BoxRec

I still see something dodgy occurring in this fight. I'm opting for some sort of no decision outcome, with Calzaghe "in front".

There is something eating away at me that says Hopkins won't be allowed to lose this. I hope I'm completely wrong and it could be a great fight.

Loftgroov wrote:I still see something dodgy occurring in this fight. I'm opting for some sort of no decision outcome, with Calzaghe "in front".

There is something eating away at me that says Hopkins won't be allowed to lose this. I hope I'm completely wrong and it could be a great fight.

Thats perhaps because of Hopkins rhetoric, the fact its Joe's first time in the US, perhaps because the ref is American with a flawed and biased handling of Hatton, and also, because the judges are all american. Not to mention links with Golden Boy.... THAT ASIDE, Joe is a different league to Hopkins who is one dimensional, limited, a spoiler and a runner. Joe on the other hand has true heart and belief, with great speed, outrageous stamina, movement, excellent jab, adaptability, intensity, more power than ever before and of course, an ability to fight close in and box with ease from the outside. Joe will win the fight and the only thing that could prevent him from doing so is a headbutt from Hopkins and a deep cut. Thats relatively unlikley.

The build up to this fight is enthralling. I was absolutely buzzing when Joe went for the Kessler fight and loved every minute of that unification. Originally some criticised this match up cos of Hopkins age, but thats irrlevant in the sense that the occasion is huge, the spectacle itself has gathered momentum, clearly helped by Hopkins' damning of Joe and his abilties. I suppose there has been an element of nationalism present in the build up, but mainly that has stemmed from Hopkins who is obsessed with America being the centre of boxing blah blah blah. Then of course he brought skin colour into the mix. Notice that Joe has not got into any of that - his viewpoint is that he is the better boxer and will prove it, end of.

Cant wait.

Hopkins points 7-5 in rounds.

I hope that I am wrong

Getting nervous - always get nervous for whatever weird reason when I am really looking forward to a fight.

I have spent years slagging Calzaghe but I am absolute beside myself wanting him to win - and I only hope I am wrong about the controversy and the judges!!!

Spud wrote:Getting nervous - always get nervous for whatever weird reason when I am really looking forward to a fight.

I have spent years slagging Calzaghe but I am absolute beside myself wanting him to win - and I only hope I am wrong about the controversy and the judges!!!

Belay your fears good man - Calzaghe know what he's doing and I also think the judges will be very impressed by his aggression and workrate.

I have a feeling that Hopkins is going to look very ordinary this evening.

I'll be genuinely be gutted if Calzaghe loses.
Have always thought that this fight could be a snoozefest but I'm not sure what to think now.
I need another beer....

tony3 wrote: I have a feeling that Hopkins is going to look very ordinary this evening.

Lets hope those judges have a spine.

Up until last week i was sure Calzaghe would win with a wide points victory but something is now making me think hopkins dont know why!, i hope iam wrong though really would like to see Calzaghe retire undefeted.

Re the spectacle - tickets are apparently way overpriced and not selling as the promoters would like them to be. The British turnout may be impressive though.

Joe is very adaptable. He has to be, because he takes too many right hands.

Cazalghe points, 4-5 points.

I just hope old Bernard isn't outclassed tonight through age..... 5 years ago, I would have put my house on Hopkins and I just don't want the lay fans not to realise just how good he was.

Spud wrote:

tony3 wrote: I have a feeling that Hopkins is going to look very ordinary this evening.

Lets hope those judges have a spine.

You never know, maybe De La Hoya has got Calzaghe penciled in to run the Welsh division of Golden Boy Promotions.

Seriously though, I don't think Calzaghe will leave any room for doubt, but then again, neither did Lewis against Holyfield.

Calzaghe UD. Hopkins doesn't have the work rate to keep up with Calzaghe.

KO Artist wrote:Hopkins points 7-5 in rounds.

I hope that I am wrong

Hope you're wrong as well John I know you usualy pick Calzaghe. Myself I'm not going to break the habit of a lifetime, Joe will send this overrated legend in his own mind into retirement. Ok he's good alright, but ever since I saw Joe beat the never-say-die Eubank, I've thought this guy is the real deal.

cant see hopking stopping joe, no way, and joes workrate is good, so it has to be calzaghe on points for me..

joe decent points decision despite one judge scoring absurdly
pro - bernard. cant take your eye of it for a second though, can you?

I wavered yesterday but am going with my original prediction of Joe by 3-4 points. Joe will be far too active for B-Hop who will have his moments but nowhere near enough of them.

stujones wrote:Cazalghe points, 4-5 points.

I just hope old Bernard isn't outclassed tonight through age..... 5 years ago, I would have put my house on Hopkins and I just don't want the lay fans not to realise just how good he was.

while he was holding the middleweight titles - in his prime - Hopkins was simply never willing to take the risk to fight a bigger opponent. He wouldn't have a Jones Jr rematch and he wouldn't fight Calzaghe when these bouts were being talked about. Hopkins waited for welterweights to move up. Great persistence, great dedication. But while he had one prize, he played the percentages.

But if Joe Calzaghe loses, ppl will question how good/worthy he ever was. If Hopkins gets battered by a biger man in Joe, we might see what Bernard has bene so wary about in his career.

Let's hope Joe does him, Hopkins brought race and a nasty undertone into the fight.

Calzaghe TKO 11

It will be the same as the Kessler fight me thinks.

Some Moments that look like Calzaghe is in Trouble from hopkins, but he should win Easy.

Joe UD.

Autobarn wrote:

stujones wrote:Cazalghe points, 4-5 points.

I just hope old Bernard isn't outclassed tonight through age..... 5 years ago, I would have put my house on Hopkins and I just don't want the lay fans not to realise just how good he was.

while he was holding the middleweight titles - in his prime - Hopkins was simply never willing to take the risk to fight a bigger opponent. He wouldn't have a Jones Jr rematch and he wouldn't fight Calzaghe when these bouts were being talked about. Hopkins waited for welterweights to move up. Great persistence, great dedication. But while he had one prize, he played the percentages.

But if Joe Calzaghe loses, ppl will question how good/worthy he ever was. If Hopkins gets battered by a biger man in Joe, we might see what Bernard has bene so wary about in his career.

And those great Light Heavies that Joe faced was......

Hopkins cleaned up the Middleweight devision, well Harry Simon (briefly) excluding... Joe never did at Super Middle.

I can only see this being a tight tactical affair with Joe edging it with a higher workrate down the stretch.

i been thinking that this could be a tight tactical battle that Joe should edge , but I wouldnt be surprised if it ends like the last 2 fights when it was thought that Joe may be up against it & he he won in style.

BHOP by TKO 10 Too many right hands connect

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:I predict:

1. Calazage will throw more but Hopkins will land the cleaner more effective blows. This will make the rounds hard to score
2. Hopkins will probably give the first few rounds away
3. It will be 7-5 or 8-4 either way depending on your preferance (quantity or quality)
4. Calazage will throw less than usual after Hopkins lays traps counters and makes Joe more cautious to throw
5. Calazage will be hit more cleanly than all his other fights and miss more than any of his previous fights

All that been said I predict a close decision to Joe as BHOPs despite everythingbe too inactive due to his age

Happy with the way I called it, even though I had to BHOPs