B-Hop: The Mask Is Back

[Gandalf]

Calzaghe has never been at his best when he has been dragged into those kind of rough tough fights, history proves this. Hopkins won't allow Calzaghe to perform at his best based on the stylistic clash. Sorry to say this but Kessler is a good fighter but he is very stiff and robotic in his upper body movement plus he has slow footwork, Hopkins style will be much more effective against Calzaghe. And you say Calzaghe will be more determined than anything but doesn't that also apply to Hopkins as well ?? don't you think he would love to finish his career with 3 straight wins over Tarver, Wright, Calzaghe, and all at 40+ that would be one of the most impressive achievements in the history of boxing especially at his age now. Hopkins is a hard man and yes you are underestimating him, Hopkins knows every trick in the book and has only ever been beat convincely by Roy Jones Jr and that was before he had even perfected his boxing style. Hopkins maybe old but believe me he still has enough left in the tank to beat Calzaghe or at least give a very good account of himself in a losing effort, and i think your also forgetting this is in the USA. And Calzaghe will have to beat Hopkins convincing and i just can't see that happening, because Hopkins will make the rounds hard for Calzaghe and hard for the judges to score, and the close rounds will more than likely go to Hopkins and a close decision will also more than likely go to Hopkins.

I disagree with the vast majority of the nonsense you spat out there. I will reply to that in due course tomorrow. A little late for me here now.

I thought you was more mature than that Miles ?? why do you have to disrespect me like that ?? i gave you facts mixed in with my opinion i didn't disrespect Calzaghe or you so why come out with that ??

No disrespect intended. Sorry, if it seemed that way. I had read your post and disagreed with your opinion and use of the FACTS as it were. It was late and though I really wanted to get stuck in and give a good argument back I was bound by the ticking of the clock. I was out of time and gave the curt response I did. Chin up, Ice, it really was not intended to be any slur upon your character. More a frustration with being a busy dude and not having enough time for this kind of fun stuff.

First off, I disagree with your analysis of Kessler. Kessler was a supremely confident and technically competent fighter and most importantly willing to mix it up with Calzaghe. I would be very surprised to see Hopkins mix anything up until the late rounds when he knows he has to do something. I think of the Taylor fights as being the last ones where Hopkins hadnt handpicked his opponent. Both fighters had their flaws but Hopkins just wasnt able to be busy enough to win a great number of those rounds. Taylor is hardly a serious workhorse. And then we compare the Taylor output to that of Calzaghe. Hopkins can try and look cute on those old legs but that isnt going to win rounds and Calzaghe will nail him. Repeatedly. As Hopkins gets more desperate then the more opportunities Calzaghe will find.

Im not underestimating Hopkins far from it. Ive always picked Hopkins to win his fights. I thought he won the first Taylor fight. I picked him to beat Winky and Tarver. But this is the one opponent that I always thought could give Hopkins a nightmare and Hopkins at the age of 43 has picked the wrong time to try and do it. He should have signed up for this half a decade ago. Calzaghe may not have the power he once had but his boxing has evolved sublimely. Hopkins too did improve a lot after Jones Jr but he is now facing the law of diminishing returns. Taylor made it close twice. Winky way outside his comfort zone made a fight of it. Now we have Calzaghe who is in his comfort zone and pretty much at his best. The odds point to a convincing Calzaghe win.

Calzaghe will need to win convincingly and Im sure he intends to do just that. Stopping Hopkins might seem unreasonable but its a possibility that he could be TKO'd. If it goes to the cards it really wont be close. Hopkins has to hope his right hand gets lucky!

[RP33]

I think Calzaghe will def make b-hop look bad in the early rounds, and in spurts throughout the fight.. calzaghe is too quick and active and will get in and out fine.. but as soon as he stays in close, then he is vulnerable to some sharp short shots from hopkins..

my favorite ending to this fight would be if calzaghe goes into a slapping rage, you know, one like the combo that got him the TKO against Manfredo, and hopkins rears back and hits him in the jaw like he hit tarver.. sending joe to the ground, just to get up for Hop to finish him off.. man, if that happens i'll have the biggest smile on my face..

i really think that this is a tough fight to predict because of hopkins craftiness in the ring.. i think the easiest prediction would be to say that joe will outwork hopkins and stay on the outside and win a UD by 4 rounds, but i can easily see that not happening..

i'd say 60/40 odds in calzaghe's favor.. but i want hop to win like there is no tomorrow.

[Galaxy]

I think Hopkins wins. Even at 43 Hopkins will be the best opponent Joe has ever faced IMO.