't see that happening, unless Hopkins suddenly gets old in there.

Saying all that, I can't help but think this fight is going to be ultra tedious for the fans.

Floyd · Post by **Floyd** » 10 Mar 2008, 13:46

I thought Joe looked heavy in the face as well. Really noticed it when he turned to leave right after the ref stopped in. Of course I don't konw how far he is off the weight, but he does only have a month to make it. It did concern me a bit.

tony3 · Post by **tony3** » 10 Mar 2008, 14:03

Floyd wrote:I thought Joe looked heavy in the face as well. Really noticed it when he turned to leave right after the ref stopped in. Of course I don't konw how far he is off the weight, but he does only have a month to make it. It did concern me a bit.

Ha, I noticed that too, there was definately a bit of a jiggle in his cheeks as he turned and stormed off.

As good as Calzaghe is (and I've never predicted against him before) I've got a horrible feeling that age might be starting to catch up with him.

With any luck my supisions will be proven false when he meets Hopkins.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 10 Mar 2008, 15:05

Calzaghe's hardly been damaged In his career to have age catch up with him at 36. Hopkins Is going down.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 10 Mar 2008, 16:49

Floyd wrote:I thought Joe looked heavy in the face as well. Really noticed it when he turned to leave right after the ref stopped in. Of course I don't konw how far he is off the weight, but he does only have a month to make it. It did concern me a bit.

Worrying is that I thought Joe looked in better condition in his face when they were doing the press conference tour a few weeks back.

STP · Post by **STP** » 10 Mar 2008, 23:01

Max Molyneux wrote:Calzaghe's hardly been damaged In his career to have age catch up with him at 36. Hopkins Is going down.

A boxers physical peak is 22-26.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 11 Mar 2008, 07:51

Since when Is 22-26 the peak range? He's past his peak certainly but age won't catch up to Joe at 36 yet.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 11 Mar 2008, 08:07

At last some perspective here.

Calzaghe is favourite but to write off Hopkins is madness. Even at 74 years of age.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 11 Mar 2008, 08:09

Joe doesn't go fat though like alot of pros while enjoying himself and still has Insane stamina compared to most boxers In their 20's.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 11 Mar 2008, 08:19

There is an assumption that Joe has hell making 168 and because of that he'll be even better at 175.

However, his face looked massive at the head to head with Hopkins. Especially when you see him from the side. Maybe it means nothing, as Joe has never been a physical specimen. Maybe it means he's going to slow down and be sluggish at the weight.

I hope Joe comes in at 172 or 173 for the fight.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 11 Mar 2008, 08:48

No one answered the question yet - regardless of what the result is in April - Will Calzaghe retire?

What can he do next - he supposedly fights his dream fight in Vegas - what will motivate him further?

If Woods beats Tarver which I think will happen - will Calzaghe consider that fight big enough to take on in the UK?

Joe Calzaghe

Joe Calzaghe

Re: Joe Calzaghe