HOPKINS v CALZAGHE: YOUR FINAL PREDICTIONS

banjo · Post by **banjo** » 17 Apr 2008, 10:34

I reckon Calzaghe will win by a comfortable decision. Hope not though :)

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 17 Apr 2008, 10:42

It is a tough fight either way, anyone thinking otherwise is either delusional, or Max.

Not delusional, up to you guys what you think and I didn't post It like anyone was delusional.

He loses to Taylor, struggles with an overweight Wright who would get stopped above 12stone and fights Tarver who's pace suits Hopkin lack of workrate perfectly.

Calzaghe ain't Hatton 7lbs will suit him great and he's looking healthier than making 12stone since he's looking bigger and less skinny like at 12 stone.

Enzo says alot of things, he can back It up with a talent like Joe though. He might of had a point but Haye knocked Enzo out too early to tell since Haye has questions over him still.

Don't see much of a tough fight for Joe, Hopkins can spoil but If he survives and spoils he ain't giving a tough fight.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 17 Apr 2008, 10:46

Autobarn wrote:I dn't know. Are we all so confident due to the negatives in Hopkins (age) than the positives in Calzaghe?

Calzaghe makes a ton of mistakes - no guard vs Lacy, sloppy lef thand work that lef thim open vs Kessler. Admittedly they are good fighters but Hopkins is a kind of nightmare. A 43-year-old great fighter is always going to be defensive and try to make you look silly without doing too much themselves (Holmes-Holyfield, Ortiz-Buchanan are the cloest things I can think of even if the ages are different). In this case Hopkins has been active- at least one fight a year, sometimes two - the last few years. So he still has the ring fitness. The question is, whether Calzaghe makes enough mistakes to accommodate Hopkins.

However, Joe may be a different fighter up at 175. I thought his legs and reflexes didn't look so great vs Kessler and Bika. Maybe the added strength, fighting in a division he always should've been in, will bring extra out of Joe and allow him to do enough work in most of the rounds.

On thing cannot be denied. Hopkins had the weight advantage over Winky, who should never fight above 160, maybe even 154! Hopkins caught a weakened Tarver, just as Hopkins had gained some strength after moving up scientifically. Physically, in terms of strength/workrate, Joe could be a nightmare for Hopkins.

I don't see the matchmaking favouring Hopkins here. I think Hopkins believes that Calzaghe won't be the same outside of the UK and he could be well wrong.

CALZAGHE W12 HOPKINS

Joe can be open but he does have good boxing ability too and Is quite elusive, mostly only seen him get hit with sneaky right hands otherwise he doesn't get touched too much at all.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 17 Apr 2008, 11:03

I'm not saying Haye would of got ruined, more saying It could of been a possibility thats all as has had questionable stamina and a shaky chin himself but he crushed that possibility by winning In 2 rounds.

Can;t say much sometimes without people wanting to twist things or thinking an excuse Is being made on here and esb.

I did say a TKO win for Calzaghe not a clean KO as he could stop Hopkins on volume. Hopkins likes to wait too long and take a safety first approach which could be a mistake for him.

Whats this about being delusional anyway just because I said a tko win for Joe?

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 17 Apr 2008, 11:55

Interesting to see how the closer the fight has got, the more people have started leaning towards Hopkins. I'm still in two minds myself, but think Joe will do just enough to eek out a points decision, but I think it's going to be an ugly, messy fight, with Hopkins' right-hand counters and 'old-school' tricks making life very difficult.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 17 Apr 2008, 12:15

Max Max Max.

Dismissing Tarver or Wright, or putting a negative spin on them doesnt prove anything.

Personally i think Hopkins, love him or hate him, has a record that is above reproach.

Think hes a brand new Archie Moore, and might well have many more years on the clock just like the Mongoose.

JC might well be just another name scalp, with more to follow. His right hand would make a reet old mess of Chad Dawson, IMO.

Exoddus · Post by **Exoddus** » 17 Apr 2008, 12:23

Calzaghe by UD.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 17 Apr 2008, 12:25

Always thought it would be a scrappy affair, but as it has gotten closer I am convinced Calzaghe is going to take a big win, probably on points.

The only thing Hopkins can do better than Calzaghe is defend, and he wont win the fight defending all night throwing sneaky right hands here and there.

Basically he's old, slow, does not have concussive power and lacks a good fighting engine.

There can only be one winner :)

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 17 Apr 2008, 12:25

Calzaghe will win the decision, it'll be close.

I just don't think that Hopkins being 43-44 years old could cope with Calzaghe's hand speed; if he split decisioned Wright, I think it'll be the same with Calzaghe, only Hopkins is a little older, a little bit slower, and time will catch up with him.

Calzaghe will win the fight.

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 17 Apr 2008, 12:57

Deserter wrote:Interesting to see how the closer the fight has got, the more people have started leaning towards Hopkins. I'm still in two minds myself, but think Joe will do just enough to eek out a points decision, but I think it's going to be an ugly, messy fight, with Hopkins' right-hand counters and 'old-school' tricks making life very difficult.

I agree, it's really interesting. I've actually leaned more and more to Joe as I've seen more footage and pictures of the past few days. Hopkins looked very tight in his media workout, Calzaghe looked loose, fast and strong. Hopkins doesn't appear to have any mental edge, but we'll only see for sure on fight night.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 17 Apr 2008, 13:12

Can't believe I havn't posted my prediction yet ....

Here goes

115 - 114 Hopkins
115 - 114 Calzaghe
115 - 114 Hopkins

This fight is going to be bloody close!!!

chesh · Post by **chesh** » 17 Apr 2008, 13:39

Joe by majority decision.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 17 Apr 2008, 14:14

Chambers2 wrote:Calzaghe on points about 116-112

Agreed. The only way I can see BHop winning is by a dodgy stoppage due to an injury or cut. Hes too old now, Calzaghe will beat him on work rate alone. 5 or 6 years ago it would have been too close to call

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 17 Apr 2008, 14:25

It is a tricky one. It could win up very close or perhaps one man will fight with so much more vitality that it will be like Pac-Barrera 2 without the power.

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:01

Hopefully it's Hopkins UD.

It's going to be close but Calzaghe has never ever met anybody like the Executioner. I can understand why Calzaghe is favourite but it's not as one sided as some of the fans and pundits are predicting.

How will Calzaghe cope with fighting outside the UK and all the pressures that goes with a big US show?

How will Calzaghe fare at the higher weight? We know Hopkins adjusted without any difficulty.

Calzaghe is fine against upright Europeans like Kessler and inexperienced pups like Lacy but what happens when you put him in with spoilers like Bika and Salem? He struggles. Hopkins may be old but he isn't stupid and he certaintly isn't going to let Calzaghe throw a 100 punches a round. It's going to be messy, there will be wrestling, cuts, head clashes, holding on, punches after the bell.......this sounds just like any Hopkins fight to me and he is the master of those kind of fights if allowed to dictate the tempo.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:05

Hopkins, wide UD.

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:09

shakermaker wrote:Hopefully it's Hopkins UD.

Why "hopefully"?

Coco · Post by **Coco** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:21

Joe by majority decision(possibly a draw), but he is a clear winner in reality

Jack2007 · Post by **Jack2007** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:30

Calzaghe will have too much for Hopkins in first 6-7 rounds, leaving him too much to do and hanging on to claim unanimous points win.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:41

All Hopkins can do now is talk a good fight

As said before - Hopkins will just try to time Calzaghe coming onto that right-hand .. if that doesn`t work then he`ll try to catch him with the head

Both like to punch,grab and move their opponent .. and this is where Calzaghe needs to be carefull most .. Hopkins has this mastered better than anybody Joe has ever fought before ..

A clear win for Calzaghe if I was a betting man

If Hopkins does do it though .. it`ll be on cuts :(

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:43

lol, when have u ever seen calzaghe cut?

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:44

Asterix wrote:
shakermaker wrote:Hopefully it's Hopkins UD.
Why "hopefully"?

Hopkins is probably my favourite active boxer. I admire the guy, real old school fighter.

m1kee50 · Post by **m1kee50** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:44

Riddick Blowe wrote:lol, when have u ever seen calzaghe cut?

Vs Bika

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 17 Apr 2008, 16:02

Against Bika he was pretty bashed up ..

But as said - Hopkins will know alot more than any other fighter Joe has ever faced .. and since when was Calzaghe ... or any other fighter for that matter - not able to get cut

TheGoods · Post by **TheGoods** » 17 Apr 2008, 18:00

Calzaghe UD. This fight is coming at least half a decade too late for B-Hop. Don't buy the "Calzaghe has never met anyone like Hopkins" argument. In terms of technical ability, footwork etc Kessler is at least on Hopkins' level. A brilliant boxer. Calzagher figured him out. Hopkins will try to spoil and foul but youth will be served. Calzaghe is way too busy and won't lose the head a la Hatton in terms of the occasion etc either.