Hopkins backed out of fighting Joe years ago. The risk / reward ratio is much better now for Hopkins, who has been defeated numerous times. Now the option of fighting Joe is more palatable, with Joe still having his zero and gaining recognition for unifying the SMW division. For Joe, it just means a big payday, an initial break into LHW, a chance to display his skills in the US and to take out an old so-caled legend. As for him losing, it wont happen.
As has been said plenty of times, Hopkins spoke about the fact he did not fight Joe years ago, at the British press conference. He stated that the time wasnt right then! But that the time is right now. Well in my opinion, the only way the time could be right now for Hopkins, is because he has nothing to lose as per my reasons above. If they had have fought years ago Calzaghe would have still hammered him - have never rated Hopkins, and personally think Joe should have fought someone else.
The critics are going to have a field day criticizing Joe if he loses. First trip to the USA to face a great, they'll say, and he loses to a 43 year old. Can't you imagine the US media and Hopkins saying no wonder he stayed in Europe so long. It will damage his legacy, no doubt. Still been a fine super middle champ though.
tony3 wrote:If he loses, particularly if it's by a fair and clear decision or TKO, it will be nothing less than a catastrophe as far as his legacy is concerned.
One of the criteria for joining the pantheon of greats is the ability to deliver the goods on foreign soil against elite opposition.
but he's fighting a fellow great fighter here.
no one has beaten winky wright comfortably like hops did.
even last night we saw that tarver is pretty good as well.
Calzaghe will not lose this fight, he has to slow his punches down a bit so he does not get countered ( I mean throw 5 instead of 6 in a flurry) and never stand square on.
Calzaghe is not Hatton, he is an elite fighter, has been is wole career even if he is only now showing it.
DG. wrote:Calzaghe will not lose this fight, he has to slow his punches down a bit so he does not get countered ( I mean throw 5 instead of 6 in a flurry) and never stand square on.
Calzaghe is not Hatton, he is an elite fighter, has been is wole career even if he is only now showing it.
tony3 wrote:If he loses, particularly if it's by a fair and clear decision or TKO, it will be nothing less than a catastrophe as far as his legacy is concerned.
One of the criteria for joining the pantheon of greats is the ability to deliver the goods on foreign soil against elite opposition.
but he's fighting a fellow great fighter here.
no one has beaten winky wright comfortably like hops did.
even last night we saw that tarver is pretty good as well.
hops played with him.
it would be a hit to jc's legacy.
but nothing awful.
A lot of professional pundits are picking Calzaghe to win this (some of them justifyably IMO consider him the best fighter of his generation), if he fails to live up to their expectations I very much doubt that they will be as forgiving as you are Hitman.
Personally I've always rated Calzaghe VERY highly and if he can't manage to convincingly overcome an aging B Hop it will be no disgrace but it will indicate that he isn't nearly as good as I think he is.
I think we'll see Calzaghe refusing to lose. Unlike Woods, defeat is something he won't contemplate and this can be seen the way he tries to dominate in the ring.
