Shut up Calzaghe... Bernard Hopkins

Hopkins livid over Calzaghe's comments


Posted December 13th 2008 at 12:17am
By Michael Rosenthal


Buzz up!http://s7.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif


Bernard Hopkins has two words for Joe Calzaghe: “Shut up.”

Calzaghe, THE RING light heavyweight champ who is mulling retirement, told the Associated Press a few days ago that he’s glad he’ll soon be leaving the sport because it’s in dire shape.

“I think boxing is a dying sport. Globally – in America for instance – you've got UFC, which has taken a lot off boxing, business-wise," Calzaghe said.

He went on: “There is too much politics in boxing, too many belts and too many champions, which dilutes real champions like myself. There are four world champions in each division and it's bad because there are no stars any more. It's a big problem.”

Calzaghe also took a shot at boxing in the United States, pointing out that only one American (Deontay Wilder) won a medal in the 2008 Olympics.

“America only had one medalist in the Olympics this year," Calzaghe said. "In Britain, we did pretty good, but I'm glad I'm ending my career and not starting it because I don't think it's going to be that great in the future.”

Hopkins, who lost a close decision to Calzaghe in April and wants a rematch, finds Calzaghe’s comments both interesting and infuriating, the latter because of his enduring love of the sport and probably because it remains his livlihood.

The former middleweight titleholder pointed out that Calzaghe does not attract many fans outside his native Wales, meaning he’s part of the problem. Even Englishman Ricky Hatton, Hopkins said, has a bigger following than Calzaghe.

“I don’t know where he’s been, on Mars or something,” Hopkins said. “Maybe he missed the numbers that (Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquaio) generated – 1.25 million pay-per-view buys in a recession. That’s 70, 80 million dollars in revenue. And he’s says boxing is dead?

“Maybe it’s dead when he fights.”

Hopkins was just getting started.

“If he wants to retire, he should go ahead and retire and keep his mouth shut. He has his wins (this year), his undefeated record. He should go join his family. Other than that, he should shut up. And tell him Bernard says that.”

Calzaghe wasn’t finished either. He also made some comments about De La Hoya after his dismal performance on Saturday, indicating that he didn’t want to go out in a similar manner.

“De La Hoya hasn’t been a real fighter for years,” he told walesonline.co.uk. “You can’t fault the guy because he has been a great fighter in the past and made so much money from the sport. But, realistically, he has been a part-time boxer for years.”

De La Hoya has fought four times in the past 2½ years.

“That’s jealousy, envy,” said Hopkins, a partner in De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. “They [Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones Jr.] didn’t do well on pay-per-view, under 300,000. So when you start hearing things like that, it’s just jealousy. …

“It’s easy to kick someone when they’re down. I’m not saying this because I’m his friend and a partner, but Oscar’s record speaks for itself. Look at what he’s acccomplished over 20 years.”

Tell him Nard ;D:lickish::cool:

Bhop is right, Joe is part of the problem. By protecting himself over the years and keeping himself away from the rest of the world. Joe is retiring a bitter men cause the rest of the world dont see him as great as he sees himself.

I think GBP and Top Rank has been investing and promoting fighters from Mexico and Philippines cause they have fighters that are willing to come outside their country and fight all comers. Thats exactly what boxing needs. Not these undefeated fighters with pamperred records. I see floyd has a part of the problem too. He was p4p king and he only takes on big money fight and when his not doing that he pulls out the im retired card.

It would be good after what's been such a brilliant year for him, Joe would just stop bitchin bout everythin'. He's been in the news a fair bit recently almost always complainin bout sumfin & goin on bout how great he is (altho I do agree with his recent Froch comments). But for a guy who a year ago I would have had in my favourite 3 fighters, I have to say I am startin to sour on him

I'm w/Bhop,


Joe, STFU.

Joe is full of it man, he does some dumb shit in and out of the ring. like dancing like a moron, sticking his face in roys grill, humping others, now bad mouthing his own sport. Arrogant assclown :p

Bernard is right on this one.
Calzaghe should be loosing a lot of fans.
He should take the rematch.

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Originally Posted by Julius Rain

Bhop is right, Joe is part of the problem. By protecting himself over the years and keeping himself away from the rest of the world. Joe is retiring a bitter men cause the rest of the world dont see him as great as he sees himself.

I think GBP and Top Rank has been investing and promoting fighters from Mexico and Philippines cause they have fighters that are willing to come outside their country and fight all comers. Thats exactly what boxing needs. Not these undefeated fighters with pamperred records. I see floyd has a part of the problem too. He was p4p king and he only takes on big money fight and when his not doing that he pulls out the im retired card.

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That's exactly right.. Any fighter that realises they are close to the top of the game, needs to actively go out and fight the BEST competition out there... The may come up short and realise they weren't the absolute best.. But you can't shield yourself for a good portion of your career, then come out 3 fights from the end to fight 'previous' greats, and then try to claim you've fought the best your whole career..... It's only him that suffers now for not coming out and seeking the very best, earlier... And proving it to himself and everyone else one way or the other, if he is the very best or not...

Everyone knows America is the place to prove your greatness in regards to boxing.. It's as simple as that to me..... We can say Joe could have come over to America and beat everyone there at any stage.. But that's exactly it, we can only say that.. He never did it, and as great as he is, many fans are going to consider that when handing credit out too him..

Bhop has Calzaghe on hush now. he better stay that way or fight bhop. :)

guys i'm from the uk and have listened to calzaghe talk his own brand of crap for a longtime,. his classic line used to be " this guys not in my league, theres no interest in me fighting him" he'd then go fight a guy no one had heard of before isntead, we then had to listen to him say " i'm unbeaten, i've been champion for 10 years " he's so repetative he said that for over a year............he's jelous of hatton in a BIG WAY rickys much more known, much more supported, much more respected and has made 3 times as much in a 3rd of the time..........that eats joe up

funny how Calzaghe's mouth is becoming bigger as he nears retirement , pity he didn't shout the odds when he was active , or we may have seen him fight the top guys.

It's easy to take interviews out of context when only tiny snippets are presented from a very long interview. Clearly the writer has an axe to grind and sets up his personal angle on each comment before quoting him. Insinuating that Joe was having a go at Oscar when if you heard the whole interview he was very complimentary of him and everything he's done for the sport, but also making the observation that Oscar's been winding down his career lately, which is a point of view nearly every single one of you have.

As for having a dig at boxing wtf??? He loves the sport, but is just as dismayed as the average fan about the way its going, especially in America where the talent pool in the sport isn't what it used to be.

Even Englishman Ricky Hatton, Hopkins said, has a bigger following than Calzaghe.

What the hell is he trying to say here? Ricky has one of the biggest followings in the sport today and has for years. Joe has a huge following much bigger than Hopkins ever had.

If Hopkins wants to see just how many true fans he has, come fight in England or anywhere beyond America's shores. See how many follow you there Nard. He needs a check up from the neck up the senile old prick.

Just Popkins after a rematch and acting a Prick...Again;)

calzaghe has a bigger following than Hopkins, you can bet ur life on it...

Calzaghe shouldnt say stuff like I wouldnt want to be an up and comer in this new generation. Its unfair to the younger fighters who put their lives into this sport. Also, one of the main reasons Olympic boxing isnt doing well is because more guys chose to go pro instead. Boxing is alive and well. People in the US knew who reletively new guys at the time Cotto, Lacy, etc. were before we knew anything of Joe Calzaghe, and he was reigning, defending champion for years! His career had its best years the last few years so to say boxings is on its way out is ridiculous coming from him.

I think the knee-jerk reaction is to tell the guy to shut up. But a shrewd business man (promoters and TV execs), even the ones who hate Joe Calzaghe, would listen to what he's saying. THEN formulate an opinion or response.

Joe made me a fan, and now he's making me hate him. It's fighters like him who ALWAYS approach boxing from the business end first and take the safest route possible that create problems in the sport. Oh, and that's why you don't have any fans outside the U.K. and Ricky Hatton does. You always play it safe. You are a waste of talent and greatness. Screw you, Joe. Go fight Dawson then talk to me. Nah, better to close the should with Glen Johnson at home. You knob.

I am also starting to dislike him. I hope he gives Bad Chad a shot at the Light Heavyweight Championship, so that Chad can show him what what it is like to be in with a young, hungry light-heavyweight.

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Originally Posted by RozzySean

Joe made me a fan, and now he's making me hate him. It's fighters like him who ALWAYS approach boxing from the business end first and take the safest route possible that create problems in the sport. Oh, and that's why you don't have any fans outside the U.K. and Ricky Hatton does. You always play it safe. You are a waste of talent and greatness. Screw you, Joe. Go fight Dawson then talk to me. Nah, better to close the should with Glen Johnson at home. You knob.

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You pick Ricky as the archytype for a fighter who DOESN'T look at his career from a business stand point first and formeost:confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused:

Joe has beaten two young undefeated super middles and 2 legends in the last couple of years. So he has the right to talk about the game. B Hop has his tongue firmly up Oscars' ass. There should be more better fights between the best fighters in the world.

[quote=Julius Rain;652736]Bhop is right, Joe is part of the problem. By protecting himself over the years and keeping himself away from the rest of the world. Joe is retiring a bitter men cause the rest of the world dont see him as great as he sees himself.
[quote]

You've summed it up for me perfectly right there Julius. The guy is a prick.

I've always thought it - He's bitter because he was high off of Frank Warren's koolaid for too long and didn't have the balls to do what Ricky Hatton did and cut his ties.

Fuck JC, I can't believe he also had the audacity to chew Oscar out as well with a resume like his?? He's full of shit and delusional. Nard got it spot on.

Starting to see the making of a bitter rematch ;D.Either that or Joe should put up or shutup,he sounds burned out/tired.Also,this is why I really am weary of fighters being so hugely tied into GBP or anyother promotion,its turning into a damn syndicate where a fighter like Hopkins words.....who has ALWAYS shouted loud and spoke his mind.....are construed as purely covering Delahypas arse,when he firstly relishes telling a guy to fawk off.

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Originally Posted by Bomp

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Originally Posted by RozzySean

Joe made me a fan, and now he's making me hate him. It's fighters like him who ALWAYS approach boxing from the business end first and take the safest route possible that create problems in the sport. Oh, and that's why you don't have any fans outside the U.K. and Ricky Hatton does. You always play it safe. You are a waste of talent and greatness. Screw you, Joe. Go fight Dawson then talk to me. Nah, better to close the should with Glen Johnson at home. You knob.

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You pick Ricky as the archytype for a fighter who DOESN'T look at his career from a business stand point first and formeost:confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused:

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It was the safe move to fight Mayweather? He could have pulled Calzaghe and fought Witter at home for a good paycheck and justified it fine. That was good business, but he lost his perfect record as a result. You misunderstand me? Ricky's career has been pretty well managed as well, but he had the guts to come to the US to fight a prime Floyd Mayweather. He spent time building his name here, and he has shown a commitment to making the fights that fans want (other than Junior Witter's 10 or so fans). He moved up in weight and fought Collazo in the US (a good fighter) for very average money to get exposer in the US. Hindsight is 20/20 since he dominated Paulie, but Paulie was the fight everybody wanted him to make, and he traveled to make it happen, same with Castillo.

Now fighting Pac is a big money, good busines fight, but it's also against a guy who just stopped Oscar and he'll need to come to the US most likely to make it happen. I'm not saying Ricky doesn't take business into consideration, but he's made an effort to build a fanbase here, whereas Joe never did, then bitches when people don't buy his PPV against and old ass Roy Jones.

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Originally Posted by RozzySean

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Originally Posted by Bomp

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Originally Posted by RozzySean

Joe made me a fan, and now he's making me hate him. It's fighters like him who ALWAYS approach boxing from the business end first and take the safest route possible that create problems in the sport. Oh, and that's why you don't have any fans outside the U.K. and Ricky Hatton does. You always play it safe. You are a waste of talent and greatness. Screw you, Joe. Go fight Dawson then talk to me. Nah, better to close the should with Glen Johnson at home. You knob.

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You pick Ricky as the archytype for a fighter who DOESN'T look at his career from a business stand point first and formeost:confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused::confused::confused::confused::confused::c onfused:

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It was the safe move to fight Mayweather? He could have pulled Calzaghe and fought Witter at home for a good paycheck and justified it fine. That was good business, but he lost his perfect record as a result. You misunderstand me? Ricky's career has been pretty well managed as well, but he had the guts to come to the US to fight a prime Floyd Mayweather. He spent time building his name here, and he has shown a commitment to making the fights that fans want (other than Junior Witter's 10 or so fans). He moved up in weight and fought Collazo in the US (a good fighter) for very average money to get exposer in the US. Hindsight is 20/20 since he dominated Paulie, but Paulie was the fight everybody wanted him to make, and he traveled to make it happen, same with Castillo.

Now fighting Pac is a big money, good busines fight, but it's also against a guy who just stopped Oscar and he'll need to come to the US most likely to make it happen. I'm not saying Ricky doesn't take business into consideration, but he's made an effort to build a fanbase here, whereas Joe never did, then bitches when people don't buy his PPV against and old ass Roy Jones.

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Fighting Mayweather is as low a risk as you can get because you are expected to lose. Fighting Witter would have been way riskier, for smaller money and the possibility of damaging his legacy much more than a loss to Floyd.

Calzaghe fans your man may have a big following but it doesnt make up for the fact since he beat Hopkins and Jones he has started talking more and more shit. Its not just shit its shit about the sport shit about other fighters he is getting a bit beyond himself he needs to either fight on or retire simple as that he said he will make a decision in the new year so do us all a massive favour Joe shut the fuck up till next year.

Some of you are as pathetic as that piece.

Calzaghe also took a shot at boxing in the United States, pointing out that only one American (Deontay Wilder) won a medal in the 2008 Olympics.

“America only had one medalist in the Olympics this year," Calzaghe said.

Please ANYONE explain how that was taking a "shot" at boxing in the States? It's a fucking FACT!!! Fact.

:beat:

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Originally Posted by Kel

Even Englishman Ricky Hatton, Hopkins said, has a bigger following than Calzaghe.

What the hell is he trying to say here? Ricky has one of the biggest followings in the sport today and has for years. Joe has a huge following much bigger than Hopkins ever had.

If Hopkins wants to see just how many true fans he has, come fight in England or anywhere beyond America's shores. See how many follow you there Nard. He needs a check up from the neck up the senile old prick.

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Way to go Bud !!! couldnt agree more...

:badass::badass::badass:

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Some of you are as pathetic as that piece.

Calzaghe also took a shot at boxing in the United States, pointing out that only one American (Deontay Wilder) won a medal in the 2008 Olympics.

“America only had one medalist in the Olympics this year," Calzaghe said.

Please ANYONE explain how that was taking a "shot" at boxing in the States? It's a fucking FACT!!! Fact.

:beat:

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Its not taking a shot at anyone, just a guy speaking some truth ...But it's irrelevant because some quarters will always give JC a kicking ... just as sure as night follows day:lolololol:


:badass::badass::badass:

Hopkins is talking out the side of his arse again. I saw the other day a fighter in the UFC how had like 6 fights and was already the welter weigh champion how the fuck do you become a champion with only 6 fights in your resume? I can't take anything away from the UFC because a lot of the fighters are down but you can't compare apples to oranges boxing and mma are two different sports. It's like comparing swimming to high diving or something like that ;D

I have to agree with Calzaghe. Everybody and their brother holds a title. Which has taken away from the sport. In my day everybody knew Ali,Foster,Monzon,and Duran was the the one and only world champion.

Funny that bernard is still dying inside because Joe shut him up in the ring.

This is all just a war of words from two big mouths.
I hope this shit doesn't become front page news :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

Funny that bernard is still dying inside because Joe shut him up in the ring.

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Yeah, because Joe just gave him a shut a one-sided beatdown ? :confused::confused::confused:

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Originally Posted by RozzySean

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

Funny that bernard is still dying inside because Joe shut him up in the ring.

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Yeah, because Joe just gave him a shut a one-sided beatdown ? :confused::confused::confused:

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He did. hopkins try to downplay the beating by saying that he was slapping but then how is it that he was supposedly hurt so badly by the (fake) low blow?

He was doing more than enough damage on hopkins in that fight otherwise, he wouldn't have had to fake twice and he definitely looked spent in late stages. He couldn't do much more than what he did under the circumstances. He had to block 2 fists and a head so he had to be very careful and still put it on hopkins.

Not to mention all the low blows and illegal punches hopkins threw in that fight that he wasn't even penalized for. That fight wasn't even close after 4.

If I'm Joe I would never rematch that dirty bastid either and just let him have to eat those words (I'll never let a white boy beat me!). FOREVERRRRR!!!!

Its not good to hear Joe talk bad about boxing but he is right about Oscar . Is Nard denying that Oscar hasnt been a part time fighter ? I think Nards still upset he got thrashed by a white boy

On a different note I think these comments didnt help him in the sports personality last night neither did the arrogance he displayed in the Jones fight however he beats two of Americas greatest ever fighters this year . No athlete apart from Lewis has ever done summat that big b4 so i think Joe was robbed.

The saddest part is,Joe is just trying to make up for lost time with statements like this.
But dude,you chose to stay with Warren
You chose to take one chump after another
If your the symbol of the problem,your not allowed to bitch about it after the fact.
It would be like me tossing my trash out on the river bank,and then complaining about all the pollution

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Originally Posted by mrbig1

I have to agree with Calzaghe. Everybody and their brother holds a title. Which has taken away from the sport. In my day everybody knew Ali,Foster,Monzon,and Duran was the the one and only world champion.

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Calzaghe helped create this mess by being one of the fighters to pave the way for a fourth title belt(the WBO).

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Originally Posted by bambamdaddio

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Some of you are as pathetic as that piece.

Calzaghe also took a shot at boxing in the United States, pointing out that only one American (Deontay Wilder) won a medal in the 2008 Olympics.

“America only had one medalist in the Olympics this year," Calzaghe said.

Please ANYONE explain how that was taking a "shot" at boxing in the States? It's a fucking FACT!!! Fact.

:beat:

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Its not taking a shot at anyone, just a guy speaking some truth ...But it's irrelevant because some quarters will always give JC a kicking ... just as sure as night follows day:lolololol:


:badass::badass::badass:

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Ok I'm not disputin da US medal haul, & I don't see how his statement is takin a shot, but Joe has been kinda classless this year. He still ranks inside my top 10 favourite boxers, but he used to be 2nd after PBF. This year a lot of his behaviour has kinda put me off him & I'm clearly not the only one. I don't agree with most of the shit he gets off people, but the fact is despite that 0, i don't think his 'legacy' will compare well with that of Lewis & Hatton, & big chunk of this is his inability to win over fans & make competitive fights for much of his career, because for me he is the most technically gifted boxer of the 3.

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

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Originally Posted by RozzySean

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Originally Posted by Bx730NY

Funny that bernard is still dying inside because Joe shut him up in the ring.

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Yeah, because Joe just gave him a shut a one-sided beatdown ? :confused::confused::confused:

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He did. hopkins try to downplay the beating by saying that he was slapping but then how is it that he was supposedly hurt so badly by the (fake) low blow?

He was doing more than enough damage on hopkins in that fight otherwise, he wouldn't have had to fake twice and he definitely looked spent in late stages. He couldn't do much more than what he did under the circumstances. He had to block 2 fists and a head so he had to be very careful and still put it on hopkins.

Not to mention all the low blows and illegal punches hopkins threw in that fight that he wasn't even penalized for. That fight wasn't even close after 4.

If I'm Joe I would never rematch that dirty bastid either and just let him have to eat those words (I'll never let a white boy beat me!). FOREVERRRRR!!!!

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It wasn't even close, but one judge gave it to Hopkins and another scored it 7 rounds to 5. You make me laugh.