OK just watched the fight

[Kev]

Good assessment Saddo pretty much exactly how I felt about it.

I thought it was an awesome fight, but then I love Joe Calzaghe so seeing him in full swing, showboating and whupping a legend's ass is about as good as it gets for me.

I'm worried about Joe though. I mean that knockdown clearly hurt Calzaghe and even though he came back to dominate there's surely only so many times he can get away with that.

He's fought two legends in Hopkins and Jones and been decked in the first by both of them. If he would have had Amir Khan's punch resistance I think it's fair to say he the fight would have been all over after that knockdown and the oxygen and smelling salts would have been needed.

If he fights on he's going to be fighting guys, in Dawson, Froch, Pavlik etc (I'm guessing those are possible opponents) who might be much less forgiving if they catch him then Hopkins and Jones were.

I'd love to see him beat Marciano's record and retire 50-0 but it seems like with each passing fight he's giving us more and more scares.

I'd love to see him go on to beat Dawson, maybe rematch Hopkins, then fight Froch and finish with whoever to beat the record.

But it's a big big ask of Joe.

He may well decide to call it a day and you really couldn't blame him.

I really Dawson as the only meaningful fight for him now though. Forget Hopkins you won, it was close but you got the decision move on.

The only thing he hasn't done now is unified the light heavyweight division. If he beats Dawson Calzaghe would be THE man at 175, the Ring champ in that weight class and he can lay claim to completely dominating two weight classes, beating everyone there was to fight in both divisions.

THAT'S the best reason for fighting Dawson imo and would be a worthy way to end a career,

[Andre]

Hopkins first please! After what Hopkins has just done,now is the time no one in between. It would cement him in history once and for all,some say the first fight could of gone either way,if he does up Bernard and does it well ,its an instant sealed deal, no more knockers.

[Youngblood]

Hopkins first please! After what Hopkins has just done,now is the time no one in between. It would cement him in history once and for all,some say the first fight could of gone either way,if he does up Bernard and does it well ,its an instant sealed deal, no more knockers.

But he already beat Hopkins. Nothing to prove here IMO. When history speaks, remembers...one Bernard victory is enough. Someone else if it is going to happen. I'm not suggesting he needs to beat the best there is out there in the division, but repeat fights don't garner much respect unless it is to avenge a loss.

[Andre]

Mate after what Bernard did to Pavlic and considering how close their first fight was there would be a diffferent light on it than just the usual rematch. I wonder who most Americans would chose to put up against him next if they could?

[Kev]

Mate after what Bernard did to Pavlic and considering how close their first fight was there would be a diffferent light on it than just the usual rematch. I wonder who most Americans would chose to put up against him next if they could?

I didn't think the fight was all that close really.

Hopkins whines like a little bitch when he loses any fight and he because his style is so ugly it prevents anyone from looking good even in victory his fans will claim a poor performance from the opponent as a win.

Apart from the first round knockdown Hopkins didn't do much at all imo.

Yes he negated most of what Calzaghe did too but Calzaghe was the only guy who was trying to win that fight. All Hopkins did was hold and spoil.

[Puya]

Mate after what Bernard did to Pavlic and considering how close their first fight was there would be a diffferent light on it than just the usual rematch. I wonder who most Americans would chose to put up against him next if they could?

I didn't think the fight was all that close really.

Hopkins whines like a little bitch when he loses any fight and he because his style is so ugly it prevents anyone from looking good even in victory his fans will claim a poor performance from the opponent as a win.

Apart from the first round knockdown Hopkins didn't do much at all imo.

Yes he negated most of what Calzaghe did too but Calzaghe was the only guy who was trying to win that fight. All Hopkins did was hold and spoil.

Well said baggins

for me JC vs B-Hop was a clear UD. a lot wider than the judges saw it.

[ICB]

Mate after what Bernard did to Pavlic and considering how close their first fight was there would be a diffferent light on it than just the usual rematch. I wonder who most Americans would chose to put up against him next if they could?

I didn't think the fight was all that close really.

Hopkins whines like a little bitch when he loses any fight and he because his style is so ugly it prevents anyone from looking good even in victory his fans will claim a poor performance from the opponent as a win.

Apart from the first round knockdown Hopkins didn't do much at all imo.

Yes he negated most of what Calzaghe did too but Calzaghe was the only guy who was trying to win that fight. All Hopkins did was hold and spoil.

Most of Joe Calzaghe's punches were ineffective, i actually watched his flurries in slow motion and most of them were hitting the gloves. Or wern't landeing clean, can you actually point out to me how many real flush shots Joe Calzaghe landed in the entire fight ? I for certain liked Bernard Hopkins cleaner more effective punches, and they were easy to see aswell.

I think Bernard Hopkins won by one point i had it 6-6, with the knockdown being the difference. But i don't care what anyone says and i'll keep saying it no matter what, i thought Robin Reid beat Joe Calzaghe quite convincingly by atleast a couple of points.

[CFH]

Mate after what Bernard did to Pavlic and considering how close their first fight was there would be a diffferent light on it than just the usual rematch. I wonder who most Americans would chose to put up against him next if they could?

I didn't think the fight was all that close really.

Hopkins whines like a little bitch when he loses any fight and he because his style is so ugly it prevents anyone from looking good even in victory his fans will claim a poor performance from the opponent as a win.

Apart from the first round knockdown Hopkins didn't do much at all imo.

Yes he negated most of what Calzaghe did too but Calzaghe was the only guy who was trying to win that fight. All Hopkins did was hold and spoil.

Most of Joe Calzaghe's punches were ineffective, i actually watched his flurries in slow motion and most of them were hitting the gloves. Or wern't landeing clean, can you actually point out to me how many real flush shots Joe Calzaghe landed in the entire fight ? I for certain liked Bernard Hopkins cleaner more effective punches, and they were easy to see aswell.

I think Bernard Hopkins won by one point i had it 6-6, with the knockdown being the difference. But i don't care what anyone says and i'll keep saying it no matter what, i thought Robin Reid beat Joe Calzaghe quite convincingly by atleast a couple of points.

For what's it's worth, I scored it the same. For the record, I was cheering for Calzaghe - I remember thinking he edged it when I saw the fight live on tv, but I rewatched it a few weeks ago and scored it and I had Hopkins winning.

[Spicoli]

Have to say it's not been a harsh reaction by both fan followings,nice post fight compared to some others.I had no problems with the fight early on but as it went on...it was clear how the street was paved.Alot is made of the taunting by Calzaghe but I can not fault him.Yes it was prickish,and frankly pretty dumb at times....I thought for sure he would pull a Campbell as it increased,but he turned the tables

As it stands,Calzaghe vs. Hopkins is a big reality.Personally,I do not want that fight in too much based on styles.I did have Joe winning the first go by about 2 points and should Hopkins take the handcuffs off and step in with combos,he could pull it off in rematch.What other options/Big bank days do each have ?

[Andre]

Mate after what Bernard did to Pavlic and considering how close their first fight was there would be a diffferent light on it than just the usual rematch. I wonder who most Americans would chose to put up against him next if they could?

I didn't think the fight was all that close really.

Hopkins whines like a little bitch when he loses any fight and he because his style is so ugly it prevents anyone from looking good even in victory his fans will claim a poor performance from the opponent as a win.

Apart from the first round knockdown Hopkins didn't do much at all imo.

Yes he negated most of what Calzaghe did too but Calzaghe was the only guy who was trying to win that fight. All Hopkins did was hold and spoil.

Maybe I should actually watch the fight myself , I was posting on hearsay in this case.

So it wasn't close as some say?

What was the reason some say Hopkins some say Joe then?

Was it the old scoring glances against scoring more power shots?
Thats a common one that splits the group,people scoring amature like shots that touch but have no effect or ones that are checked before landing or taken with a twist and a glove are still scored by many.

So did Hopkins get sent backwards at all?
Was it Joe comming forwards all night, or both of them even in attack and it came down to a shot count?

Sounds from your post like Bernard played it with a counter punchers moves but with spoilers arms and no hits.

[CFH]

Mate after what Bernard did to Pavlic and considering how close their first fight was there would be a diffferent light on it than just the usual rematch. I wonder who most Americans would chose to put up against him next if they could?

I didn't think the fight was all that close really.

Hopkins whines like a little bitch when he loses any fight and he because his style is so ugly it prevents anyone from looking good even in victory his fans will claim a poor performance from the opponent as a win.

Apart from the first round knockdown Hopkins didn't do much at all imo.

Yes he negated most of what Calzaghe did too but Calzaghe was the only guy who was trying to win that fight. All Hopkins did was hold and spoil.

Maybe I should actually watch the fight myself , I was posting on hearsay in this case.

So it wasn't close as some say?

What was the reason some say Hopkins some say Joe then?

Was it the old scoring glances against scoring more power shots?
Thats a common one that splits the group,people scoring amature like shots that touch but have no effect or ones that are checked before landing or taken with a twist and a glove are still scored by many.

So did Hopkins get sent backwards at all?
Was it Joe comming forwards all night, or both of them even in attack and it came down to a shot count?

Sounds from your post like Bernard played it with a counter punchers moves but with spoilers arms and no hits.

That's exactly what is was. That, and Hopkins was moving backwards the whole fight. Calzaghe couldn't land sweet fuck all though, Hopkins was landing by far the better punches.

[intoccabile]

I honestly don't know how anyone can be impressed with Joe or give him credit for this win. Not saying Joe isn't great - but this isn't the win that would give him that status.

What exactly did Roy do that made you impressed with Joe?

[bambamdaddio]

Brilliant assessment saddo ... I saw it all pretty much as you saw it and there is nothing really I could add..

[Youngblood]

Mate after what Bernard did to Pavlic and considering how close their first fight was there would be a diffferent light on it than just the usual rematch. I wonder who most Americans would chose to put up against him next if they could?

I understand what you are saying Andre, and I think it would be a great fight. But I just don't see any benefit in it for Joe. He only stands to lose, and little to gain in the legacy dept. That's just my opinion. And I don't even like Joe that much, but I do respect him.

[Gandalf]

Good assessment Saddo pretty much exactly how I felt about it.

I thought it was an awesome fight, but then I love Joe Calzaghe so seeing him in full swing, showboating and whupping a legend's ass is about as good as it gets for me.

I'm worried about Joe though. I mean that knockdown clearly hurt Calzaghe and even though he came back to dominate there's surely only so many times he can get away with that.

He's fought two legends in Hopkins and Jones and been decked in the first by both of them. If he would have had Amir Khan's punch resistance I think it's fair to say he the fight would have been all over after that knockdown and the oxygen and smelling salts would have been needed.

If he fights on he's going to be fighting guys, in Dawson, Froch, Pavlik etc (I'm guessing those are possible opponents) who might be much less forgiving if they catch him then Hopkins and Jones were.

I'd love to see him beat Marciano's record and retire 50-0 but it seems like with each passing fight he's giving us more and more scares.

I'd love to see him go on to beat Dawson, maybe rematch Hopkins, then fight Froch and finish with whoever to beat the record.

But it's a big big ask of Joe.

He may well decide to call it a day and you really couldn't blame him.

I really Dawson as the only meaningful fight for him now though. Forget Hopkins you won, it was close but you got the decision move on.

The only thing he hasn't done now is unified the light heavyweight division. If he beats Dawson Calzaghe would be THE man at 175, the Ring champ in that weight class and he can lay claim to completely dominating two weight classes, beating everyone there was to fight in both divisions.

THAT'S the best reason for fighting Dawson imo and would be a worthy way to end a career,

Good post.

I would like Joe to retire now TBH. He will always have his doubters, but as far as Im concerned he has nothing more to prove.

Before Hopkins beat Pavlik I was hoping Joe would stick around and beat on Pavlik after Jones himself. Hopkins spoiled that chance. So, I do think Joe has another big fight in him if thats what he wants. Dawson would be a logical choice. He has belts, is undefeated and some are talking him up. Would be an interesting fight, but I think Joe is too much for him. A Hopkins rematch? Screw that, Hopkins lost that fair and square and it would be fucking boring anyway. I think Calzaghe can outpoint him by a wider margin, but so what? A Froch fight might be interesting domestically, and would be the easiest of the 3 for Joe. I think that would be a nice finale in terms of ease and finishing in front of a home crowd.

If he doesnt fancy that, then he should get his pipe and slippers and call it a day. Because he has done all that he needs to do. A total legend himself.