Quote Originally Posted by p4pking
Quote Originally Posted by azumir
Quote Originally Posted by raleights
If this is Hopkins' last outting, why not make it against the best available? I understand Tarver ko'd Roy Jones and may have a little bit more American recognition than Calzaghe, but he's still not a superstar in this country, nor is Calzaghe. So on the last fight of your career, why would you avoid the biggest challenge out there possible? It certainly changes the way I look at Bernard's legacy, and all those years of having the suspicion Nard was ducking Joe.... Well it doesn't look to be suspicion anymore if this truely is the last fight for him. I know some will stick up for Bernard which I understand, but don't say a damn thing about the money, he already has more than he's earned like most elite athletes. Cash in, or fight the best? It's clear what option Bernard took - this is totally different than PBF trying to make mega bucks fighting DLH, and still planning to tackle Hatton/Margarito after. Joe has been avoided by the best and will continue to be avoided, which probably played a role in him giving Lacy such a horrible beating (also the fact he's 1 dimensional).. years and years and years and years of frustration being taken out on one man

Bernard doesn't wanna be that man.....One thing you have to give Tarver, even tho he's certainly not in Hopkins' or Calzaghe's league he atleast addressed Calzaghe and the possibility of them fighting, instead of avoiding him alltogether.
Hopkins has always awoided bigger men and especially Calzaghe. B-Hop is the purest hype of the century.
THat's just fucking weak, the fact that he's fighting Tarver makes it even worse... IT was practically a done deal before Calzaghe LAcy ever happened, and Hopkins will get more money and recognition if he is able to beat Tarver, much more. The original post sort of brushes off that fact, oh it might get him more recognition in the US.... umm.... the USA is ten times as large as the UK, is that really a hard concept to grasp to you?? Of course it will earn him ALOT more recognition and money if he can SOMEHOW pull this one off, but to question Bhop's desire to fight the best at this time is ridiculous, this is such a hard fight for him to have taken.
CC P4Pking. It's just some snudy Brits being dumasses thats all it is. B-hop is a legend. B-hop is one of the top 2 or 3 greatest Middleweight Champions of all time. Tarver is a bigger and more dangerous opponent than Joe Calzaghe. I like Lacy and I thought he'd KO Joe, but he was dominated instead by Calzaghe. Gotta give Calzaghe credit there, but beating Lacy does not make him invincible or an instant Legend. B-hop at 41 is twice the fighter and has accomplished more than Calzaghe is or ever will.