Let me start by saying that I had $50 on Hopkins at $3.50 on Ladbrokes.
Hopkins didn't win that fight. Go back 7 or 8 years and maybe he could have beat Joe but he couldn't do it tonight for one reason only - he doesn't have the stamina to fight all night anymore.
After a rocky start where he probably lost 3 of the first 4 including a 10-8, Joe took over the fight with his superior fitness and combination punching. Bernard has never been hit that often before. He was looking for breathers late in the fight, hence the ridiculous reaction to the soft low blows. He was even complaining about a blow to the back of the head in the 11th when he rabbit punched all night.
Hopkins said he took Calzaghe to school. He did - for 4 rounds, then he got an education himself: that his workrate at 43 is sadly lacking.
So to the knockers - deal with it. The better man won tonight and it will go down as one of the great wins by a British fighter ever.
And to Hopkins - you are one of the best ever, but a little humility never hurt anyone.
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