Quote Originally Posted by hitmandonny View Post
Quote Originally Posted by bikersk View Post
Quote Originally Posted by hitmandonny View Post
I think we're being a bit unfair to Hopkins.
He employed dirty tactics, poor sportsmanship and questionable strategy, but in doing so he made the most out of an aged 43 year old body and gave Joe a terrific struggle and a scrappy fight.

The fight was not a case of "what Calzaghe did wrong." It was a case of what Bernard did right.
And what Hopkins did, was drag Joe out of his comfort zonee, negate his counter punching ability and reflexes and drag him into a messy fight.
In turn, Joe coped reasonably well with a "great effort" from Hopkins and dealt out just enugh to be awarded the fight.

It was a split decision, but the judge that awarded the fight to Hopkins scored it 114-113.
Subtract the knockdown and thats a draw.
Joe did well. Obviously better than Tarver and Winky.
They are not ordinary fighters and neither is Joe.
Well put hitmandonny. It was always going to be a close fight. I thought Hopkins was going to get the win before the fight being in the US and all but Joe did enough to win. No-one dominated and no-one got beat up, but both guys did well. I participated in the rbr and went over what I'd observed and i had Joe just ahead, I thought I was being relatively unbiased.

People must remember that Hopkins makes guys look, well not ordinary, but like donny said takes guys out of their comfort zone and tries to push the fight into his plan. He almost did it but just fell a little short, but both guys did well. I was very happy for the win for Joe as it's nice for the titles to spread around the world and not just be with US fighters. It is a big effort to go to the states and beat a legend, and a big effort to fight and undefeated champ when you are 43 years old at the highest level.
I feel the judges may not have liked the aftertaste of Hopkins' dirty tactics. Because of this they favoured the more active productive boxer.

In that sense it was a triumph for boxing.

As for the referee.
I agree with that. Yeah I don't know what's going on with Cortez. Can't figure him out.