Quote Originally Posted by miles View Post
Quote Originally Posted by ICB View Post
Quote Originally Posted by miles View Post

How is Hopkins going to win? He isnt going to outwork Calzaghe, doesnt have the footwork Calzaghe has and doesnt have the handspeed. He hasnt knocked out anybody in years so I cant see him stopping Joe, who has a heck of a chin anyway.

Its Hopkins who is in trouble here. Calzaghes speed is something Hopkins hasnt faced since Roy Jones Jr. And Hopkins is 43.

It wont even be that close.
You don't have to out work Calzaghe, there isn't a Super Middleweight in history off the top of my head that could out work Calzaghe, but that doesn't mean they still can't win. Bika and Reid's work rate wern't high either, but they slowed Calzaghe down with clinches and rough fighting, which Hopkins can also do because lets be real here, when its come to rough house fighting and foul play, Reid and Bika are poor men version's of Hopkins at that kind of fighting.
I dont think the Bika fight was particularly difficult but Joe could have made that easier on himself. The Reid fight was a long time ago and Calzaghe has evolved a lot since then. Calzaghe will need to keep his head, use his footwork and not allow Hopkins too many chances to grab and hold. Hopkins will slow Calzaghe down somewhat but that will only be by spoiling. You dont win rounds by pot shotting 5 times a round and then grabbing...not against Calzaghe anyway.

Hopkins is 43 which is something I keep reiterating a little too much. He doesnt have the legs to go 12 HARD rounds. Calzaghe can push and eventually Hopkins will begin to bend. Almost all great fighters finish on a bad loss and Hopkins will be much the same. They seldom call time when they should.
Well Calzaghe was sure puffing hard after 12 rounds with Bika, plus he had some bad marks on his face. He was badly roughed up IMO, yes he did win the fight clearly on points but he was roughed up big time in the process. I don't really know why you consider Calzaghe a better fighter now than he was about 9 years ago. Calzaghe hit much harder back then plus he was faster back then IMO, but boxing brain wise yes he has evolved. Like i told you before Miles im favoring Calzaghe in this one, but i believe it will be a much tougher fight than you expect.