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Calzaghe-Hopkins and the UK fighting Legacy
Question. If Joe loses to an ancient Bernard Hopkins, where does this leave UK fighting? Boxing is surely very popular in the UK and there are some promising young fighters, but... Hatton had a more impressive resume than Calzaghe, he had actually beaten some name fighters although it could be said they were over the hill. Still, American fans had some respect for Ricky Hatton and thought he would give Mayweather a better fight than he did. At the risk of being criticized, I think most American fans have little to no respect for Calzaghe's resume. He beat a green and overhyped (and injured) Jeff Lacey who showed he has no speed and little skill since that fight. He beat a guy Kessler who most American's had never heard of and those of us who have hold little regard for him as a boxer as he has beaten no one of note.
I like Calzaghe, he is a good fighter, I just don't think he has been tested. These last several years he should have come to America and fought a more prime Hopkins, a less aged Roy Jones and Antono Tarver or even a Glenn Johnson. Instead he stayed in his comfort zone a padded his unbeaten record against less than stellar competition. No ones saying he isn't a very good fighter, its just a lot of guys look like world beaters against nobodies. Its kind of like American Footballer (Soccer) Claudio Reyna, who is far and away in my opinion the best American Soccer player in recent years. He was a man among boys when playing against American Competition and although he was quite good in Europe, never was he ever thought of as among the best players in those leagues. Calzaghe should be a slight favorite vs Hopkins, but if he loses where does this leave the upper echelon of UK fighting? Critics will say another fraud is exposed ala Hamed and Hatton.
Its not like there aren't American and Mexican fighters who aren't protected as well. Lots of fighters build an undefeated record and then get exposed when they start fighting the other top guys. Its just Calzaghe is receiving all time great consideration without having fought more than one or 2 semi legit fighters. If he loses this will be a huge blow to Europe's best fighters. Witter is a decent fighter he will probably beat Maglianni if they fight, Khan has nothing yet, he needs to learn how to box or will get killed over here. For UK fans this Calzaghe-Hopkins fight has to be bigger pride wise than Hatton-Mayweather. Few experts gave Hatton better than a punchers chance vs. Floyd so the outcome is about what was expected. If Calzaghe gets beat by a 42 year old guy he is the favorite against IMO his whole career is proved a fraud. If he beats Hopkins, hopefully he will follow it up with a few more fights in the US against legitimate fighters and can retire with much earned respect, but right now to most American Boxing fans he is an unknown.
UK fans have a lot to be proud of. Hatton is certainly a nice guy, Calzaghe might be as good as you think he is, but do your fighters a favor and push them to come to America and prove themselves against other good young fighters before challenging the best and getting put down. Amir Khan should come over here and fight other good young American and Latino fighters to learn his trade. He may lose a fight or two, but in the end if he has the right stuff he could be a legitimate Champion. If he goes the traditional rout and fights a bunch of nobodies to build his reputation up he will not be ready when he gets thrown in with a true Champion. Just look at Naseem Hamed, we knew he was a joke who was knocking out club fighters, he then had the stupidity to challenge Marco Antonio Berrera and got exposed as a fighter who had never really fought anyone close to world class. Hatton beat a bunch of nobodies, but sprinkled in some over the hill quality fighters. Although Tszyu was old, that win was quality. Castillo was a shell when they fought. Going into the Mayweather fight the experts all saw the same thing in Hatton, no head movement and he telegraphs his punches. I predicted a Floyd TKO in 9 or 10. Look at the big knockdown in that fight, Ricky had been telegraphing that left he threw all fight, he hopped a little and his head bobbed before he lunged and threw it. Floyd had been timing it all fight and finally read it perfect in the 10th. Not that anyone Hatton could have fought would've prepared him for Floyd, but if he would've been in with good fighters all these years no doubt he would've been made to correct several of his weaknesses. There is no substitution to fighting good competition. The best competition is in America, even the middle tier Amercian fighters can be great learning experiences for young up and coming fighters. A fighter won't improve or learn much fighting guys who present little challenge at all. Until UK fighters decide to prove themselves and fight their way up against North American fighters, the whole of UK boxing will not be taken seriously by the American Boxing Lexicon.
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Originally Posted by gally
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