Quote Originally Posted by Taeth View Post
This was nothing like Jermain Taylor fights, but I both agree and disagree. First of all this fight could have been won by either man, but Hopkins made Calzaghe look more amateurish than vice virsa... From what i saw it was more Hopkins not being young enough to throw back that made this fight close, and I think he knew that Calzaghe wasn't in his league, but his body couldn't keep up with the pace. Hopkins clearly showed imo that expect for the fact he was 43 that he was the superior fighter, and even at 43 that he was at least even to Calzaghe in effectiveness. However he should respect Calzaghe who is a really good maybe even great fighter, and stop crying. Same with Glen Johnson, he wasn't robbed against Dawson, its just the judges were out to lunch, and I think 116-111 against Hopkins was ridiculous.
I was only using the Taylor fights as a comparison of how ungrateful Hopkins is and what a sore loser he is.

I havent watched it for a while, but remember I had Hopkins winning the first Taylor fight, even though he did not start fighting until after the 6th round or so

THe Hopkins-Taylor fights were much closer than the Hopkins-Calzaghe fight. I truly feel that Calzaghe won the fight (did not keep a card though) and it is not because I can't stand hopkins personality. I also feel that Taylor rightfully won the second fight and that although the first was very hard to score, hopkins could have inched it out because he was champ. I still remember what Merchant said during the fight "watching Hopkins fight is like watching ice melt".

I feel that Calzaghe could have deserved a UD against Hopkins. There was point around round 8 or 9 where I saw Hopkins begin to crack a little. Not break down of course, but I saw that he was a bit uncomfortable in the ring which is a rarity for him. This pleased me very much, because I cannot stand him.

It seems Hopkins has had trouble in recent years with opponents who are evenly matched physically and have a decent work rate. Truth is, there are a lot of guys 160 and up who with be able to win against Hopkins from here on out. It wont be a pretty win, I still think Hopkins will make anyone he fights look bad at times, even for a couple more years. But if his opponents watch the counter right AND the head coming in with it and keep up a steady output then Hopkins will tire after 6 rounds. If not, then Hopkins will coast the first 6 rounds and then start to fight.

Either way, Hopkins technique is to bore/frustrate his opponent until they lose concentration for a split second and he can land a punch, maybe a little headbutt, and then tie them up.