Calzaghe-Hopkins 2 has to happen now.

[Eraserhead]

Hopkins schooled Pavlik and he beat Calzaghe. Joe wouldn't go within a million miles of Hopkins again.

[observer1]

Hopkins schooled Pavlik and he beat Calzaghe. Joe wouldn't go within a million miles of Hopkins again.

well if the fight IS to take place, it will be next year.

Each day that passes, Hopkins age catches up to him in the ring.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Hopkins schooled Pavlik and he beat Calzaghe. Joe wouldn't go within a million miles of Hopkins again.

well if the fight IS to take place, it will be next year.

Each day that passes, Hopkins age catches up to him in the ring.

Where as Joe gets younger and younger

[Chambers2]

Each day that passes, Hopkins age catches up to him in the ring.

He looked 10 years younger in the ring than on Saturday than I'd ever seen him. B-Hop always controls the distance (between the him and his oppo) very well, but he was excellent at it on Saturday, he was virtually always out of Pavliks reach

[jamesmcdonnell]

It was quite amazing the transformation in Hopkins. He hasn't fought so aggressively since Trinidad.

Admittedly, the static and one dimensional approach of Pavlik helped, but Bernard didn't really ever allow Pavlik to get into his punching rhythm, and landed peach shots and beautiful combinations.

I think with that attitude, Hopkins could beat Calzaghe - it would be harder to execute as Joe is a good mover himself, but even so, Hopkins almost nicked it using a very negative style last time round and if he fought with the mindset he had this night, I think he prevails.

I don't know whether it's the conditioning, or just a different mental attitude, but Hopkins looked so much better than he has in years.

If Calzaghe won't take the fight, which given his history I don't think he will, then I think Hopkins v Dawson should be made. Cracking fight, and if Hopkins pulls that one off, then his career becomes something really truly special.

[Counter-puncher]

I don't know whether it's the conditioning, or just a different mental attitude, but Hopkins looked so much better than he has in years.

maybe it's that Pavlik is slower on his feet than possibly anyone hopkins has fought since Tito?

[Poncey]

No. Dawson v Hopkins has to happen. RJJ and Calzaghe v Hopkins were both dull as ditch water.

[WildWaylon]

Upright, come forward fighters with little head movement are perfect opponents for Hopkins. Bad fight for Pavlik to take, but loads of money.

[observer1]

Hopkins schooled Pavlik and he beat Calzaghe. Joe wouldn't go within a million miles of Hopkins again.

well if the fight IS to take place, it will be next year.

Each day that passes, Hopkins age catches up to him in the ring.

Where as Joe gets younger and younger

Use common sense mate. 43+ is becoming quite old. Where as 35+ although getting older, is much much better than someone 43+

[Wrists]

Sorry people but there is a boat load of horse shit being talked here.

Hopkins beat Pavlik because Pavlik was not as good as people thought.
Calzaghe beat Hopkins because he is better than Hopkins.

Anyone who stands in front of B-Hop with the ol' quick march left right left right is easy pickings which is why he pasted Pavlik.

He would not beat Calzaghe as Joe is just too busy.

Joe would do a Lacy on Pavlik!

Jesus the lengths people go to on here to try and find a tiny argument to knock Calzaghe are pathetic.

Bottom line you all though Pavlik was the second coming - an old Hopkins pissed all over him who subsequently had been beaten by Calzaghe.

Get over it and give Calzaghe the credit he deserves

Some people on here need to get lives

Wrists

[banjo]

Joe would do a Lacy on Pavlik!

I'm not a fan of Joe but I said the same thing months ago, Max has also said it but no, everyone mentioned how Joe was scared of Pavliks power.

Who did Pavlik beat other than Taylor?

Miranda - Abraham did a much cleaner job, Zertuche and Zuniga are just dangerous journeymen and Gary Lockett was an overmatched light middle.

[DavidPayne]

Hopkins looked better last night for two reasons.

1 - Pavlik was over-rated, predictable and at a new weight.

2 - Hopkins could time Pavlik better as he's the first orthodox fighter he's fought since Taylor. He's had 3 southpaws on the bounce if my memory serves. Tarver, Wright, Calzaghe.

I was tired of Hopkins but after that performance I'd like to see him continue.

Hopkins, I don't think, would fight Dawson - he has youth, movement, a good engine, hand speed, height and good power.

However, Jones, Calzaghe, Abraham, Pavlik (160) and Tarver all look entirely winnable sellable fights.

[Max Molyneux]

Hopkins schooled Pavlik and he beat Calzaghe. Joe wouldn't go within a million miles of Hopkins again.

Why fight someone again when you absolutley dry humped them In front of Joe Cortez?

[Coco]

Papa Calzaghe seen Pavlik close up against Lockett, perhaps he saw something we didn't and that is the reason he moved away from the fight.
Enzo's claims that Kelly wasn't up to it were rubbished by most folk but this result has entirely vindicated him

[Autobarn]

It was quite amazing the transformation in Hopkins. He hasn't fought so aggressively since Trinidad.

Admittedly, the static and one dimensional approach of Pavlik helped, but Bernard didn't really ever allow Pavlik to get into his punching rhythm, and landed peach shots and beautiful combinations.

I think with that attitude, Hopkins could beat Calzaghe - it would be harder to execute as Joe is a good mover himself, but even so, Hopkins almost nicked it using a very negative style last time round and if he fought with the mindset he had this night, I think he prevails.

I don't know whether it's the conditioning, or just a different mental attitude, but Hopkins looked so much better than he has in years.

If Calzaghe won't take the fight, which given his history I don't think he will, then I think Hopkins v Dawson should be made. Cracking fight, and if Hopkins pulls that one off, then his career becomes something really truly special.

I don't think it's a conditioning thing or even a mental thing with Hopkins. Hopkins said styles make fights after beating Pavlik. Probably, give him a one punch at a time guy with slow legs, and he will look that good til he's 50. Happened with Tito in '1, happened with Pavlik in '08. (Pavlik & Tito also moved up to a weight Hopkins was comfortable at, but in which they looked fleshy). Also, the fact that Pavlik was a giant piece of lard (there's no other way to describe him) at 170-pounds without taking anything from Hopkins.

I do think that guys like Pavlik, Wright & even Calzaghe aren't carrying the weight gracefully.

Hopkins will be the same against Calzaghe again. All that feint and bluff stuff tires him about. When there are massive openings, as with Pavlik, he can operate more smoothly and effectively.

Hopkins said he'd fight Calzaghe in England, last Sat. That would be interesting (if he means Wales as well). Imagine how big Joe-Hopkins would be over here. Would Joe fight better with a big home crowd? How would Hopkins react? Granted, Hopkins would want a King's ransom (but GBP are trying to get into the UK market...)

[WildWaylon]

[quote="Phenomenal-Nutrition"

well if the fight IS to take place, it will be next year.

Each day that passes, Hopkins age catches up to him in the ring.

In theory yes but Hopkins is exceptional at 43, a time when most boxers have long retired. Many are in decline at 35, but yet again Calzaghe is no ordinary fighter. Age is applicable to ability for most people but a few seem able to still do remarkable things when they should be way past their peak. How often do you see a 17 year age difference in boxing with the older man winning just about every round. It wasnt just Hopkins greater skills that won him the fight. His fitness is as good as any 20 something year old and better. That said his potential for staying that fit at 43 cant be all that great. He will soon find the training will start getting to him.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

well if the fight IS to take place, it will be next year.

Each day that passes, Hopkins age catches up to him in the ring.

Where as Joe gets younger and younger

Use common sense mate. 43+ is becoming quite old. Where as 35+ although getting older, is much much better than someone 43+[/quote]

Actually the differential between the 2 will become less in time, basically both are ageing

[jamesmcdonnell]

Using common sense, Hopkins should ALREADY be old and creaking, and yet he looked fresher and fitter than he has in nearly 8 years the other night. Whilst age will eventually get him, it doesn't look like it so far.

There are some very good points being made here, of course Pavlik's style did Bernard a lot of favours, but you also have to credit Bernard, who kept Pavlik tentative and on the outiside, by jarring him with big shots whenever he tried to close and made him miss whenever he did get a punching opportunity.

As said by Buncey, Bernard has a way of stopping fighters doing what they usually do, he made Calzaghe look pretty amateurish at times during their fight. His use of little half steps to the side and backwards consistently stop his opponetns from setting themselves and letting their hands go. Hopkins movement is very impressive or certainly was on Saturday night.

[Eraserhead]

Sorry people but there is a boat load of horse shit being talked here.

Hopkins beat Pavlik because Pavlik was not as good as people thought.
Calzaghe beat Hopkins because he is better than Hopkins.

Anyone who stands in front of B-Hop with the ol' quick march left right left right is easy pickings which is why he pasted Pavlik.

He would not beat Calzaghe as Joe is just too busy.

Joe would do a Lacy on Pavlik!

Jesus the lengths people go to on here to try and find a tiny argument to knock Calzaghe are pathetic.

Bottom line you all though Pavlik was the second coming - an old Hopkins pissed all over him who subsequently had been beaten by Calzaghe.

Get over it and give Calzaghe the credit he deserves

Some people on here need to get lives

Wrists

Sorry, but you can't win a fight without landing any clean PUNCHES. I don't care how busy Calzaghe appeared to be, Hopkins landed all the clean, crisp punches and made Joe look like a guy with only a handful of amateur fights to his name. He controlled the flow of the fight and made Calzaghe look silly. Watch the fight again.

[observer1]

Sorry people but there is a boat load of horse shit being talked here.

Hopkins beat Pavlik because Pavlik was not as good as people thought.
Calzaghe beat Hopkins because he is better than Hopkins.

Anyone who stands in front of B-Hop with the ol' quick march left right left right is easy pickings which is why he pasted Pavlik.

He would not beat Calzaghe as Joe is just too busy.

Joe would do a Lacy on Pavlik!

Jesus the lengths people go to on here to try and find a tiny argument to knock Calzaghe are pathetic.

Bottom line you all though Pavlik was the second coming - an old Hopkins pissed all over him who subsequently had been beaten by Calzaghe.

Get over it and give Calzaghe the credit he deserves

Some people on here need to get lives

Wrists

Sorry, but you can't win a fight without landing any clean PUNCHES. I don't care how busy Calzaghe appeared to be, Hopkins landed all the clean, crisp punches and made Joe look like a guy with only a handful of amateur fights to his name. He controlled the flow of the fight and made Calzaghe look silly. Watch the fight again.

did u see the same fight as the rest of us? i think you should watch it again

I saw it, and i agree with Eraserhead. Calzaghe looked embarrasing, and his "punches" did very little and if they DID land, they landed like slaps (i.e. from his palm).

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Sorry, but you can't win a fight without landing any clean PUNCHES. I don't care how busy Calzaghe appeared to be, Hopkins landed all the clean, crisp punches and made Joe look like a guy with only a handful of amateur fights to his name. He controlled the flow of the fight and made Calzaghe look silly. Watch the fight again.

did u see the same fight as the rest of us? i think you should watch it again

I saw it, and i agree with Eraserhead. Calzaghe looked embarrasing, and his "punches" did very little and if they DID land, they landed like slaps (i.e. from his palm).

Thirded, I had Hopkins winning 8-4 plus the KD, Calazage just wasn't landing those flurries, they were useless punches

[Bricks]

If calzaghe beats a shot roy jones than he should feel honour bound to offer bernard a rematch. It makes sense financially. Bernards may stink out arenas at time, but he is still a legendary and masterful boxer right now and he beat joe in the first fight.
If joe isnt willing to fight a chad dawson or Hopkins . he should get out.
Those are the fights that make sense fiscally.
He could still make the kind of bucks he wasnt used to before he fought BHOP and RJJ by taking on big euro style opposition like arthur abraham or he could fight a jermain taylor assuming he beats lacey. but although those were the kind of fights joe would take for most of his career the last 2 and a half years he has moved onto the highest plain.

[fist]

Thirded, I had Hopkins winning 8-4 plus the KD, Calazage just wasn't landing those flurries, they were useless punches

Lol this type of of rubbish is laughable. Hopkins got beat, even though he said he would never lose to a white person. Hopkins did what he could to nullify the fight by holding, and holding and holding and cheating. He landed an absolute minority of good punches, which were no where near enough in quantity in order to vene gain a draw. Clazaghe threw and landed much much more. And towrads the end Calzaghe was opening up more and more and having more and more success, good job they do not do 15 rounds these days!

A lot of bitterness on this forum. Hopkins has five losses on his record and will be remembered for being a limited and very very boring fighter.

Calzaghe will retire undefeated and remembered as someone who fights with their heart and who wants to fight! Unlike Hopkins.

[Captain Hook]

Thirded, I had Hopkins winning 8-4 plus the KD, Calazage just wasn't landing those flurries, they were useless punches

Lol this type of of rubbish is laughable. Hopkins got beat, even though he said he would never lose to a white person. Hopkins did what he could to nullify the fight by holding, and holding and holding and cheating. He landed an absolute minority of good punches, which were no where near enough in quantity in order to vene gain a draw. Clazaghe threw and landed much much more. And towrads the end Calzaghe was opening up more and more and having more and more success, good job they do not do 15 rounds these days!

A lot of bitterness on this forum. Hopkins has five losses on his record and will be remembered for being a limited and very very boring fighter.

Calzaghe will retire undefeated and remembered as someone who fights with their heart and who wants to fight! Unlike Hopkins.

I couldn't agree more. Hopkins beat Pavlik with a very good performance.

But he lost to Calzaghe. End of story.

Now all of a sudden Calzaghe won't face Hopkins? Give me a break. He's been fornicating appalling of late besides beating Pavlik.......He lost to Calzaghe and despite knocking him down in the first round he went backwards. Pavlik is a good fighter, but we've found he has his limitations now against a slickster.

[Twinkle Toes]

I had Calzaghe a comfortable winner against Hopkins, not a stellar performance agreed, but it wasn't anything near a controversial decision in my book.

But no surprises to see the anti brigade carping on and on and on and on and on and on.