Father and Son - 20years of lost potential?

[Kirkland Laing]

His succes has come from his unique style he's developed with Enzo, however it could definitely be improved upon, Hopkins exposed weaknesses in his general strategy.

Another benefit of another knowledgable trainer taking an eye at him is to set up strategy for specific opponents. Team Calzaghe claim they don't watch bugger all of the oppoennts beforehand, and after Saturday I believe them. I was watching with disbelief within 30 seconds of the first round when Hopkins was moving away and Joe couldn't reach him, he looked a little baffled then just walked forward straight into a right hand!!! I mean, what the HELL did they expect?
A little homework would have made it a much more comfortable nights work, even though Hopkins would have still made it awkward. It took Calzaghe 4 rounds to figure stuff out about Hopkins's strategy, stuff that EVERYONE else knew already. In the end it was Hopkins' date of birth that caught up with him.

I don't believe that they only watched one Hopkins fight. Joe had clearly watched the fight Hopkins had in Ecuador due to comments he made before the fight. I'm sure they've both sat down and watched endless Hopkins fights together before. They were first planning on fighting him six years ago and I bet they'd seen all his fights before then.

Hopkins can make anybody look awkward, especially a guy fighting in Vegas for the first time at a new weight with a huge reputation to protect, and especially when he knocks him down in the first minute. Calzaghe had to change his strategy after that knockdown because he couldn't afford another one against a boxing grandmaster away from home and still managed to do it. Look what Hopkins did to Winky and Tarver, but Joe managed to beat him despite the knockdown and with all the pressure. He's as good as ever apart from his hands.

[Bomp]

His succes has come from his unique style he's developed with Enzo, however it could definitely be improved upon, Hopkins exposed weaknesses in his general strategy.

Another benefit of another knowledgable trainer taking an eye at him is to set up strategy for specific opponents. Team Calzaghe claim they don't watch bugger all of the oppoennts beforehand, and after Saturday I believe them. I was watching with disbelief within 30 seconds of the first round when Hopkins was moving away and Joe couldn't reach him, he looked a little baffled then just walked forward straight into a right hand!!! I mean, what the HELL did they expect?
A little homework would have made it a much more comfortable nights work, even though Hopkins would have still made it awkward. It took Calzaghe 4 rounds to figure stuff out about Hopkins's strategy, stuff that EVERYONE else knew already. In the end it was Hopkins' date of birth that caught up with him.

I don't believe that they only watched one Hopkins fight. Joe had clearly watched the fight Hopkins had in Ecuador due to comments he made before the fight. I'm sure they've both sat down and watched endless Hopkins fights together before. They were first planning on fighting him six years ago and I bet they'd seen all his fights before then.

Hopkins can make anybody look awkward, especially a guy fighting in Vegas for the first time at a new weight with a huge reputation to protect, and especially when he knocks him down in the first minute. Calzaghe had to change his strategy after that knockdown because he couldn't afford another one against a boxing grandmaster away from home and still managed to do it. Look what Hopkins did to Winky and Tarver, but Joe managed to beat him despite the knockdown and with all the pressure. He's as good as ever apart from his hands.

I'm sure he's seen many Hopkins fights, but I doubt he sat down with Enzo for any decent period of time during the build up to actually devise a strategy, and it certainly showed.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I've always been a supporter of Enzo Calzaghe.
He's a man with a great work ethic, dedication to his fighters and the ability to formulate great plans.

However, last Saturday Enzo panicked. In the corner he resorted to shouting and gesticulating. Neither of which benefited Joe's cause.
I think that Enzo was a good trainer, ideal when things were going well, but when the pressure was on he panicked and it was Joe and Joe alone that saved the day.

I also feel he panicked in the corner with Maccarenelli.

He's reputed to be a fiery little guy, fiery is not ideal in boxing.

[Kev]

Could someone please explain to me how someone who already has an absolutely 100% perfect record could have done any better?

[donnydarkoIRL]

Could someone please explain to me how someone who already has an absolutely 100% perfect record could have done any better?

Calzaghe has done very well.
It's rediculous to suggest that more is wanted from him.
(Although just you wait, someone will jump in saying he should have fought x y z.)

I'm just suggesting that Joe is good because of Joe.

[fugaziuk]

apparetley they don't watch other oppoenents fights - as joe says he fights the way he fights and he isn't going to toil over hours of videos and change his style for each differen fight.

[Tins06]

Nice one for reply's guys..I'll get round to reppin everyone shortly..after reading a few comments spose it boils down to he's undeafeted in 45..Not much room for improvment lol.

[Kev]

apparetley they don't watch other oppoenents fights - as joe says he fights the way he fights and he isn't going to toil over hours of videos and change his style for each differen fight.

I don't see any problem with this to be honest. Whatever works for him is fine by me. Some fighters like to analyse countless hours of tapes of their opponents others arn't concerned.

The correct choice depends entirely on the mindest of the fighter in question. Joe clearly isn't concerned with studying everything his opponent does. It's an equally valid opinion, after all what if you prepare meticulously for an opponent based on a careful study of his previous fights and he comes in and fights with a totally different gameplan against you?

And at the end of the day let's remember that Bhop studied everything about Joe yet he still lost to him so watching tapes of your opponent clearly isn't the deciding factor in a fight.

[DaxxKahn]

Could someone please explain to me how someone who already has an absolutely 100% perfect record could have done any better?

The masses are never happy Bilbo you know that

[Deanrw]

Could someone please explain to me how someone who already has an absolutely 100% perfect record could have done any better?

I see nothing wrong with what he did. He made a shitload of money in the UK defending the WBO belt. As a fan of the sport, I wish he would have fought over here a couple years sooner. If he would have fought Lacy here, he would have got a ton more press and exposure and truly exercised his skill to the American media. The potential matchups after that fight would have been mouth watering

[Kev]

Could someone please explain to me how someone who already has an absolutely 100% perfect record could have done any better?

I see nothing wrong with what he did. He made a shitload of money in the UK defending the WBO belt. As a fan of the sport, I wish he would have fought over here a couple years sooner. If he would have fought Lacy here, he would have got a ton more press and exposure and truly exercised his skill to the American media. The potential matchups after that fight would have been mouth watering

I agree his career could have been handled better with him pursuing the big fights sooner but that's the promotional side of boxing and has nothing to whatsoever to do with his trainers ability to prepare Joe for a fight.

[Deanrw]

Could someone please explain to me how someone who already has an absolutely 100% perfect record could have done any better?

I see nothing wrong with what he did. He made a shitload of money in the UK defending the WBO belt. As a fan of the sport, I wish he would have fought over here a couple years sooner. If he would have fought Lacy here, he would have got a ton more press and exposure and truly exercised his skill to the American media. The potential matchups after that fight would have been mouth watering

I agree his career could have been handled better with him pursuing the big fights sooner but that's the promotional side of boxing and has nothing to whatsoever to do with his trainers ability to prepare Joe for a fight.

Sorry I got sidetracked with my own thinking there. I don't see how jumping trainers can help a fighter when all they have experienced is success. Stick with what you are familiar with. I see Pavlik doing the same thing. Besides, many of the "expert" trainers are just media creations and you are better off with a trainer who knows not only your capabilities, but also your weaknesses, as well as your mindset. Selecting a new trainer is like going into a fight cold. If you are on a losing streak, well then sure, go for it.

With my first post i was thinking Enzo and Joe should have pushed Warren to fight over here sooner.

[JLAQ]

The corner of Joe was a little bit dramatic.

[Althugz]

[/quote]

I'm sure he's seen many Hopkins fights, but I doubt he sat down with Enzo for any decent period of time during the build up to actually devise a strategy, and it certainly showed.[/quote]

In the latest issue of 'Sport' Calzaghe actually said that he never watches his opponents fights for more than a round or 2 to get a basic feel for their style. Then he says he just makes adjustments on the night.