Some thoughts; Calzaghe Hopkins

[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 .

[MRMANICK]

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 .

Are u sayin hopkins was in survival mode? Ive seen the fight many times and while i agree roy won he was the one doin all the movin. I thought hopkins was tryin to make the fight. It seemed roy was fine with potshotting and moving. Ive said it before roy never looked more ordinary in a fight up until he fought tarver.

[Spicoli]

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 .

.He was far from In survival mode and actually gave a Hitting Prime Jones Tough times on the ropes.Not exactly a blowout ,4 point fight all around.

Mercado fight was to this date Hopkins toughest.The Bad judgement by Hopkins/ camp to arrive in Columbia and Its huge difference in Altitude on 3 or 4 days prior to fight had as much to do with Hopkins problems as Mercados wide punches.Also Imo Hopkins believed the hype and was convinced he would KO Mercado early ...Dumb!Almost don't mean a thing though,Hopkins came back to batter Mercado late and Ruined him in the rematch for good.

[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 .

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 .

Calzaghe was badly dropped by Mitchell and he rushed in and got caught himself , but Mitchell isnt Roy Jones . as for your comment about survival mode well you are mis informed if you believe that.