Joe: "Screw Hopkins"

[Mensa07]

I think his place in Canastota is pretty much secure.

[Autobarn]

More boxrec tripe



Ah yes, i must now invoke boxrec rule number 3 and make an amendment, if i may


3) "Joe Calzaghe will never get my respect until he fights... Lacy, Kessler, Hopkins, Pavlik or Hopkins for a 2nd time"

And if he does fight Bernard again (and for gods sake what kind of masochist wants to sit through that again?) what will you wretched people hold against him then?

What?

Didn't you know, Joe needs to set things straight. He lost 8 rds to 4 to Hopkins (last I heard, reading on here) and Hopkins has got 50% better since their fight.

[Autobarn]

I'll agree with Stu Jones and James McDonnell - Calzaghe's statements and career choices are groanworthy. However, he has been the flagship fighter for Setanta, he did give us great nights vs Lacy (even though he wanted to pull out) and Kessler (even though he prefered Taylor), and he has gotten respect from America - 5 years ago who would've believed that?

It doesn't look good that between them, Calzaghe & Ottke made about 42 or 43 title defences, IN THE SAME ERA. That is fucked up. It's also a shame that he won a vacant belt, made lots of rubbish title defences, that he could look either sublime or ridiculous in the ring, and that he wouldn't rematch guys that made a case for beating him.

Ultimately, Calzaghe is interested in money, titles, and a record that looks great on paper (20mil title defenses, unbeaten, Ring champ 2 weights, etc etc.). You'd have to say that in this, he has been successful.

You have to be a great fighter to last this long, and to box at such a high level in unification bouts (at a fairly advanced age). I feel that Joe had the element of surprise on his side. That he proved to be better than expected vs Kesser & Lacy having ha d alow key career, and that afterward he maybe lost the element of surprise which could be why he wants to get out quick, as other fighters can figure him out better now.

[Peter Hick]

He'll definitely get in the hall of fame.

Even Barry McGuigan managed that!

[n1ebf]

I don't remember Calzaghe ever rolling around on the floor trying to con the ref into believing you've received a low blow cos you're getting beat.

Deserves a rematch??
Rubbish....not saying the fight was easy but people just get carried away cos Hopkins pulled off an upset.

Joe would do the same to him again except more convincingly probably, and he'd do the same to Pavlik I expect.

But mostly NO because Hopkins was a cheat in that fight and then went on to be ungracious in defeat.

[observer1]

I don't remember Calzaghe ever rolling around on the floor trying to con the ref into believing you've received a low blow cos you're getting beat.

Deserves a rematch??
Rubbish....not saying the fight was easy but people just get carried away cos Hopkins pulled off an upset.

Joe would do the same to him again except more convincingly probably, and he'd do the same to Pavlik I expect.

But mostly NO because Hopkins was a cheat in that fight and then went on to be ungracious in defeat.

Calzaghe admitted after the fight to attempting to low-blow Hopkins iirc.

Hopkins may be have milked it, but to call Hopkins a cheat leaves Calzaghe a bigger cheat then.

[mark thompson]

i love half the idiots on this forum, give Calzaghe a break at least he went to fight Hopkins, Hopkins only went to wrestle and spoil and still came unstuck, Calzaghe hands must also be shot by now but he still fights on . what a true CHAMPION !!!

[coneye]

Joe got the job done he went to Hopkins back yard and WON what more can he do , and Hopkins to be honest did try and cheat his way to victory it was a close fight and the constant bitching and compaining trying to get points deducted probably cost him the fight , it made him look like a loser in what was otherwise a pretty close fight, he did'nt look or act like the confident champ in there.

[thepocketrocket]

Hopkins by Two points, but as already stated he didnt 'force' the judges to give him the fight...they hate Hopkins in much the same way they hated Holmes..so any chance to piss off B-Hop was taken with glee!

Joe described RJJ as shot, now he fights him..the case is closed, on this one Frankie boy is completely right

[Captain Hook]

Hopkins by Two points, but as already stated he didnt 'force' the judges to give him the fight...they hate Hopkins in much the same way they hated Holmes..so any chance to piss off B-Hop was taken with glee!

Joe described RJJ as shot, now he fights him..the case is closed, on this one Frankie boy is completely right

Shame Frankie Boy only tells it like it is when a fighter fucks him off, then we get to read his bile every week. It would be nice to read something from him that doesn't involve one of his fighters or one of his ex fighters.....

[banjo]

Hopkins by Two points, but as already stated he didnt 'force' the judges to give him the fight...they hate Hopkins in much the same way they hated Holmes..so any chance to piss off B-Hop was taken with glee!

Joe described RJJ as shot, now he fights him..the case is closed, on this one Frankie boy is completely right

Shame Frankie Boy only tells it like it is when a fighter fucks him off, then we get to read his bile every week. It would be nice to read something from him that doesn't involve one of his fighters or one of his ex fighters.....

or a fighter that turned him down

[Captain Hook]

Hopkins by Two points, but as already stated he didnt 'force' the judges to give him the fight...they hate Hopkins in much the same way they hated Holmes..so any chance to piss off B-Hop was taken with glee!

Joe described RJJ as shot, now he fights him..the case is closed, on this one Frankie boy is completely right

Shame Frankie Boy only tells it like it is when a fighter fucks him off, then we get to read his bile every week. It would be nice to read something from him that doesn't involve one of his fighters or one of his ex fighters.....

or a fighter that turned him down

True...

[observer1]

Indeed. Only a matter of time Frank would expose Calzagghe since he left him. Frank is known to take the easy route with hjis fighters, Calzaghe took the very engineered career option. Frank knows it, and is saying it how it is.

[DG.]

As a fellow Welshman I can honestly say calzaghe is one of the best British fighters ever.

[stujones]

On a side issue, how bad does Freddie Roach, a guy who I hold in high regard and I think is an inspiration, look after the weekend results. He accused Hopkins of having the signs brain issues as a result of boxing too long in the build up, and look at the different performances Hopkins put in.

I'm not saying that the quality difference in opponent didn't have a big affect on Hopkins' displays vs Joe and Kelly - cause it did.... BUT, Hopkins has never cried foul before, he's been dirty before but never tried to cheat his way to victory. Personally I do think the term "cheating his way to victory" is harsh - but he has certainly not taken acted like that when hit low before and he's certainly not looked that unfit before. He's been negative before, but never gassing.

[jamesmcdonnell]

i love half the idiots on this forum, give Calzaghe a break at least he went to fight Hopkins, Hopkins only went to wrestle and spoil and still came unstuck, Calzaghe hands must also be shot by now but he still fights on . what a true CHAMPION !!!

You know what, as a top flight elite level fighter, you are SUPPOSED to travel and take on the best opposition.

Why should we prostrate ourselves that Calzaghe FINALLY went and took on Kessler and Hopkins, christ, he's had enough soft touches over the years, and has cashed in with more soft targets than a stunt cock.

[stujones]

I think the future of Kessler is the one that will ultimately define Joe's legacy.... more so than his "win" over Hopkins. I don't care what Bernard or anyone thinks based on Saturday night.... Bernard has regressed since 2001. To many unconvincing performances in the years between then and now. Its not like I am pretending to be wise after the event, it was the MAIN reason why people tipped Joe, I tipped Joe and said it at the time and I maintain 2000-2001 Hopkins vs Joe wouldn't have been especially close.

Having said that - Roy Jones' legacy/reputation is primarily based on his two best wins. Vs Toney and Vs Hopkins. Ruiz's subsequent (relative) futher success at Heavyweight also contributes. Like Joe, Roy missed his natural rival and this should always be held against him. Roy's natural rival was Dariusz Michaelsweki. However, unlike Joe, Roy took on two guys - who for my money (some disagree) where at the peak of the powers and beat them well, and they went on to become multiple weight geniune all timers in their own right.... not some flash in the pan, over night phenomenen (and Roy fought these aswell) like a Lacy. Joe's legacy rests firmly on the shoulders of Kessler.... and beating the likes of Haussiler isn't helping Joe!

I'd love to see Kessler vs Larsen.

[mark thompson]

I think the future of Kessler is the one that will ultimately define Joe's legacy.... more so than his "win" over Hopkins. I don't care what Bernard or anyone thinks based on Saturday night.... Bernard has regressed since 2001. To many unconvincing performances in the years between then and now. Its not like I am pretending to be wise after the event, it was the MAIN reason why people tipped Joe, I tipped Joe and said it at the time and I maintain 2000-2001 Hopkins vs Joe wouldn't have been especially close.

Having said that - Roy Jones' legacy/reputation is primarily based on his two best wins. Vs Toney and Vs Hopkins. Ruiz's subsequent (relative) futher success at Heavyweight also contributes. Like Joe, Roy missed his natural rival and this should always be held against him. Roy's natural rival was Dariusz Michaelsweki. However, unlike Joe, Roy took on two guys - who for my money (some disagree) where at the peak of the powers and beat them well, and they went on to become multiple weight geniune all timers in their own right.... not some flash in the pan, over night phenomenen (and Roy fought these aswell) like a Lacy. Joe's legacy rests firmly on the shoulders of Kessler.... and beating the likes of Haussiler isn't helping Joe!

I'd love to see Kessler vs Larsen.

I'd love to see Kessler vs Froch

[stujones]

I think the future of Kessler is the one that will ultimately define Joe's legacy.... more so than his "win" over Hopkins. I don't care what Bernard or anyone thinks based on Saturday night.... Bernard has regressed since 2001. To many unconvincing performances in the years between then and now. Its not like I am pretending to be wise after the event, it was the MAIN reason why people tipped Joe, I tipped Joe and said it at the time and I maintain 2000-2001 Hopkins vs Joe wouldn't have been especially close.

Having said that - Roy Jones' legacy/reputation is primarily based on his two best wins. Vs Toney and Vs Hopkins. Ruiz's subsequent (relative) futher success at Heavyweight also contributes. Like Joe, Roy missed his natural rival and this should always be held against him. Roy's natural rival was Dariusz Michaelsweki. However, unlike Joe, Roy took on two guys - who for my money (some disagree) where at the peak of the powers and beat them well, and they went on to become multiple weight geniune all timers in their own right.... not some flash in the pan, over night phenomenen (and Roy fought these aswell) like a Lacy. Joe's legacy rests firmly on the shoulders of Kessler.... and beating the likes of Haussiler isn't helping Joe!

I'd love to see Kessler vs Larsen.

I'd love to see Kessler vs Froch

Yes, maybe a summer blockbuster at City Ground or something - but Larsen is doing good (but seems to have been quiet of late) and it getting on a bit now.... its kind of like a Hatton vs Witter fight.... needs to happen for Danish boxing. Always wanted to go to Denmark, that would be a good excuse.

[mark thompson]

what for the pastry ?

[stujones]

what for the pastry ?

Tasty!

[Coco]

People may not like Calzaghe or the way his career has been handled, but it is difficult to argue against that he is the best 160-168 pound fighter out there, and that he is not one of the best British fighters ever

[Coco]

I think it is very unfair to call him consistently dull, I have found the majority of his fights very enjoyable

[Autobarn]

There is a dullness, because much of the title reign was manufactured. Many of the bouts are too messy to go back to. Kessler & Lacy fights were brilliant events and nice performances. Eubank and Woodhall were very entertaining fights. Sheika and Byron were ruined by what are classed as "hometown stoppages" (regardless of what town they were in).

Anyone remember that fight with a tiny fat South American (Giminez Ferrya?) and Joe couldn't even put the man away?

[WildWaylon]

As a fellow Welshman I can honestly say calzaghe is one of the best British fighters ever.

And thats an unbiased opinion? As it happens I agree with you.