Hopkins: "Eastman is tougher than Calzaghe"

Hellephant · Post by **Hellephant** » 13 Oct 2004, 07:01

Snippet from a chat session at boxingtalk.net

coaks: Hi Bernard who would you like to fight the most out of Calzaghe or Eastman. Would you come over here to England to fight them if the money was there and who do you think is the tougher fight in your opinion?

BERNARD_HOPKINS: I think the tougher fighter would be Eastman and I won't come to England to fight

Dan: Howard Eastman is by far your toughest opponent in the division, why don't you fight him?

BERNARD_HOPKINS: One is, he never fought in the States. He needs to make a real push to want to fight. All we need to do is see if HBO wants. He needs to get in line like I got in line and then he has to deliver. If he stays around long enough, he'll get a shot.

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 13 Oct 2004, 07:14

Hellephant wrote:
BERNARD_HOPKINS: One is, he never fought in the States. He needs to make a real push to want to fight. All we need to do is see if HBO wants. He needs to get in line like I got in line and then he has to deliver. If he stays around long enough, he'll get a shot.

I thought he fought Joppy in the States?

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 13 Oct 2004, 07:33

Deserter wrote:
Hellephant wrote:
BERNARD_HOPKINS: One is, he never fought in the States. He needs to make a real push to want to fight. All we need to do is see if HBO wants. He needs to get in line like I got in line and then he has to deliver. If he stays around long enough, he'll get a shot.
I thought he fought Joppy in the States?

Yeah, and lost.

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 13 Oct 2004, 07:42

knockout artist wrote:
Deserter wrote:
Hellephant wrote:
BERNARD_HOPKINS: One is, he never fought in the States. He needs to make a real push to want to fight. All we need to do is see if HBO wants. He needs to get in line like I got in line and then he has to deliver. If he stays around long enough, he'll get a shot.
I thought he fought Joppy in the States?
Yeah, and lost.

But nonetheless...

Wilko · Post by **Wilko** » 13 Oct 2004, 08:38

Does annoy me when American fighters think boxers from other countries are only any good if they have boxed in the US.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 13 Oct 2004, 08:40

Probably an oversight on Hopkins part, generally Eastman hasn’t done much stateside.

That said, the US fight fans I converse with thought highly of him after the Joppy fight (don’t know why) and wanted to see more of him. Winning them over is half the battle which makes the fact that Howard has gone backwards over the last 3 years very sad indeed.

Hopkins is wrong though, whatever I say about him Calzaghe is the tougher opponent. Never happen anyway.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 13 Oct 2004, 09:01

Eastman has done himself no favours and doesnt deserve a title shot IMO. He should be in the US fighting on Hopkins undercards or at least on some high profile shows rather than playing second fiddle to a british title fight in front of a few hundred people at an ice rink.

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 13 Oct 2004, 09:19

Goz wrote:Probably an oversight on Hopkins part, generally Eastman hasn’t done much stateside.

That said, the US fight fans I converse with thought highly of him after the Joppy fight (don’t know why) and wanted to see more of him. Winning them over is half the battle which makes the fact that Howard has gone backwards over the last 3 years very sad indeed.

Hopkins is wrong though, whatever I say about him Calzaghe is the tougher opponent. Never happen anyway.

And why should it happen?

Calzaghe is a big Super Middle and Hopkins a small Middle.

I'm fucked off with these blokes moving up and down in weight.

Zoo and Hopkins are the real deal. They dominate their division and fight everybody.

The same cant be said about Calzaghe.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 13 Oct 2004, 09:35

knockout artist wrote:
Goz wrote:Probably an oversight on Hopkins part, generally Eastman hasn’t done much stateside.

That said, the US fight fans I converse with thought highly of him after the Joppy fight (don’t know why) and wanted to see more of him. Winning them over is half the battle which makes the fact that Howard has gone backwards over the last 3 years very sad indeed.

Hopkins is wrong though, whatever I say about him Calzaghe is the tougher opponent. Never happen anyway.
And why should it happen?

Calzaghe is a big Super Middle and Hopkins a small Middle.

I'm fucked off with these blokes moving up and down in weight.

Zoo and Hopkins are the real deal. They dominate their division and fight everybody.

The same cant be said about Calzaghe.

Never said it should happen.

Hopkins is Premier League, Calzaghe Division 1 and from another weight class. JC has no right ‘calling out’ Hopkins. Pick on someone your own size or bigger, looks like he even bottled out of the move up to Light-Heavy so calling out Hopkins is rich.

J · Post by J » 13 Oct 2004, 09:36

here here KO artist, true chamnps dont weight hop unnecessarily in my book.
Ive said this before if you are struggling physically to make the weight cos you have outgrown it fine, but to do it for the sake of it is b.s. in the great scheme of things, I couldnt give a shit if someone is a ten weight champ, Im more interested in who is the best at the weight.
Was RJJ the best heavyweight , NO he wasnt, so what did it prove? That a greatly skilled all time great light heavy, can beat an average Heavyweight champ.

THanks for that. Couldnt give a monkees, who was the best at the time Lewis. Simple as that.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 13 Oct 2004, 09:51

Wilko wrote:Does annoy me when American fighters think boxers from other countries are only any good if they have boxed in the US.

i agree with thoses boxers

because

1 they have to come out of there confort zone
2 they will probably be in a harder fight
3 they will probably be the underdog
4 there ref and judges wont be there for them
etc etc etc.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 13 Oct 2004, 10:49

It looks like Hennessy is trying his hardest to get Jermain Taylor over with the winner to fight Eastman although saying that i doubt it will happen before Trinidad-Hopkins II if at all. I don't know why Eastman didn't make more of his once only trip to the states as he made quite an impression on the Rahman-Lewis undercard, they were all eager for more from the charismatic guy with the white beard as they called him!

Don King signed him up and then screwed him arouund, some supposed King only signed him to "keep him out of the way", there may or may not be some truth in that.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Oct 2004, 20:21

You can bet your house that's why he signed him.

bigynzing · Post by **bigynzing** » 14 Oct 2004, 05:53

Goz wrote: Hopkins is Premier League, Calzaghe Division 1 and from another weight class. JC has no right ‘calling out’ Hopkins. Pick on someone your own size or bigger, looks like he even bottled out of the move up to Light-Heavy so calling out Hopkins is rich.

C`mon...Hopkins career defining fight`s(Trinidad,De la Hoya) have been against welters.Hopkins has made his name fighting in a right shitty division...All i`ve heard from bernard the last last couple of years is Oscar this,Shane that,Tito this,Winky that...If Hopkins was THAT good he would step up and wipe the floor with this overrated welsh guy..call out Tarver..etc..etc..

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 14 Oct 2004, 07:22

bigynzing wrote:
Goz wrote: Hopkins is Premier League, Calzaghe Division 1 and from another weight class. JC has no right ‘calling out’ Hopkins. Pick on someone your own size or bigger, looks like he even bottled out of the move up to Light-Heavy so calling out Hopkins is rich.
C`mon...Hopkins career defining fight`s(Trinidad,De la Hoya) have been against welters.Hopkins has made his name fighting in a right shitty division...All i`ve heard from bernard the last last couple of years is Oscar this,Shane that,Tito this,Winky that...If Hopkins was THAT good he would step up and wipe the floor with this overrated welsh guy..call out Tarver..etc..etc..

Hopkins is only doing what Hagler did before him

Smit · Post by **Smit** » 14 Oct 2004, 08:09

bigynzing wrote: C`mon...Hopkins career defining fight`s(Trinidad,De la Hoya) have been against welters.Hopkins has made his name fighting in a right shitty division...All i`ve heard from bernard the last last couple of years is Oscar this,Shane that,Tito this,Winky that...If Hopkins was THAT good he would step up and wipe the floor with this overrated welsh guy..call out Tarver..etc..etc..

if Calzaghe was THAT good then he wouldn't have faked an injury when he had a chance at Glen Johnson.

Even if offered a fight against Hopkins, Calzaghe would turn it down since he's too scared to fly abroad to fight

Why should a boxer jump weight divisions? He shoudln't. It's not upto the champion to look for fights, it's upto the challengers to aim for the champion not the other way round :P

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 14 Oct 2004, 08:16

bigynzing wrote:
Goz wrote: Hopkins is Premier League, Calzaghe Division 1 and from another weight class. JC has no right ‘calling out’ Hopkins. Pick on someone your own size or bigger, looks like he even bottled out of the move up to Light-Heavy so calling out Hopkins is rich.
C`mon...Hopkins career defining fight`s(Trinidad,De la Hoya) have been against welters.Hopkins has made his name fighting in a right shitty division...All i`ve heard from bernard the last last couple of years is Oscar this,Shane that,Tito this,Winky that...If Hopkins was THAT good he would step up and wipe the floor with this overrated welsh guy..call out Tarver..etc..etc..

Well Hopkins already hammered Joppy who beat Eastman....

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 14 Oct 2004, 08:20

I actually think he would have a harder time with Eastman, who hits a hell of a lot harder than Joppy.

J · Post by J » 14 Oct 2004, 08:29

yeah but howard would never live with hopkins work rate.

Also Nard has tha philly chin, I very much doiubt he could put Hopkins down.

Personally I reckon eastman might just be bidinghis time til theres a scramble for the belts when Hopkins retires.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 14 Oct 2004, 09:05

bigynzing wrote:
Goz wrote: Hopkins is Premier League, Calzaghe Division 1 and from another weight class. JC has no right ‘calling out’ Hopkins. Pick on someone your own size or bigger, looks like he even bottled out of the move up to Light-Heavy so calling out Hopkins is rich.
C`mon...Hopkins career defining fight`s(Trinidad,De la Hoya) have been against welters.Hopkins has made his name fighting in a right shitty division...All i`ve heard from bernard the last last couple of years is Oscar this,Shane that,Tito this,Winky that...If Hopkins was THAT good he would step up and wipe the floor with this overrated welsh guy..call out Tarver..etc..etc..

Why should he step up though? Weight classes are there for a reason, and hopkins could make Junior-Middle at a push. All this proliferation of titles followed by the likes of SR Leonard and Hearns jumping the weights did set a precedent that newer boxing fans without the historical aspect of the sport take as the norm.

Hopkins has been the numero uno at Middleweight for going on a decade, he doesn't need to call out anyone or move weight, let them come to him.

To me the Undisputed Middleweight Championship of the world is second only to it's Heavyweight relation, a truly great title.

And by the way Hopkins wipes the floor with Eastman, either wins every round in a boring fight as I suspect Hopkins would be under-motivated or if for some reason Hopkins wanted to he could even stop Eastman late.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 Oct 2004, 07:08

Goz wrote:
bigynzing wrote:
Goz wrote: Hopkins is Premier League, Calzaghe Division 1 and from another weight class. JC has no right ‘calling out’ Hopkins. Pick on someone your own size or bigger, looks like he even bottled out of the move up to Light-Heavy so calling out Hopkins is rich.
C`mon...Hopkins career defining fight`s(Trinidad,De la Hoya) have been against welters.Hopkins has made his name fighting in a right shitty division...All i`ve heard from bernard the last last couple of years is Oscar this,Shane that,Tito this,Winky that...If Hopkins was THAT good he would step up and wipe the floor with this overrated welsh guy..call out Tarver..etc..etc..
Why should he step up though? Weight classes are there for a reason, and hopkins could make Junior-Middle at a push. All this proliferation of titles followed by the likes of SR Leonard and Hearns jumping the weights did set a precedent that newer boxing fans without the historical aspect of the sport take as the norm.

Hopkins has been the numero uno at Middleweight for going on a decade, he doesn't need to call out anyone or move weight, let them come to him.

To me the Undisputed Middleweight Championship of the world is second only to it's Heavyweight relation, a truly great title.

And by the way Hopkins wipes the floor with Eastman, either wins every round in a boring fight as I suspect Hopkins would be under-motivated or if for some reason Hopkins wanted to he could even stop Eastman late.

I agree entirely, his achievement, despite being in a weak era, is formidable. Why should he move up in weight at his age?

People forget that some of Hagler and Monzon's biggest fights were against guys moving up from welterweight.....good for the goose, good for the Gander. Admittedly Tito isn't quite as good Napoles or Hearns, and DLH ain't no Sugar Ray, but the gulf isn't that huge.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 22 Oct 2004, 17:18

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Goz wrote:
bigynzing wrote: C`mon...Hopkins career defining fight`s(Trinidad,De la Hoya) have been against welters.Hopkins has made his name fighting in a right shitty division...All i`ve heard from bernard the last last couple of years is Oscar this,Shane that,Tito this,Winky that...If Hopkins was THAT good he would step up and wipe the floor with this overrated welsh guy..call out Tarver..etc..etc..
Why should he step up though? Weight classes are there for a reason, and hopkins could make Junior-Middle at a push. All this proliferation of titles followed by the likes of SR Leonard and Hearns jumping the weights did set a precedent that newer boxing fans without the historical aspect of the sport take as the norm.

Hopkins has been the numero uno at Middleweight for going on a decade, he doesn't need to call out anyone or move weight, let them come to him.

To me the Undisputed Middleweight Championship of the world is second only to it's Heavyweight relation, a truly great title.

And by the way Hopkins wipes the floor with Eastman, either wins every round in a boring fight as I suspect Hopkins would be under-motivated or if for some reason Hopkins wanted to he could even stop Eastman late.
I agree entirely, his achievement, despite being in a weak era, is formidable. Why should he move up in weight at his age?

People forget that some of Hagler and Monzon's biggest fights were against guys moving up from welterweight.....good for the goose, good for the Gander. Admittedly Tito isn't quite as good Napoles or Hearns, and DLH ain't no Sugar Ray, but the gulf isn't that huge.

I too agree, this may be over simplifying things a little but I respect a fighter who stays at one weight and dominates over a long period of time more than a fighter who moves up and down weights picking his opponents and titles.

I can't believe some people still complain that Hagler (not the biggest Middleweight) didn't move up to fight Michael Spinks.

Hopkins: "Eastman is tougher than Calzaghe"

Hopkins: "Eastman is tougher than Calzaghe"

Re: Hopkins: "Eastman is tougher than Calzaghe"

Re: Hopkins: "Eastman is tougher than Calzaghe"

Re: Hopkins: "Eastman is tougher than Calzaghe"