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Light heavyweight boxer Bernard Hopkins, left, with trainer Freddie Roach, opens his training camp to the media as he prepares his upcoming figith against Joe Calzaghe, Thursday, April 10, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif. The fighters will square off on Saturday, April 19 in a 12-round non-title bout in Las Vegas.
B-Hop looking sharp!
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/2...ng_carf107.jpg
Light heavyweight boxer Bernard Hopkins, left, with trainer John David Jackson, opens his training camp to the media as he prepares Thursday, April 10, 2008, in Pasadena, Calif., for a 12-round bout against Joe Calzaghe. The fighters will square off on April 19 in Las Vegas.
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http://www.fightnews.com/bhop_rocco.jpg
Bernard Hopkins impressed, not only with his mouth, but with his superb conditioning during Thursday's open workout at the Classic Kickboxing Gym in Old Town Pasadena, California. Hopkins is in final preparation for his mega bout against the undefeated and undisputed Super Middleweight champion, Joe Calzaghe. Hopkins had a lot to say but pointed out that he is 12-0 against southpaw fighters, including in his last two victories over the very capable Ronald "Winky" Wright and Antonio Tarver. Hopkins joked that his nickname would soon have to be changed from "The Executioner" to the "Southpaw Assassin" once he beats the left handed Calzaghe. The fight will be taking place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas and will be Calzaghe's first fight in the light heavyweight division, as well as his first fight outside of Europe. It will be telecast live on HBO, Saturday, April 19th.
Good stuff pre.
Have some rep.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pacstraightleft
Thanks Pare...
He's showing his age in that first shot..
Still got a tremendous boxing brain inside that noggin though..
Let's be honest here though, this isn't a fight of two guys at their physical peak in their late 20s to early 30s, this is a superfight between two legends of the game who have gone beyond just their peak physicality and will be pitting their boxing brains and experience in there against each other, not just their bodies.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dizaster
Absolutely! And i'm not going to take a single thing away from either fighter... It's easy to say, well Hopkins isn't in his prime etc etc... But it's to guys who have dominated pretty much all their career, meeting in the ring head to head.. Both still in brilliant shape by just about anyone's standards.. Both KNOW how to box, know how to fight, know how to WIN.. Some "past their prime" fights get looked down upon and a lot of the great things about it get overshadowed by "past his great days",,, but these are 2 great fighters in the ring together... 2 of my favourite fighters mind you.. And you can't take anything away from them,, past their prime or not..Quote:
Originally Posted by superheavyrhunLet's be honest here though, this isn't a fight of two guys at their physical peak in their late 20s to early 30s, this is a superfight between two legends of the game who have gone beyond just their peak physicality and will be pitting their boxing brains and experience in there against each other, not just their bodies.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dizaster
I'm certainly going to enjoy this fight as much as if Hopkins was 10 to 15 years younger.. Means nothing to me at this stage when the bell sounds for the start of round 1... Even with Hopkins age, their isn't a boxer out there that would underestimate him if they were about to go toe to toe for 12 rounds with him.
The fight is for The Ring belt which is widly regarded in America as the true World championship belt to have.Quote:
Originally Posted by SaddoBoxer
http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/m..._hopkins/a.jpg
B-Hop: "Hey Joe..." :)
He looks in better condition than before Wright
Quote:
Originally Posted by hitmandonny
Maybe he wants to teach Calzaghe a lot of lessons...
http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/m..._hopkins/b.jpg
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaddoBoxer
Hopkins looks like he's pinching his nipples. It's a twister Auntie Em!
Just to add that he will need to be too, because the only thing Joe has in common with Winky is his stance....Quote:
Originally Posted by hitmandonny
Joe is looking real strong, with the move up, but without any visible loss of speed....He is looking awesome, as he will also need to be too...
:badass::badass::badass:
Lol:DQuote:
Originally Posted by deathQuote:
Originally Posted by SaddoBoxer
Hopkins looks like he's pinching his nipples. It's a twister Auntie Em!
Hopkins looks good; fit as a fiddle so to speak;D
Joe's going to have nightmares with this old krafty kat. Can't wait for this fight!! Going to get nasty in that ring before it's over:cool:
Agreed. Joe looks in top notch condition. I dont see this as a fight between two fighters just beyond their prime because Calzaghe has just beaten his toughest opponent yet. Calzaghe is still around his best. Its Hopkins with all the question marks IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by bambamdaddioJust to add that he will need to be too, because the only thing Joe has in common with Winky is his stance....Quote:
Originally Posted by hitmandonny
Joe is looking real strong, with the move up, but without any visible loss of speed....He is looking awesome, as he will also need to be too...
:badass::badass::badass:
bhop looks good, i hope he beats joe :)
Anybody can look good. No chance he beats Calzaghe though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ds91
No way. Calzaghe is better and isnt challenging the law of such diminishing returns. Hopkins will get thrashed up.
Let's not get too excited there bud. I wan't Calzaghe to win too, but c'mon. Do you really expect Joe to walk all over the Bernard?.. This fight aint' a cakewalk for both fighters. B-hop is a vet. I consider him a late bloomer. He can be rugged anytime he wants to. He's a very smart fighter and can bend the rule and get away with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by milesAnybody can look good. No chance he beats Calzaghe though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ds91
No way. Calzaghe is better and isnt challenging the law of such diminishing returns. Hopkins will get thrashed up.
Your f'ing joking right?Quote:
Originally Posted by milesAnybody can look good. No chance he beats Calzaghe though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ds91
No way. Calzaghe is better and isnt challenging the law of such diminishing returns. Hopkins will get thrashed up.
This is a bigger test for Joe rather than Hopkins if you ask me. Calzaghe's record is quite padded with Eubank,Lacy and Kess the bigest names on it. Hopkins has fought a fair few world class operators Jones jr,Tito,Winky,De la Hoya,Taylor and Tarver and he knows his way round a boxing ring.
Joe aint never left the UK and hes never fought a guy on the same level as B-HOP. Hopkins is one smart kat and whoever thinks this is gonna be a Joe C cake walk is totally dillued. Joe may have a high work rate but he aint got a lot of power and the more he throws the more B-Hop can counter and Calzaghe leaves his chin out quit a bit (he got caught numerous times against kess). Joe stuggles in a rough fights (Bika) and thats Hopkins specialty.
Im going for Hopkins on points 115-112
good old hopkins looks good, thanks for sharing the pics mate. he's always come into fights in good shape, its weather he can up his workrate to what it was 10-12 years ago....... whatever gameplan he fights with its goner be a tough fight......... i cant wait now, i wasn't this into even hatton v mayweather
i think joe's goner be to much in spped and workrate, but you never know
He looks like a primed fighter. Its hard to believe he is 43.
Nice pic's Dude.Hopkins appears toned and wouldn't you know it...He's talking in every pic Lol. Two big things for me....
If Joe Believes he is going to overwhelm and Out work hopkins with sheer aggression and not be called to overcome some hellacious moments Mentally and Physically like he has never before He is mistaken
If Bernard Believes he will have the luxury of Laying back and Playing pot shot artist all night with out stepping inside offensively and initiating to offset Calzaghe He is also mistaken
The intensity and fervor that night will be very palpable. Can not wait :bomb:;D
No, I am not.Quote:
Originally Posted by deathYour f'ing joking right?Quote:
Originally Posted by milesAnybody can look good. No chance he beats Calzaghe though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ds91
No way. Calzaghe is better and isnt challenging the law of such diminishing returns. Hopkins will get thrashed up.
It wont be an easy fight, but the factors all all towards a decisive Calzaghe win for me. The truth is Hopkins hasnt been able to work for a full 3 minutes of all 12 rounds in half a decade. He has been fighting once a year since Taylor and though in tremendous shape for his age Calzaghe is in superior condition.Quote:
Originally Posted by PacstraightleftLet's not get too excited there bud. I wan't Calzaghe to win too, but c'mon. Do you really expect Joe to walk all over the Bernard?.. This fight aint' a cakewalk for both fighters. B-hop is a vet. I consider him a late bloomer. He can be rugged anytime he wants to. He's a very smart fighter and can bend the rule and get away with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by milesAnybody can look good. No chance he beats Calzaghe though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ds91
No way. Calzaghe is better and isnt challenging the law of such diminishing returns. Hopkins will get thrashed up.
Hopkins will be cagey, will hold and will walk around preening too much. He is smart and thats why I have always picked BHop in the past. Not against Calzaghe though. Calzaghe has way too much and he himself can be pretty mean. Hopkins only chance is to stop Joe but Ive seen no indication that Calzaghe can be knocked out.
Calzaghe will win and he will do it with flair. Hopkins will be lucky to win 3 rounds.
Darn I was going to rep you, but realise I just did for another post.. Very good points, and i'm leaning towards a Joe win for the same reason... Taking nothing away from Hopkins though,,,, Joe is an extremely fit guy that can punch and punch and punch for a full 12 rounds.. If Hopkins is beaten, that will be Joe's advantage that shows through more than anything else..Quote:
Originally Posted by milesIt wont be an easy fight, but the factors all all towards a decisive Calzaghe win for me. The truth is Hopkins hasnt been able to work for a full 3 minutes of all 12 rounds in half a decade. He has been fighting once a year since Taylor and though in tremendous shape for his age Calzaghe is in superior condition.Quote:
Originally Posted by PacstraightleftLet's not get too excited there bud. I wan't Calzaghe to win too, but c'mon. Do you really expect Joe to walk all over the Bernard?.. This fight aint' a cakewalk for both fighters. B-hop is a vet. I consider him a late bloomer. He can be rugged anytime he wants to. He's a very smart fighter and can bend the rule and get away with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by miles
Hopkins will be cagey, will hold and will walk around preening too much. He is smart and thats why I have always picked BHop in the past. Not against Calzaghe though. Calzaghe has way too much and he himself can be pretty mean. Hopkins only chance is to stop Joe but Ive seen no indication that Calzaghe can be knocked out.
Calzaghe will win and he will do it with flair. Hopkins will be lucky to win 3 rounds.
Hopkins is rough though, and rough can take a lot of energy out of an opponent..
It's absolutely no given for either fighter.