Why isn't Hopkins fighting Calzaghe?

[Hulk]

If this is Hopkins' last outting, why not make it against the best available? I understand Tarver ko'd Roy Jones and may have a little bit more American recognition than Calzaghe, but he's still not a superstar in this country, nor is Calzaghe. So on the last fight of your career, why would you avoid the biggest challenge out there possible? It certainly changes the way I look at Bernard's legacy, and all those years of having the suspicion Nard was ducking Joe.... Well it doesn't look to be suspicion anymore if this truely is the last fight for him. I know some will stick up for Bernard which I understand, but don't say a damn thing about the money, he already has more than he's earned like most elite athletes. Cash in, or fight the best? It's clear what option Bernard took - this is totally different than PBF trying to make mega bucks fighting DLH, and still planning to tackle Hatton/Margarito after. Joe has been avoided by the best and will continue to be avoided, which probably played a role in him giving Lacy such a horrible beating (also the fact he's 1 dimensional).. years and years and years and years of frustration being taken out on one man

Bernard doesn't wanna be that man.....One thing you have to give Tarver, even tho he's certainly not in Hopkins' or Calzaghe's league he atleast addressed Calzaghe and the possibility of them fighting, instead of avoiding him alltogether.

Hopkins has always awoided bigger men and especially Calzaghe. B-Hop is the purest hype of the century.

THat's just fucking weak, the fact that he's fighting Tarver makes it even worse... IT was practically a done deal before Calzaghe LAcy ever happened, and Hopkins will get more money and recognition if he is able to beat Tarver, much more. The original post sort of brushes off that fact, oh it might get him more recognition in the US.... umm.... the USA is ten times as large as the UK, is that really a hard concept to grasp to you?? Of course it will earn him ALOT more recognition and money if he can SOMEHOW pull this one off, but to question Bhop's desire to fight the best at this time is ridiculous, this is such a hard fight for him to have taken.

CC P4Pking. It's just some snudy Brits being dumasses thats all it is. B-hop is a legend. B-hop is one of the top 2 or 3 greatest Middleweight Champions of all time. Tarver is a bigger and more dangerous opponent than Joe Calzaghe. I like Lacy and I thought he'd KO Joe, but he was dominated instead by Calzaghe. Gotta give Calzaghe credit there, but beating Lacy does not make him invincible or an instant Legend. B-hop at 41 is twice the fighter and has accomplished more than Calzaghe is or ever will.

[Preme]

To be in the game as long as joe and your best win is Jeff Lacy that is pathetic.

The only two real big names hopkins has beaten were both out of their w8 class (trinidad and ODLH)

If Hopkins was any other natinality bar American, im sure people wouldn't be hyping him up as much; more reminding us how RJJ hardly broke a sweat to beat him.

I can't see one natural world beater at middle wieght who hopkins has beaten. I do like the guy, don't get me wrong; i just a shed load of second rate fighters on his record, why did he price him self out of a fight with Calzaghe on more than one occasion? Believe wat you want, but its a FACT warren and whom ever was looking after hopkins spoke more than once about the two meeting - every time it fell through with hopkins pricing him self out

[Fenster]

If this is Hopkins' last outting, why not make it against the best available? I understand Tarver ko'd Roy Jones and may have a little bit more American recognition than Calzaghe, but he's still not a superstar in this country, nor is Calzaghe. So on the last fight of your career, why would you avoid the biggest challenge out there possible? It certainly changes the way I look at Bernard's legacy, and all those years of having the suspicion Nard was ducking Joe.... Well it doesn't look to be suspicion anymore if this truely is the last fight for him. I know some will stick up for Bernard which I understand, but don't say a damn thing about the money, he already has more than he's earned like most elite athletes. Cash in, or fight the best? It's clear what option Bernard took - this is totally different than PBF trying to make mega bucks fighting DLH, and still planning to tackle Hatton/Margarito after. Joe has been avoided by the best and will continue to be avoided, which probably played a role in him giving Lacy such a horrible beating (also the fact he's 1 dimensional).. years and years and years and years of frustration being taken out on one man

Bernard doesn't wanna be that man.....One thing you have to give Tarver, even tho he's certainly not in Hopkins' or Calzaghe's league he atleast addressed Calzaghe and the possibility of them fighting, instead of avoiding him alltogether.

Hopkins has always awoided bigger men and especially Calzaghe. B-Hop is the purest hype of the century.

THat's just fucking weak, the fact that he's fighting Tarver makes it even worse... IT was practically a done deal before Calzaghe LAcy ever happened, and Hopkins will get more money and recognition if he is able to beat Tarver, much more. The original post sort of brushes off that fact, oh it might get him more recognition in the US.... umm.... the USA is ten times as large as the UK, is that really a hard concept to grasp to you?? Of course it will earn him ALOT more recognition and money if he can SOMEHOW pull this one off, but to question Bhop's desire to fight the best at this time is ridiculous, this is such a hard fight for him to have taken.

CC P4Pking. It's just some snudy Brits being dumasses thats all it is. B-hop is a legend. B-hop is one of the top 2 or 3 greatest Middleweight Champions of all time. Tarver is a bigger and more dangerous opponent than Joe Calzaghe. I like Lacy and I thought he'd KO Joe, but he was dominated instead by Calzaghe. Gotta give Calzaghe credit there, but beating Lacy does not make him invincible or an instant Legend. B-hop at 41 is twice the fighter and has accomplished more than Calzaghe is or ever will.

Whether or not Hopkins ducked Calzaghe is irellevant to me but he turned down fights, for sure

Check this out Hillbilly boy



By Guardian Newspapers, 7/3/2003
Hopkins' promoter Don King and Calzaghe's backer Frank Warren reached agreement for a fight last year, and the US television station Showtime was prepared to underwrite the event. But after a $3m (£1.8m) payday had been agreed, the fight fell through when Hopkins doubled his purse demands.

Joe Calzaghe, the World Boxing Organisation super-middleweight champion, is prepared to travel to the United States to face the world's No1 middleweight Bernard Hopkins in what is seen as a career-defining fight for the undefeated Welshman

"This is the fight I have wanted above all others for the last few years," he said, "and it is the one the boxing world wants."

"I have no problems taking the fight on his territory," said the 31-year-old Calzaghe. "My message to him is: 'You want it, you got it.' He can have it anywhere and any time."

Calzaghe underlined his determination to get the fight, laying down a challenge to Hopkins. "Don't find an excuse to let our fight slip away," he said. "I have taken up your challenge to face you in America, so honour your words."
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/s...991029,00.html


Calzaghe Knocked Back By Hopkins Again

July 22: Bernard Hopkins has again rejected the offer of a multi-million-dollar fight against the undefeated WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe.

By Guardian Newspapers, 7/21/2003
Bernard Hopkins has again rejected the offer of a multi-million-dollar fight against the undefeated World Boxing Organisation super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, and says he will next face his fellow American William Joppy instead.

Calzaghe, 31, had hoped for what he regards as a career-defining contest against Hopkins, the world's No1 middleweight, after his recent spectacular two-round victory over Byron Mitchell. But Hopkins has made it clear he will pursue Joppy, an easier option, though a date for the fight has not yet been announced.

More worryingly for Calzaghe and his promoter Frank Warren, Hopkins has indicated he might be prepared to travel to Germany in December for a showdown with Calzaghe's super-middleweight rival, the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association champion Sven Ottke.

Warren has spoken repeatedly of his desire to stage Calzaghe-Hopkins at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and believed he had a deal for the fight last year before Hopkins priced himself out of the contest by doubling his demands.

Nevertheless Warren has been in more discussions with Hopkins's promoter Don King and says he remains optimistic the 38-year-old American will face Calzaghe after he picks up his expected victory against Joppy. But King has also spoken with Ottke's promoter Wilfred Sauerland and it seems more than likely Hopkins regards Ottke as a softer, well-paid option than the intimidating Welshman.
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/s...003211,00.html

[Wacko3205]

It's scheduling people.

Hopkins was in negotiations to fight Roy.

That fell through & then came Tarver.

Calzaghe was busy with Lacy & whatever else.

Don't try to rip on Hopkins because the clock is ticking.

He's done a good job of racing with father time...he can't fwockin control him.

[BIG H]

Can anybody who questions Calzaghe's record, tell me who hasn't fought that he should have??

[Preme]

If this is Hopkins' last outting, why not make it against the best available? I understand Tarver ko'd Roy Jones and may have a little bit more American recognition than Calzaghe, but he's still not a superstar in this country, nor is Calzaghe. So on the last fight of your career, why would you avoid the biggest challenge out there possible? It certainly changes the way I look at Bernard's legacy, and all those years of having the suspicion Nard was ducking Joe.... Well it doesn't look to be suspicion anymore if this truely is the last fight for him. I know some will stick up for Bernard which I understand, but don't say a damn thing about the money, he already has more than he's earned like most elite athletes. Cash in, or fight the best? It's clear what option Bernard took - this is totally different than PBF trying to make mega bucks fighting DLH, and still planning to tackle Hatton/Margarito after. Joe has been avoided by the best and will continue to be avoided, which probably played a role in him giving Lacy such a horrible beating (also the fact he's 1 dimensional).. years and years and years and years of frustration being taken out on one man

Bernard doesn't wanna be that man.....One thing you have to give Tarver, even tho he's certainly not in Hopkins' or Calzaghe's league he atleast addressed Calzaghe and the possibility of them fighting, instead of avoiding him alltogether.

Hopkins has always awoided bigger men and especially Calzaghe. B-Hop is the purest hype of the century.

THat's just F****** weak, the fact that he's fighting Tarver makes it even worse... IT was practically a done deal before Calzaghe LAcy ever happened, and Hopkins will get more money and recognition if he is able to beat Tarver, much more. The original post sort of brushes off that fact, oh it might get him more recognition in the US.... umm.... the USA is ten times as large as the UK, is that really a hard concept to grasp to you?? Of course it will earn him ALOT more recognition and money if he can SOMEHOW pull this one off, but to question Bhop's desire to fight the best at this time is ridiculous, this is such a hard fight for him to have taken.

CC P4Pking. It's just some snudy Brits being dumasses thats all it is. B-hop is a legend. B-hop is one of the top 2 or 3 greatest Middleweight Champions of all time. Tarver is a bigger and more dangerous opponent than Joe Calzaghe. I like Lacy and I thought he'd KO Joe, but he was dominated instead by Calzaghe. Gotta give Calzaghe credit there, but beating Lacy does not make him invincible or an instant Legend. B-hop at 41 is twice the fighter and has accomplished more than Calzaghe is or ever will.

Whether or not Hopkins ducked Calzaghe is irellevant to me but he turned down fights, for sure

Check this out Hillbilly boy



By Guardian Newspapers, 7/3/2003
Hopkins' promoter Don King and Calzaghe's backer Frank Warren reached agreement for a fight last year, and the US television station Showtime was prepared to underwrite the event. But after a $3m (£1.8m) payday had been agreed, the fight fell through when Hopkins doubled his purse demands.

Joe Calzaghe, the World Boxing Organisation super-middleweight champion, is prepared to travel to the United States to face the world's No1 middleweight Bernard Hopkins in what is seen as a career-defining fight for the undefeated Welshman

"This is the fight I have wanted above all others for the last few years," he said, "and it is the one the boxing world wants."

"I have no problems taking the fight on his territory," said the 31-year-old Calzaghe. "My message to him is: 'You want it, you got it.' He can have it anywhere and any time."

Calzaghe underlined his determination to get the fight, laying down a challenge to Hopkins. "Don't find an excuse to let our fight slip away," he said. "I have taken up your challenge to face you in America, so honour your words."
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/s...991029,00.html


Calzaghe Knocked Back By Hopkins Again

July 22: Bernard Hopkins has again rejected the offer of a multi-million-dollar fight against the undefeated WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe.

By Guardian Newspapers, 7/21/2003
Bernard Hopkins has again rejected the offer of a multi-million-dollar fight against the undefeated World Boxing Organisation super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, and says he will next face his fellow American William Joppy instead.

Calzaghe, 31, had hoped for what he regards as a career-defining contest against Hopkins, the world's No1 middleweight, after his recent spectacular two-round victory over Byron Mitchell. But Hopkins has made it clear he will pursue Joppy, an easier option, though a date for the fight has not yet been announced.

More worryingly for Calzaghe and his promoter Frank Warren, Hopkins has indicated he might be prepared to travel to Germany in December for a showdown with Calzaghe's super-middleweight rival, the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association champion Sven Ottke.

Warren has spoken repeatedly of his desire to stage Calzaghe-Hopkins at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and believed he had a deal for the fight last year before Hopkins priced himself out of the contest by doubling his demands.

Nevertheless Warren has been in more discussions with Hopkins's promoter Don King and says he remains optimistic the 38-year-old American will face Calzaghe after he picks up his expected victory against Joppy. But King has also spoken with Ottke's promoter Wilfred Sauerland and it seems more than likely Hopkins regards Ottke as a softer, well-paid option than the intimidating Welshman.
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/s...003211,00.html

sum1 give this guy a wel deserved cool click please! still 25 posts to short b4 i can

[raleights]

I understand when people say Tarver is a bigger name, and he is to an extent but to say he's a more dangerous opponent is ridiculous. ESPECIALLY for Hopkins' style Calzaghe is 20x more dangerous than Tarver, with his slow pace that caters to Bernard. I'm American and I like Hopkins, but Calzaghe is a stylistic nightmare for him and it's why hes being avoided. For the money yes I understand Tarver and the fact this was scheduled before the Lacy fight... but he should be fighting the best and Tarver doesn't fit that profile - anyone who thinks this is his best challenge available must be under the influence of narcotics. If Bernard made it this far, he could easily fight Tarver then Joe after. But he's consciously choosing to avoid the Welshman.... Alot of people want Mayweather to get his ass handed to him but ya gotta give the guy one thing, he WILL fight Hatton and Margarito eventually, he's just letting it brew into something bigger. Obviously it's not Bernard's style

[bigragu]

He knows he can't (and couldn't) beat Calzaghe

Last time I checked boxers want to at least have a chance at going out on a high note....not an a**beating...

[Gandalf]

He knows he can't (and couldn't) beat Calzaghe

simply put, but absolutely bang on the nail....

hopkins isnt stupid, he wants to go out on a high and he thinks he can beat hopkins and by jumping 2 divisions do something seemingly very special...

hopkins at this stage could not beat joe calzaghe.....believe it or not thats a difficult thing for me to say....

[Violent Demise]

He ain't fighting Calzaghe cuz Calzaghe dosn't want to bring his ass to America

[MRMANICK]

At the end of the day when the talks were in the works Joe was a nobody and Hop had just become undisputed. If hop wanted more money the truth is at the time he was worth it and joe was not. Hop had the name(as hard as that is to believe)Joe didn't. If he really wanted to fight to prove something he should have. Regardless of the money hop wanted he could have still said yes. I doubt hop was offering chump change.So stop all this hop ducking joe mess. Joe just got his name in big letters after 10 years so be happy with that and hope he doesn't lose his next fight whenever that is.

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

The real ? isnt why is BHOP not fighting Joe... Its why isnt Joe fighting ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[raleights]

It's not that I think Bernard is a chicken shit, this is a growing trend in boxing and I'd like to see the primadonna I'm too good for this or that attitude go out the window. Thats what Bernard is guilty of and Joe isn't, even if he should of showed his face sooner he was still willing to fight when Bernard wasn't (regardless whether it was money, fear, lazyness doesn't matter). Which you have to understand where a boxer comes from, football and basketball players get payed 10x the amount of a fighter who could easily suffer brain damage or die, we've already had 5 deaths this year - so yeah they're gonna attempt to get what they can while they can. But nevertheless the big fights that keep the sport interesting aren't happening, atleast not without a fuss and making people believe the fight isn't going to take place. You really gotta love the warrior mentality of Taylor/Wright or Corrales/Castillo.

Anyone anytime anywhere

[MRMANICK]

It's not that I think Bernard is a chicken S***, this is a growing trend in boxing and I'd like to see the primadonna I'm too good for this or that attitude go out the window. Thats what Bernard is guilty of and Joe isn't, even if he should of showed his face sooner he was still willing to fight when Bernard wasn't (regardless whether it was money, fear, lazyness doesn't matter). Which you have to understand where a boxer comes from, football and basketball players get payed 10x the amount of a fighter who could easily suffer brain damage or die, we've already had 5 deaths this year - so yeah they're gonna attempt to get what they can while they can. But nevertheless the big fights that keep the sport interesting aren't happening, atleast not without a fuss and making people believe the fight isn't going to take place. You really gotta love the warrior mentality of Taylor/Wright or Corrales/Castillo.

Anyone anytime anywhere

I see what your saying but i think joe is the worst example to use. The man is notorious for ducking people and just cause he finally grew some balls and fought someone after 10 years that doesn't mean he is the toughest guy out there. At the end you cant even compare joes and hops resume. Hop fought roy,unified the mw division after like 15 years, koed 2 legends in trinidad and de la hoya, defended title 20 times. All joe has done is beat an old Eubank and Jeff Lacy. He held the wbo belt almost 10 years before he even tried to unify.As of right now he just don't stack up to hop, maybe he'll do something in the coming years then we can judge better.

[Preme]

It's not that I think Bernard is a chicken S***, this is a growing trend in boxing and I'd like to see the primadonna I'm too good for this or that attitude go out the window. Thats what Bernard is guilty of and Joe isn't, even if he should of showed his face sooner he was still willing to fight when Bernard wasn't (regardless whether it was money, fear, lazyness doesn't matter). Which you have to understand where a boxer comes from, football and basketball players get payed 10x the amount of a fighter who could easily suffer brain damage or die, we've already had 5 deaths this year - so yeah they're gonna attempt to get what they can while they can. But nevertheless the big fights that keep the sport interesting aren't happening, atleast not without a fuss and making people believe the fight isn't going to take place. You really gotta love the warrior mentality of Taylor/Wright or Corrales/Castillo.

Anyone anytime anywhere

I see what your saying but i think joe is the worst example to use. The man is notorious for ducking people and just cause he finally grew some balls and fought someone after 10 years that doesn't mean he is the toughest guy out there. At the end you cant even compare joes and hops resume. Hop fought roy,unified the mw division after like 15 years, koed 2 legends in trinidad and de la hoya, defended title 20 times. All joe has done is beat an old Eubank and Jeff Lacy. He held the wbo belt almost 10 years before he even tried to unify.As of right now he just don't stack up to hop, maybe he'll do something in the coming years then we can judge better.

WoW - can you really be that much of an idiot, or are your last two posts on here a joke?