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Looks like WBC/WBA/WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe and longtime former middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins are good to go in an April light heavyweight clash, but the bout appears headed to Las Vegas instead of New York City's Yankee Stadium as originally discussed. "The deal's done and will be confirmed with the venue and date next week," Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren told the South Wales Argus.
http://www.fightnews.com/
Calzaghe by UD in a ugly fight. 116-113, 115-113, 115-113.
Yeh Calzaghe UD for me
Hopkins is gonna make this a dirty fight but Joe's too cute for his sneaky little grabbing headbuts so i think he gets the late stoppage and boxes his head off.
No way Hop can stay with the pace JC's gonna set but i do expect Jop to get a cut or two.
Hopkins purposley buts in order to get his man cut etc which forces the opponent to change hisgameplan...bad news for a one dimensional fighter but not Joe because he's THE master at changing his style during a fight which is why he was able to beat Kessler ;)
Joe actually has struggled in rough tough fights like with Bika, Reid, Salem, so don't underestimate Hopkins he is a brilliant technical fighter and can offset Calzaghe's rhythm and slow him down. I think Calzaghe should use his jab and not get too reckless throwing a barrage of punches like 100+ a round. Just throw round about 70+ punches a round stay away from Hopkins and don't allow him to lure you into his kind of fight and offset his rhythm.Quote:
Originally Posted by Smashup
Hopkins wouldnt be able to live with the handspeed and the volume of punches that Calzaghe throws.Hope his hands hold up again! Calzaghe by ud i recon.
Told you guys this was gonna happen... seems to be the way nagotiations work these days.
Put out a shitload of PR's about offers being rejescted then say the fight aint happening then wait for the fans to get at eachother then announce the fight.
this aint an easy fight for Joe but one i think he'll win.
Yeah, a fight i have absolutely zero interest in but one that JC will win UD imo based on Hopkins conservative style, age and JC's recent superb performance against Kessler (And i'm not a JC fan but he got my respect with that performance).
I wonder how much demand there will be for this fight ticket wise in comparision to Floyd vs Hatton. I don't predict nearly as much because neither fighter is as big a draw as Mayweather or Hatton. The match means slightly less as well so it won't be as big an event IMHO.
This should be a very good fight, Calzaghe wins a close decision...
i will be rooting for hopkins
but i think joe wins a close UD
If only this had happened years ago he would have had a much better indication of Joe's real quality...He is never going to live down the stay at home champ tag with alot of fans but at least he has gone looking for the massive fights at the end of his career. To bad there's no real massive names for him anymore.
I actually agree with you, I just hope the fights you mentioned will be good experience for him, and he won't lose his head again like he did in the Salem fight. Needs to box behind his jab from early on like did in the latter half against Kess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing
One variable I haven't heard people mention much is the weight, no one really knows how JC will carry the extra pounds, hope he doesn't achieve the new weight by compromising his training.
For me Joe is certainly favourite, but it's certainly possible for Hopkins to win in a messy fight coupled with suspect judging.
Well lets remember that Calzaghe has stated for a few years that he has trouble making the Super Middleweight limit. So Calzaghe moving up to Light Heavyweight shouldn't effect his performance IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bomp
And why the bloody hell should he NOT stay at home ??? He's the champion for gods sake people should come to him to take the belt. How many times has Jones Jr, Mayweather, Shane Mosely and all the other great champs left the comfort of their own home?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tins06
I've always liked Calzaghe but I fear old man hopkins will totally spoil this fight and turn it inot a grab hold and punch bore fest!
There hasn't been any good American boxers at Super Middleweight in years. So there was no need for Calzaghe to travel to the USA, unless he would of moved up to Light Heavyweight which i think he should of done.Quote:
Originally Posted by steady_E
Let's be honest mate Joe Calzaghe is my local champion but even i admit he should have gone to America...it's the done thing no If's no Buts. The only Champion i know of who does what real Champs do and that's travel...Is Mikkel Kessler. Other boxers are starting to do it now. But look at the ATG alot of them traveled,did the business in there OPPONENTS back yard. Now i know Joe has been to england and this blah blah. That aint traveling..i could walk to england in 4 hours,It dont count.Quote:
Originally Posted by steady_E