Bernard said Joe already has two losses!

[Autobarn]

BIG DEALL

IF JC CAME OUT OF PRISON FOR 5 YRS HE'D LOSE ON HIS DEBUT

IF JC FOUGHT ROY JONES, HE'D OF LOST

IF JC FOUGHT THE LEADING SMW CONTENDER IN 2012, HE'D LOSE TWICE

So Hopkins lost his debut because he used to be in prison You do realise he did have time to train for his debut, he didn't jump straight into the ring after walking out the prison gates !!

And what makes you think Calzaghe would be beaten by whoever is the leading SMW contender in 2012...can you see into the future? What a dumb statement

The facts are Calzaghe is unbeaten and Hopkins isn't.

That doesn't men a thing.

Calzaghe is unbeaten because he was matched safely throughout his career.

Even the big fights, it was Lacy and Kessler who came to him. When he finally takes on Hopkins, the opponent will be 43 years old. Calzaghe has been matched with fear of losing for 11 years, so come on with the "unbeaten" stuff.

Joe would probably have lost if he'd fought Glen Johnson in 2004. He didn't seem to be taking his title reign seriously and his performances were slipping...

There is the right time and the wrong time. And Joe gets all his opponents at the right time.

[Autobarn]

I suppose the one thing Calzaghe can hope for is they in boxing you can get old and past it over night - it will happen all of a sudden - just when you think everything will go right the body says f*ck off I have had enough of this sh*t - will that happen to Hopkins?

If it doesn't - then Calzaghe is perhaps in for a lot harder fight than he expects.

Somehow someway - Calzaghe has to get to old man Hopkins and not let him off the hook.

I will keep saying it - I want Calzaghe to win - but as Calzaghe comes charging in - lets face it he will leave himself wide open for Hopkins to pop out the jab before he runs away again.

I just can't see this as a fight at all - Calzaghe will make an awful lot of friends because he will as usual turn up to fight - Hopkins cannot afford to or he will get battered.

Be prepared for the steal of the century!!!! -- Hopkins will scupper the fans in attendance and those watching on TV a real good fight.

The American commentators will be screaming for every punch Hopkins lands and will it influence the judges.

Also Calzaghe is getting older. Were his hads really that fast vs Kessler, Manfredo and Bika? Or was it just that he throws the shots incorerectly, with a mere flick of the wrist at times, that it's easier to flap them out at speed?

Joe's legs looked bad vs Kessler. Lot of times he shot a left hand, and stepped too far forward with his left foot. This meant he either stepped into an orthodox stance, or leaned forward with his chin sticking out.

Joe is as hittable as Dawson. Maybe it will be different with him feeling stronger at light heavyweight, the balance and the reflexes holding up better.

[Asterix]

Also Calzaghe is getting older. Were his hads really that fast vs Kessler, Manfredo and Bika? Or was it just that he throws the shots incorerectly, with a mere flick of the wrist at times, that it's easier to flap them out at speed?

Joe's legs looked bad vs Kessler. Lot of times he shot a left hand, and stepped too far forward with his left foot. This meant he either stepped into an orthodox stance, or leaned forward with his chin sticking out.

Joe is as hittable as Dawson.

If you're right then Hopkins will win, if you're wrong then Calzaghe will win.

[fist]

I suppose the one thing Calzaghe can hope for is they in boxing you can get old and past it over night - it will happen all of a sudden - just when you think everything will go right the body says f*ck off I have had enough of this sh*t - will that happen to Hopkins?

If it doesn't - then Calzaghe is perhaps in for a lot harder fight than he expects.

Somehow someway - Calzaghe has to get to old man Hopkins and not let him off the hook.

I will keep saying it - I want Calzaghe to win - but as Calzaghe comes charging in - lets face it he will leave himself wide open for Hopkins to pop out the jab before he runs away again.

I just can't see this as a fight at all - Calzaghe will make an awful lot of friends because he will as usual turn up to fight - Hopkins cannot afford to or he will get battered.

Be prepared for the steal of the century!!!! -- Hopkins will scupper the fans in attendance and those watching on TV a real good fight.

The American commentators will be screaming for every punch Hopkins lands and will it influence the judges.

Also Calzaghe is getting older. Were his hads really that fast vs Kessler, Manfredo and Bika? Or was it just that he throws the shots incorerectly, with a mere flick of the wrist at times, that it's easier to flap them out at speed?

Joe's legs looked bad vs Kessler. Lot of times he shot a left hand, and stepped too far forward with his left foot. This meant he either stepped into an orthodox stance, or leaned forward with his chin sticking out.

Joe is as hittable as Dawson. Maybe it will be different with him feeling stronger at light heavyweight, the balance and the reflexes holding up better.

Mate with al due respect, it doesnt work like that. Calzaghe has speed and amazing stamina, it isnt just him flicking his wrists. He punches with accuracy, in combos, good use of angles and does it with blistering speed. Get in a ring and try do it against a world class fighter like Kessler... its talent, athleticism and practice. Not some illusion. Have a look at Joes recent workout sessions posted on the Current forum and you'll what I mean - he is in awsome shape, fast and powerful.. Also check out Hopkins recent work outs also posted on the other forum, and you'll see just how slow, tired and inneffective he is looking.

[Mimmy]

Hopkins' win over Tarver is looking pretty good now.

i don't agree. Woods has said that he froze in this fight. hopkins is talking a good fight, why shouldn't he, he thinks he is going to win. Hopkins isn't going to quote. 'Well Calzaghe is a good fighter, sure i'm over the hill by a few years and this is a factor to the fight. of course Joe is going to win he will proberly stop me in the later rounds, but what the hell im making millions'

Joe will kick the guys ass, no doubt. ive never been so convinced since i had a bet on Lennox Lewis to stop Derek Williams in 2 rounds.

This will proberly be Calzaghe's best figh tto date, he will make a mock of the american.

As sure as houses are houses joe is going to do a number on Bernard. Take a look at the betting all the bookmakers know who is going to win

[STP]

Tarver says he was 235 against Stallone, and that he was twice as weight-drained against Hopkins as Jones was in their (Jones-Tarver) first fight. But then, this is Tarver.

[Autobarn]

I suppose the one thing Calzaghe can hope for is they in boxing you can get old and past it over night - it will happen all of a sudden - just when you think everything will go right the body says f*ck off I have had enough of this sh*t - will that happen to Hopkins?

If it doesn't - then Calzaghe is perhaps in for a lot harder fight than he expects.

Somehow someway - Calzaghe has to get to old man Hopkins and not let him off the hook.

I will keep saying it - I want Calzaghe to win - but as Calzaghe comes charging in - lets face it he will leave himself wide open for Hopkins to pop out the jab before he runs away again.

I just can't see this as a fight at all - Calzaghe will make an awful lot of friends because he will as usual turn up to fight - Hopkins cannot afford to or he will get battered.

Be prepared for the steal of the century!!!! -- Hopkins will scupper the fans in attendance and those watching on TV a real good fight.

The American commentators will be screaming for every punch Hopkins lands and will it influence the judges.

Also Calzaghe is getting older. Were his hads really that fast vs Kessler, Manfredo and Bika? Or was it just that he throws the shots incorerectly, with a mere flick of the wrist at times, that it's easier to flap them out at speed?

Joe's legs looked bad vs Kessler. Lot of times he shot a left hand, and stepped too far forward with his left foot. This meant he either stepped into an orthodox stance, or leaned forward with his chin sticking out.

Joe is as hittable as Dawson. Maybe it will be different with him feeling stronger at light heavyweight, the balance and the reflexes holding up better.

Mate with al due respect, it doesnt work like that. Calzaghe has speed and amazing stamina, it isnt just him flicking his wrists. He punches with accuracy, in combos, good use of angles and does it with blistering speed. Get in a ring and try do it against a world class fighter like Kessler... its talent, athleticism and practice. Not some illusion. Have a look at Joes recent workout sessions posted on the Current forum and you'll what I mean - he is in awsome shape, fast and powerful.. Also check out Hopkins recent work outs also posted on the other forum, and you'll see just how slow, tired and inneffective he is looking.

Look at the Kessler fight again. WTF was wrong with Calzaghe's left leg? Why was he bending so far forward with his chin open to counters? Has he got back problems?

Either his strength/reflexes were going. This is possibly down to weight draining, or just age. OR, he still makes the same old error of flurrying when his feet aren't in position. This may be a weakness in his come-forward game.

"It doesn't work like that"? What, you mean Joe leaving himself open and eating right hand leads? Let's see. It is a real possiility.

Maybe at 175 he's better physically. But will the tactics be spot on? Or will he lunge still? Or will he draw Hopkins' lead and make Hopkins lunge?

He still is fast but viewing the Kessler fight again his shots weren't so great. Some were good, many were little flicks just to break the rhythm.


Joe did very well to beat Kessler. Calzaghe fans must've been shitting thhemselves over the first half because right hands can't miss him at this level. But he did win a bit ugly, if we're being frank. Is Joe a great fighter who can simply break the rules? Or is he wide effing open? Will we truly find out if Bernard is too old to capitalise on the openings? Intrigue in Vegas!

[Controversial]

Also Calzaghe is getting older. Were his hads really that fast vs Kessler, Manfredo and Bika? Or was it just that he throws the shots incorerectly, with a mere flick of the wrist at times, that it's easier to flap them out at speed?

Joe's legs looked bad vs Kessler. Lot of times he shot a left hand, and stepped too far forward with his left foot. This meant he either stepped into an orthodox stance, or leaned forward with his chin sticking out.

Joe is as hittable as Dawson. Maybe it will be different with him feeling stronger at light heavyweight, the balance and the reflexes holding up better.

Mate with al due respect, it doesnt work like that. Calzaghe has speed and amazing stamina, it isnt just him flicking his wrists. He punches with accuracy, in combos, good use of angles and does it with blistering speed. Get in a ring and try do it against a world class fighter like Kessler... its talent, athleticism and practice. Not some illusion. Have a look at Joes recent workout sessions posted on the Current forum and you'll what I mean - he is in awsome shape, fast and powerful.. Also check out Hopkins recent work outs also posted on the other forum, and you'll see just how slow, tired and inneffective he is looking.

Look at the Kessler fight again. WTF was wrong with Calzaghe's left leg? Why was he bending so far forward with his chin open to counters? Has he got back problems?

Either his strength/reflexes were going. This is possibly down to weight draining, or just age. OR, he still makes the same old error of flurrying when his feet aren't in position. This may be a weakness in his come-forward game.

"It doesn't work like that"? What, you mean Joe leaving himself open and eating right hand leads? Let's see. It is a real possiility.

Maybe at 175 he's better physically. But will the tactics be spot on? Or will he lunge still? Or will he draw Hopkins' lead and make Hopkins lunge?

He still is fast but viewing the Kessler fight again his shots weren't so great. Some were good, many were little flicks just to break the rhythm.


Joe did very well to beat Kessler. Calzaghe fans must've been shitting thhemselves over the first half because right hands can't miss him at this level. But he did win a bit ugly, if we're being frank. Is Joe a great fighter who can simply break the rules? Or is he wide effing open? Will we truly find out if Bernard is too old to capitalise on the openings? Intrigue in Vegas!

But Joe still easily beat Kessler and Lacy. You don't do that by accident, you do need some talent. People forget how much Lacy and Kessler were being tipped to beat Joe, then when it came to the fight they were simply outclassed.

[Asterix]

Tarver says he was 235 against Stallone, and that he was twice as weight-drained against Hopkins as Jones was in their (Jones-Tarver) first fight. But then, this is Tarver.

Here's a good photo:

[m1kee50]

Tarver says he was 235 against Stallone, and that he was twice as weight-drained against Hopkins as Jones was in their (Jones-Tarver) first fight. But then, this is Tarver.

Here's a good photo:

ADDRIIIEEEENNNNNEEEEEE!!!!!

[whiskey]

I think people are getting suckered into Hopkin's secret agenda here slightly.

The success of this fight hinges on Calzaghe being able to get his shots off and then get back out of there before Hopkins can counter and claim him.

Hopkins will fight like Quintana against Williams - he will know that Calzaghe will come with a higher-output than his usual oponent and will look to step in and counter him over the top, whilst weaving around the ropes away from attack.

But,

There is not just a physical battle - there is a mental battle going on too.

All said and done, Hopkins has been here time and time again - the cacophony of boo's that greeted the 'executioner' when he came in to fight Felix Trinidad, shortly after the spetember 11th bombings was deafening.

Yet he silenced everyone of the the WBA champion's supporters who thought felix was too strong, too fast to powerful for the older Hopkins.

Likewise he didn't get much of a chance against De La Hoya and at 39 was deemed a points-loss waiting to happen, yet he stopped Oscar for the only time in his boxing career.

Tarver was a similar story - out came the rocking chair. And Tarver had a nice long training camp for that fight.

And he defeated Winky, sure it was ugly but has anyone looked good against the turtle defence of Wright?

They all had their own attributes - Felix was a banger, Oscar was a slick boxer, Tarver was a big 6'2 Southpaw who KO'd Jones and Wright had this impregnable defence.

Yet Hopkins beat them all.

His loss against Jones was hardly the beat-down from hell and his two other points losses were debatable too.

Calzaghe could have had a loss against Reid had he lost the split decision back then.

I just think time and time and time again... Hopkins has been wrote off yet has came up trumps.

It's his promotion, in his fight city at arguably his weight - surely that counts for something.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think people are getting suckered into Hopkin's secret agenda here slightly.

The success of this fight hinges on Calzaghe being able to get his shots off and then get back out of there before Hopkins can counter and claim him.

Hopkins will fight like Quintana against Williams - he will know that Calzaghe will come with a higher-output than his usual oponent and will look to step in and counter him over the top, whilst weaving around the ropes away from attack.

But,

There is not just a physical battle - there is a mental battle going on too.

All said and done, Hopkins has been here time and time again - the cacophony of boo's that greeted the 'executioner' when he came in to fight Felix Trinidad, shortly after the spetember 11th bombings was deafening.

Yet he silenced everyone of the the WBA champion's supporters who thought felix was too strong, too fast to powerful for the older Hopkins.

Likewise he didn't get much of a chance against De La Hoya and at 39 was deemed a points-loss waiting to happen, yet he stopped Oscar for the only time in his boxing career.

Tarver was a similar story - out came the rocking chair. And Tarver had a nice long training camp for that fight.

And he defeated Winky, sure it was ugly but has anyone looked good against the turtle defence of Wright?

They all had their own attributes - Felix was a banger, Oscar was a slick boxer, Tarver was a big 6'2 Southpaw who KO'd Jones and Wright had this impregnable defence.

Yet Hopkins beat them all.

His loss against Jones was hardly the beat-down from hell and his two other points losses were debatable too.

Calzaghe could have had a loss against Reid had he lost the split decision back then.

I just think time and time and time again... Hopkins has been wrote off yet has came up trumps.

It's his promotion, in his fight city at arguably his weight - surely that counts for something.

Hopkins was the favourite against DLH. What's the big deal about him wining that, Oscar is a natural 140 lb fighter.

[DavidPayne]

Tarver says he was 235 against Stallone, and that he was twice as weight-drained against Hopkins as Jones was in their (Jones-Tarver) first fight. But then, this is Tarver.

Tarver wasn't 235....in that picture I'd say he looks 215 tops.

[Kilburn]

I just think time and time and time again... Hopkins has been wrote off yet has came up trumps.

Except against Jermain Taylor, where he lost 2 fights out of 2.

I think this fight with Calzaghe is going to be one ugly spectacle. Hopkins looks the part still but he can't work anything like as hard as before. Fortunately against Tarver he didn't need to.

[Twinkle Toes]

Comical post by g0mez regarding Hopkins - Just comical.

Auto I see you're still seething after your 100% confident prediction of a Kessler win was proven 100% wrong.

Keep it coming though, because eventually Calzaghe will lose, although it wont be this weekend and you can then rest in peace.

[whiskey]

Glad it made you laugh Twinkle.

[Deserter]

The success of this fight hinges on Calzaghe being able to get his shots off and then get back out of there before Hopkins can counter and claim him.

Hopkins will fight like Quintana against Williams - he will know that Calzaghe will come with a higher-output than his usual oponent and will look to step in and counter him over the top, whilst weaving around the ropes away from attack.

But,

There is not just a physical battle - there is a mental battle going on too.

I think that's a good interpretation. However, based on what I've seen over the past couple of days Joe looks far more relaxed than I anticipated - he seems to recognise this is 'his moment' and he's where he belongs on the global stage. I haven't seen Hopkins getting to him mentally - in direct contrast to Trinidad and Wright.

[DG.]

Tarver says he was 235 against Stallone, and that he was twice as weight-drained against Hopkins as Jones was in their (Jones-Tarver) first fight. But then, this is Tarver.

Tarver wasn't 235....in that picture I'd say he looks 215 tops.

I would say he as even less than that, plus Tarver is not a muscular fighter like Jones.

Most of that weight is water and fat.

Tarver is just not good - that is why he lost tp B-Hop

Magic Man? - I think not!