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He won't - I just am stunned at how his career "progressed" after Tito. Missed opportunities with Jones (twice) and Toney aswell as countless others.

Problem is, Hopkins not budging any lower does affect Joe should Joe not fight him. Hopkins HAS taken the smaller purse in his time, as has Roy Jones etc. Not sure if Calzaghe has ever - even in his pre championship days taken the small edge of the cut. I am digressing, but I think Hopkins is pretty secure financially (as is Joe) and believes he has earned the status to hold the Lion share of the purse (as maybe Joe does) - question is for them to fight, one of them is going to drop - and history says it aint going to be BHOP. IMO, Joe needs the fight more than BHOP.

Hopkins could always re-negotiate with the Tito/Jones winner. Hopkins vs the winner will draw numbers - will be a big fight.

There is always Taylor 3 for BHOP and he's even seriously mentioned a bid at Cruiser and Heavyweight in the recent past. Hopkins is out to get the best money he can, he doesn't care a flying feck about legacy anymore - hasn't since the Tito fight.

Problem is - Hopkins is pretty much the only available money fight for Joe. I think there are harder asks and I think there are asks that could do his long term legacy more good... but Hopkins is the only money fight for him that will add to his legacy at least. Tito vs Jones winner will do the former, but not the latter.

rasputin wrote:i think it is strange that an unbeaten calzaghe should have to take a lower cut of anybodys purse these days.

It will be the first time in his career I am sure. Hopkins, Jones etc have all had to take the lower cut at least once in their career.

stujones wrote:

rasputin wrote:i think it is strange that an unbeaten calzaghe should have to take a lower cut of anybodys purse these days.

It will be the first time in his career I am sure. Hopkins, Jones etc have all had to take the lower cut at least once in their career.

I just think now mate that maybe he might not have to take a cut purse as IMO he is the one to chase and beat at his weight level. He is unbeaten and i cant think of anyone including Hopkins who should be a higher draw now !

Hopkins is well past it but he's still beating world class fighters.

He's also the only other fighter near Joe in weight that could be argued to be even remotely close to great and certainly the most likely fighter to lend Calzaghe real credit for American fans...whether that is fair or not.

rasputin wrote:

stujones wrote:

rasputin wrote:i think it is strange that an unbeaten calzaghe should have to take a lower cut of anybodys purse these days.

It will be the first time in his career I am sure. Hopkins, Jones etc have all had to take the lower cut at least once in their career.

I just think now mate that maybe he might not have to take a cut purse as IMO he is the one to chase and beat at his weight level. He is unbeaten and i cant think of anyone including Hopkins who should be a higher draw now !

Absolutely agree with that- just think that had not had all accept one of his championship fights with his own promoter and taken more gambles (for a lesser purse) then he might have achieved EVEN more than he has done already, which is remarkable as it stands.

But you make a key point - that he is the one to chase and beat at his WEIGHT LEVEL - yep he is. Hopkins is at Light Heavy though, and this is what I am assume the fight will be set at.

I say swallow your pride, and just take it!

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:I say swallow your pride, and just take it!

Absolutely, this aint a bad deal - I was expecting worst to be honest. Not only is it massive money (albeit less than Hop) it is a very winnable contest - Hopkins might be the man at Light Heavy, but I aint convinced he is the best anymore. Even Hopkins has had his doubts that he can pull it off - citing his age negatively.

stujones wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Hopkins is a right twat when it comes to negotiations.

When was the last time Hopkins drew a crowd of 50,000?

They should tell it's either 50-50 or they go find someone else to fight. It's a big fight, but not because of Hopkins, who is a terrible bore to watch.

Its a big fight cause HOPKINS is the #1 Light Heavy in the world.

So Dawson vs Calzaghe, Calzaghe vs Woods, Calzaghe vs Erdei would draw more money/ratings?

He's #1 with an * next to his name. What if he held a sanctioning body belt, and Chad Dawson or Adrian Diaconu was his mandatory? It would be goodbye Mr Hopkins...


I agree about Hopkins' terrible negotiating. I was shocked that he priced himself out of a Jones rematch after beating Tito. In fact, to see him take on Hakkar and Carl Daniels afterward really damaged his image, IMO. But he was in some contract with Don King and I think he didn't want to give King his percentage.

If Calzaghe had stepped up his career sooner and been fighting top fights for the last 3-4 years then by all means be stubborn and hold out for 50-50 and risk the fight not happening. But when he's only really stepped it up at the very end of a long championship career and only a couple of fights from retirement he needs to take the short end here. Like Stu said he needs Hopkins more than Hopkins needs him. Calzaghe has been earning good money in the comfort zone of the WBO title for a long long time, he can give up 10% to cement his legacy in this one.

Excatly, take the split, retire Hopkins and get a really big fight next, the 40% will soon turn into 60% + for the next fight if he does a number on B-HOP.