Some thoughts; Calzaghe Hopkins

[ICB]

Yesterday evening, pondering the impending Calzaghe Hopkins fight, I took some time to consider the clash of styles.

Calzaghe is what I view as a "reactive" boxer; at this stage of his career he boxes best when the opponent forces the action and he adapts, countering in volume.
With Hopkins we have a fighter who will take no issue with throwing very little and likes to react to the opponents actions himself.

In my mind Joe does not have the patience of Hopkins and will lead if Hopkins is threatening to cause a stalemate. By forcing the action, Calzaghe will endanger himself of being tied up, a position he does not want to be caught in against Hopkins. Could this be Joe's undoing?

Hopkins is commonly perceived to have one of the best chins in modern boxing. That along with rugged tactics could result in broken hands and cuts on Joe's belhalf?
What do you guys think?

This thread will serve as the abstract prediction thread for the fight. (for example I think Calzaghe gets cut etc.)

Is it as good as Calzaghe's?

Both men have only been decked twice, Hopkins was decked x2 by Mercado and he was shaken up quite a few times in that fight, although Hopkins didn't get acclimated to the altitude of 10000 feet, so he was lack luster in that fight. Mercado was considered a goodish puncher but not devastating. Calzaghe was decked quite heavily by Salem who isn't really considered a big puncher, and he was also decked by Byron Mitchell not heavily but it did shake him up, Mitchell was considered a goodish. Both men have been decked by fighters who aren't considered big punchers so take your pick.

[Fenster]

yeah, i'd say their chins are equal-ish

so why is hopkins considered to have one of the best chins in modern boxing and not Calzaghe?

interesting i say?

[ICB]

yeah, i'd say their chins are equal-ish

so why is hopkins considered to have one of the best chins in modern boxing and not Calzaghe?

interesting i say?

I would consider them both to have the best chins in modern say boxing, maybe Calzaghe doesn't get more credit because he isn't really that known outside of the UK probably.

[Spicoli]

yeah, i'd say their chins are equal-ish

so why is hopkins considered to have one of the best chins in modern boxing and not Calzaghe?

interesting i say?

As much His chin as well as his defense and footwork.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Is it as good as Calzaghe's?

I think Calzaghe has a fantastic chin, but I was speaking in context, which wasn't taking Calzaghe's chin into the equation.

[Bomp]

I understand your original point Donny, which is why I think the Kessler fight will stand him in good stead for this one. Kessler realised that Calzaghe was best at being 'reactive' (as he was in the Lavy fight) so stood back in the first few rounds and countered with big rights effectively, which is what we expect Hop to do. Joe adjusted and boxed effectively on the outside, picking his moments more carefully to wade in, which is what he should do against Hop. IMO if Joe is careful he should be able to get rounds in the bank from the outside and wait for Bernard to get impatient like he did in the Taylor fights when they were slipping away from him.

[Fenster]

yeah, i'd say their chins are equal-ish

so why is hopkins considered to have one of the best chins in modern boxing and not Calzaghe?

interesting i say?

As much His chin as well as his defense and footwork.

I was gonna bring up the point Hopkins seems to get hit with less good uns.. but then couldn't be bothered

[:::PSL:::]

Can't wait to see their gloves do the talkin'.

[elgaringo]

Yesterday evening, pondering the impending Calzaghe Hopkins fight, I took some time to consider the clash of styles.

Calzaghe is what I view as a "reactive" boxer; at this stage of his career he boxes best when the opponent forces the action and he adapts, countering in volume.
With Hopkins we have a fighter who will take no issue with throwing very little and likes to react to the opponents actions himself.

In my mind Joe does not have the patience of Hopkins and will lead if Hopkins is threatening to cause a stalemate. By forcing the action, Calzaghe will endanger himself of being tied up, a position he does not want to be caught in against Hopkins. Could this be Joe's undoing?

Hopkins is commonly perceived to have one of the best chins in modern boxing. That along with rugged tactics could result in broken hands and cuts on Joe's belhalf?
What do you guys think?

This thread will serve as the abstract prediction thread for the fight. (for example I think Calzaghe gets cut etc.)

Is it as good as Calzaghe's?

Both men have only been decked twice, Hopkins was decked x2 by Mercado and he was shaken up quite a few times in that fight, although Hopkins didn't get acclimated to the altitude of 10000 feet, so he was lack luster in that fight. Mercado was considered a goodish puncher but not devastating. Calzaghe was decked quite heavily by Salem who isn't really considered a big puncher, and he was also decked by Byron Mitchell not heavily but it did shake him up, Mitchell was considered a goodish. Both men have been decked by fighters who aren't considered big punchers so take your pick.

i have to disagree cos mitchell was considered a big puncher and was a big puncher

[GAME]

Interesting discussing who has the better chin / power. This is how i see it

Strength - Hopkins
Power - Calzaghe
Experience - Hopkins
Ring craft - Hopkins
Chin - Equal
Tactical awareness - Hopkins
Speed - Calzaghe
Combination punching - Calzaghe
Fitness - Calzaghe
Recovery powers - Calzaghe
Boxing skills - Calzaghe


The only two I think are debatable are power and boxing skills .

[eagle]

Interesting discussing who has the better chin / power. This is how i see it

Strength - Hopkins
Power - Calzaghe
Experience - Hopkins
Ring craft - Hopkins
Chin - Equal
Tactical awareness - Hopkins
Speed - Calzaghe
Combination punching - Calzaghe
Fitness - Calzaghe
Recovery powers - Calzaghe
Boxing skills - Calzaghe


The only two I think are debatable are power and boxing skills .

Fitness is debatable also. Hopkins and Calzaghe are both supremely fit.

[GAME]

Interesting discussing who has the better chin / power. This is how i see it

Strength - Hopkins
Power - Calzaghe
Experience - Hopkins
Ring craft - Hopkins
Chin - Equal
Tactical awareness - Hopkins
Speed - Calzaghe
Combination punching - Calzaghe
Fitness - Calzaghe
Recovery powers - Calzaghe
Boxing skills - Calzaghe


The only two I think are debatable are power and boxing skills .

Fitness is debatable also. Hopkins and Calzaghe are both supremely fit.

The reason I didnt put that 1 up as debatable is cuz Hopkins in his mid 40s wont be able to match Joes workrate . I havent seen Hopkins fight at pace for years now . I know Joe can throw double what Hopkins can . So although Hopkins keeps himself in great condition I think Joe is clearly the fitter of the two and will have more in the tank.

[Dark Lord Al]

Chins are equal ??
name any fighter Calzaghe has fough who has the speed and power of Roy Jones JR ? Hopkins took his shots for 12 rounds ?

Calzaghe has never fought anyone with this kind of ability. and it was a prime Roy Jones .

[GAME]

Chins are equal ??
name any fighter Calzaghe has fough who has the speed and power of Roy Jones JR ? Hopkins took his shots for 12 rounds ?

Calzaghe has never fought anyone with this kind of ability. and it was a prime Roy Jones .

Any fighter can go 12 if they are in survival mode . Hopkins wasnt exactly going all out when he knew he was losing. Mercado had Hopkins out on his feet almost stopped him . Calzaghes never been in that condition before .