BoxRec

Neri wrote:I know Hopkins used a bodybuilding coach to make the jump to light heavy, it tells in his physique but has Joe used weights to make the jump up? I've read he has never used weights throught his career.

Seems i'm seeing something different, when they stood face on with the camera B-Hop looked the physically bigger man. Calzaghe didn't have the bulging arms and chest like Hopkins. Not that i'm saying this is anything of an advantage just B-Hop looked bigger to me.

Yes Hopkins definitely had a bigger chest and arms- but if anything this shows Calzaghe is naturally the bigger man - Nard had to bulk up to LH but Calzaghe still probably comes down to LH.

stujones wrote:

Asterix wrote:Just watched it and I'm really happy. Joe looked very confident and like he really can't wait to get in the ring. Hopkins look dejected after seeing that Joe is not intimidated, so Hopkins' pre-fight efforts have all been in vain.

I can't wait for the fight.

And Hopkins didn't look huge compared to Calzaghe. There wasn't much of a size difference, apart from what you'd expect.

Of course there wouldn't be a huge size difference... Hopkins is the career Middle, Joe the Career Super Middle.

I was sort of replying to Neri's comment about Hopkins looking bigger than Joe. And it doesn't really matter what weight class they were in, as Hopkins has been at Light Heavy for a while and Joe is just moving up. Hopkins is also taller.

If you see them from the side Hopkins has a very flat chest while Calzaghe's is definitely the deeper.

Won't be surprised if Calzaghe looks fleshy after rehydrating, on fight night. Will there be a sluggishness or will he be a monster up at 175 (in terms of strength, speed)?

One more note - Hopkins has been manufactured for a move up in weight. Does he have true light heavyweight strength? He didn't appear much stronger than Winky Wright although that was a bout 3 pounds lighter.

Having originally gone for Joe by 3-4 rounds the last few days have seen my confidence falter. Having just watched the weigh-in though I really think Calzaghe will do the business tonight.

By the way, Hopkins was introduced as undisputed, linear light heavy champ at the weigh-in. They just make this sh1t up. What's worse is they don't need to, the fight sells itself.

On the physique issue Lacy looked like a bull standing next to a stick of chalk at the weigh-in with Calzaghe but it meant fook all once they got in the ring.

Autobarn wrote:If you see them from the side Hopkins has a very flat chest while Calzaghe's is definitely the deeper.

Won't be surprised if Calzaghe looks fleshy after rehydrating, on fight night. Will there be a sluggishness or will he be a monster up at 175 (in terms of strength, speed)?

One more note - Hopkins has been manufactured for a move up in weight. Does he have true light heavyweight strength? He didn't appear much stronger than Winky Wright although that was a bout 3 pounds lighter.

Calzaghe is a more thickset chap. Hopkins has big shoulders and arms, but his chest and waist are much slimmer, and Calzaghe is much bigger in the legs. Hopkins has legs like pipe cleaners.

Asterix wrote:

stujones wrote:

Asterix wrote:Just watched it and I'm really happy. Joe looked very confident and like he really can't wait to get in the ring. Hopkins look dejected after seeing that Joe is not intimidated, so Hopkins' pre-fight efforts have all been in vain.

I can't wait for the fight.

And Hopkins didn't look huge compared to Calzaghe. There wasn't much of a size difference, apart from what you'd expect.

Of course there wouldn't be a huge size difference... Hopkins is the career Middle, Joe the Career Super Middle.

I was sort of replying to Neri's comment about Hopkins looking bigger than Joe. And it doesn't really matter what weight class they were in, as Hopkins has been at Light Heavy for a while and Joe is just moving up. Hopkins is also taller.

Hopkins is taller and more broad shouldered, yet they weight the same, which indicates if anything that Calzaghe is more natural at the weight.

I'm a sad case - already getting butterflies about tonight! Desperate for Joe to do the business.

Matt W wrote:By the way, Hopkins was introduced as undisputed, linear light heavy champ at the weigh-in. They just make this sh1t up. What's worse is they don't need to, the fight sells itself.

But if we ignore the stupid multiple world titles and think who is THE man at light heavyweight and linear champ it actually IS Bernard Hopkins so they are correct.

Tarver won the right to the real light heavyweight title when knocking out Roy Jones Jnr. He then lost and then regained it with consecutive Glen Johnson fights then defended it in a third fight with Roy Jones.

He then lost it to Bernard Hopkins as we know.

Yes, if Jones was linear champion (which some debate), then Hopkins is now.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Yes, if Jones was linear champion (which some debate)

Is that over Jones Jnr stepping up to heavyweight and thus relinquishing?

Terry D wrote:Ps Just read in a tabloid that should Joe win he's fighting in Wales against 'P4P King' Roy Jones. For a moment I thought we had returned to 2001. Evidently not.

Yeah, the Jones Jr fight definitely seems the most likely now.

Terry D wrote:Ps Just read in a tabloid that should Joe win he's fighting in Wales against 'P4P King' Roy Jones. For a moment I thought we had returned to 2001. Evidently not.

That is a suck arse fight. Joe would annihilate Jones now.

I've just subscribed to Setanta Broadband in the hopes of guaranteeing a good stream for tonight. The stream is pretty poor. It's about the same as Sopcast streams. It's nice having their content on demand though. I'm watching the countdown to Calzaghe vs Hopkins right now (or listening ).

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

Terry D wrote:Ps Just read in a tabloid that should Joe win he's fighting in Wales against 'P4P King' Roy Jones. For a moment I thought we had returned to 2001. Evidently not.

That is a suck arse fight. Joe would annihilate Jones now.

Much rather see Joe fight Dawson or Pavlik, then ride off into the sunset

Joe says in his book that he'd never fight Jones as he isn't a legitimate opponent anymore. I'm sure £ would change his mind.

Re: how Hopkins was introduced - the term undisputed means jack sh1t now if a fighter with NO recognised belt is called it.

Matt W wrote:Joe says in his book that he'd never fight Jones as he isn't a legitimate opponent anymore. I'm sure £ would change his mind.

Re: how Hopkins was introduced - the term undisputed means jack sh1t now if a fighter with NO recognised belt is called it.

RING belt?

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

Autobarn wrote:If you see them from the side Hopkins has a very flat chest while Calzaghe's is definitely the deeper.

Won't be surprised if Calzaghe looks fleshy after rehydrating, on fight night. Will there be a sluggishness or will he be a monster up at 175 (in terms of strength, speed)?

One more note - Hopkins has been manufactured for a move up in weight. Does he have true light heavyweight strength? He didn't appear much stronger than Winky Wright although that was a bout 3 pounds lighter.

Calzaghe is a more thickset chap. Hopkins has big shoulders and arms, but his chest and waist are much slimmer, and Calzaghe is much bigger in the legs. Hopkins has legs like pipe cleaners.

definitely. Calzaghe should be the real light heavyweight come fight night.

Hopefully the RJJ rumours aren't true. I'd rather see Joe vs Erdei or Johnson. That's if he deals with Hopkins first.

Well I'd actually like Calzaghe to retire if he wins tonight. He'll have nothing left to prove and at his age there's always the chance of growing old overnight.

I actually wanted him to retire after beating Kessler.

What world are we in when two men aged 36 and 43 are the best in the world in their divisions? but then remember Archie Moor.

BigGar wrote:Well I'd actually like Calzaghe to retire if he wins tonight. He'll have nothing left to prove and at his age there's always the chance of growing old overnight.

I actually wanted him to retire after beating Kessler.

Maybe Chad Dawson as a finale..... or, if Joe wants to make some serious money but lose...... David Haye.

Calzaghe wouldn't be daft enough to get in with Haye....

I'd like to see Calzaghe have one final fight at the Millennium Stadium later this year before calling it a day. Can't make up my mind who would be the best opponent though - probably Dawson, as that would establish him clearly as the dominant light-heavy so in an ideal world he'd be retiring after cleaning up two divisions.

Deserter wrote:I'd like to see Calzaghe have one final fight at the Millennium Stadium later this year before calling it a day. Can't make up my mind who would be the best opponent though - probably Dawson, as that would establish him clearly as the dominant light-heavy so in an ideal world he'd be retiring after cleaning up two divisions.

Would like to see it but don't you think that would be a bit risky as a last fight?? If he beats Hopkins then I think he's created his legacy and that should be that!

BigGar wrote:

Deserter wrote:I'd like to see Calzaghe have one final fight at the Millennium Stadium later this year before calling it a day. Can't make up my mind who would be the best opponent though - probably Dawson, as that would establish him clearly as the dominant light-heavy so in an ideal world he'd be retiring after cleaning up two divisions.

Would like to see it but don't you think that would be a bit risky as a last fight?? If he beats Hopkins then I think he's created his legacy and that should be that!

I guess it all depends on how he looks against Hopkins - based on Dawson's showing against Johnson I don't think he's in Joe's league.
And of course the question is if not Dawson, who else?

Glen Johnson. Many feel Johnson beat Dawson. It would save Calzaghe from fighting a 25 yo improving fighter.

Also, let's not forget the HBO/Showtime split. Each network has their own light heavyweight champion of the world. Showtime are settling this with Dawon v Tarver. Calzaghe and Hopkins are the HBO/Ring Mag boys. So each side is cut off. It's easier and better perhaps to get hold of Johnson.

Or perhaps just go it alone and get Erdei over to Wales.