Max Molyneux wrote:Funny how you mention Calzaghe's slaps but don't mention Hopkins headbutts, fake low blows and excessive Ruiz like holding.
How the hell could he of outclassed Joe If that's what he did for the majority of the fight? The compubox had Joe landing more too. After the 1st Hopkins didn't win a round till the 8th he was so bad.
The slaps do often land properly too on the knuckle part.
Pavlik was way over hyped. He had terrible skill, defense and footwork. All Kelly does Is go forward throwing little one two's and leaves his chin open. The commentators said he had a good jab but he just paws It.
When Hopkins fights another fresh elite fighter at this stage, he will lose again.
good comment Max, boxing isn't just about knockng people out its a skill which Calzaghe has bags off .
Old bones Ian wrote:Calzaghe will probably be missed when he's gone.
He would of been able to win titles at anytime in history, as i said earlier we may not all like his style, but it doesn't mean his not an all time great.
I don't think Joe will be missed like the likes of Lewis was. I don't think we will be saying if there is a #1 at Super Middle in 3 years time - wouldn't it be nice if Joe came back and kicked his arse.
I hope i'm not sad enough to remember to remind you of that statement in 3 years time
ArtOfWar wrote:it makes Calzaghe's close win look better, but he still struggled with an old man who would have beaten him had they fought when Hopkins was still close to his prime.
B######s. Last night proved that Bhop is not washed up, or a has-been or even that far removed from his prime.
Calzaghe would have beaten in his prime in exactly the same manner as he did a few months back, ie. a close but deserved decision.
ArtOfWar wrote:it makes Calzaghe's close win look better, but he still struggled with an old man who would have beaten him had they fought when Hopkins was still close to his prime.
B######s. Last night proved that Bhop is not washed up, or a has-been or even that far removed from his prime.
Calzaghe would have beaten in his prime in exactly the same manner as he did a few months back, ie. a close but deserved decision.
You need to go back and watch some old tapes if you don't think he's that far removed from his prime. His still knows how to protect himself and avoid punishment, but his offensive output is not what it once was. The Hopkins who beat Tito would have beaten Calzaghe clearly in my opinion.
99% of people thought Hopkins didn't have much left to offer, this is reflected on the fact Hopkins was a 3/1 underdog v Pavlik... people thought he was THAT much past it.
We now know he had a good bit left when he fought Calzaghe...enough to beat the 6 or 7th best p4p fighter on most lists.
This puts Calzaghes 'win' against B-Hop into perspective, at the time I thought it was a poor performance from Joe (mainly due to B-Hops negativity), but in hindsight he done very well IMO
Calzaghe is always accused of slapping but Jeff Lacy didnt look as if he had been slapped. True, Calzaghe doesnt put his full weight behind his punches, he needs to protect his hands, but he does hit hard enough. Joe is an ATG and will be missed when he finishes. I think he will be appreciated more as well. Hes a nice bloke and a brilliant fighter so why so many slag him off, I just dont understand. I just want to see him beat RJJ convincingly, retire undefeated and get the respect he deserves from the British Nation.
Actually I change my mind, Joe's win over Hopkins does good for his legacy since he dry humped Bernard who's a so called old school master. Defensive masters don't cheat and draw with the likes of Sergundo Mecardo.
Chambers2 wrote:This puts Calzaghes 'win' against B-Hop into perspective, at the time I thought it was a poor performance from Joe (mainly due to B-Hops negativity), but in hindsight he done very well IMO
Hopkins is an ATG and a boxing legend who will definately be a hall of famer. The fact that he not only beat but schooled Pavlik at 43 puts him in a legendry class few have ever achieved. People have argued Calzaghe fought Hopkins when he was well past his best but Hopkins has proved he is still up there with the best, and is better than most around his weight, despite his age. Therefore any arguement that Calzaghe fought poorly against a faded champion just doest hold up. Hopkins is still very dangerous and it was a very risky fight for Calzaghe to take, just as Lacy and Kessler were also. Joe is proving what a great champion he is and one of the very best British fighters of all time.
There will always be controversy with Calzaghe. A simple fact. He doesn't rematch guys he beat in tight fights (Reid & Hopkins). Probably because his unbeaten record is important to him.
And also, his choice of competition is often disappointing (barring Lacy, Kessler - two fights that took a hell of a lot of fuss to make - and Hopkins) despite his level of ability. He is going to get stick if he and his dad claim legendary status, brag, and then slag Joe's peers off when taking the least compelling fights (Manfredo, Bika, Jones).
The slapping is a valid issue. Was he scoring vs Hopkins or wasn't he? I don't know. Is the inside of the glove hitting the side of the ear a punch?
Joe's whole career has hinged on not making things clear. So no wonder we're still arguing about Calzaghe-Hopkins & just about everything else. That said, he has been one of Britain's major fighters and we do need stars like himself, Hatton, Haye, and going back Lewis, Naz, etc whether we like 'em or not.
I had hopkins beating calzaghe by a close but clear decision. BHOP shut him out for 6 rounds and made him look worse than ever in his career. But calzaghe showed great resources to try and slap his way back into the fight. he got to hopkins even tho bernard wasnt really troubled by any great series of punches . The point is calzaghe made hopkins think and for the last 6 rounds beranrd didnt really have the answers or let himself get gassed. Either way calzaghe came back but still he didnt land anything of substance so Hopkins won.
What pavlik-Hopkins showed is that calzaghe is a much better fighter than pavlik.
Calzaghe shouldnt go anywhere near Chad dawson . Dawson is too strong and fresh. But than again thats what i thought about Lacey. and if joe is in the mood he could do the same to Dawson that he did to Lacey. But in his last two fights Dawson has come on massively in skills and schooling.
Poor glencoffe johnson no one mentions him anymore.
I truly beleive the LH-SM ranks are seeing a new gold era albeit one with ageing superstars still on top of their game. Calzaghe, Jones,Hopkins, Dawson,Tarver,Johnson,Lacey, Wright and Taylor this is some list!!!
I hope the fights keep getting made and these great fighters keep getting paid
I think the Hopkins win helps Calzaghe's legacy alot. Not only because he beat Hopkins, now Pavlik's name won't come up anymore. If he beats Jones he could retire the best. The main thing with Calzaghe over here in the U.S. is he wasn't really known until his last few fights. People can say he wouldn't have won if Hopkins was in his prime but who knows. Outside of Trinidad, the Pavlik fight may have been Hopkins best win. And thats 6 months after Calzaghe beat him. That fight was only close because Hopkins holds so much. Calzaghe should not fight Hopkins again. It would be boring. In my opinion most Hopkins fight are boring. Maybe a Calzaghe Dawson fight would be good. I'm a big Roy Jones fan but I think Calzaghe will probably win the fight. Roy Jones is going to be running away most of the fight. Calzaghe is a fun fighter to watch so I hope its a good fight.
