Boxing Update: Calzaghe Says Beating Hopkins Will Be A Public Service

ByBoxing Press


© Tom Hogan / Golden Boy Promotions

Despite the fact that Bernard Hopkins fights in an unorthodox style, known to lead with head followed by a punch, Joe Calzaghe has full confidence that referee Joe Cortez will keep things Kosher when they meet tomorrow night in The Planet Hollywood Ring at Thomas and Mack Center in a battle of Ring Magazine champions for Hopkins’ light heavyweight title.

“I’ve already passed over Hopkins in the record book,” stated Calzaghe, boxing’s current longest-reigning world champion. “He will forever be plagued by the fact that my title reign is longer than his and I’ve had more consecutive successful title defenses. I even knocked him out of the Top-Five on the all-time list for title defenses.

“Hopkins’ exodus from his active ring career will end with a flurry or last rights and lefts,” continued Calzaghe. “Beating Hopkins tomorrow night isn’t just about becoming a two-division world champion, it’s also a public service.”

Calzaghe, 44-0 (32), from Newbridge, Wales, the super middleweight champion since October 11, 1997 — tops among active world champions — is tied with super middleweight champion Sven Ottke at fourth place on boxing’s all-time list behind heavyweight champion Joe Louis (25), light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalczewski (23) and strawweight champion Ricardo López (23).

On the heels of breaking the European indoor boxing record, where 50,150 screaming fans in Cardiff, Wales witnessed his title unification victory against previously undefeated WBC/WBA champion Mikkel Kessler, Calzaghe will be making his U.S. and light heavyweight debut when he challenges Philadelphia’s legendary Hopkins, 48-4-1 (32).

Hopkins vs. Calzaghe, “Battle of the Planet”, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Frank Warren’s Sports Network and the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink and Affliction Clothing.

Tickets priced at $1500, $1200, $750, $450, $350 and $250 are still available and can be purchased via phone at 866-USFIGHT or online at www.planethollywood com. The main event bout will be shown live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT.