Calzaghe versus Hopkins, point/counterpoint, who ya pickin?

Question

HOPKINS PROS: Intelligent fighter, very adept and lots or ring saavy. In EXCELLENT shape for his age. Good at infighting and outside, excellent cheater.

HOPKINS CONS: Reserves himself, slow starter, fights sporadically...has a tendency to withdraw when equally matched, only fought Tarver at this weight.

CALZAGHE PROS: Excellent condition, great movement, extremely high workrate, fights awkward enough to be functional, seeking world recognition.

CALZAGHE CONS: Hasnt fought a world class competitor, experience limited to local fighters, and therefore hasnt been exposed to different styles.

Your thoughts, picks?

Answer 1

If Bhop loses this fight Ill be very surprised!Yes he's aging,so is Calzaghe,but the quality of Hopkins opponents are in a different class to Clazaghes,I lent my friends complete collection of both these fighters the other day,and 5 fellow Brits came to the same conclusion,Hopkins Will KO Joe Calzaghe.I went to see 1 of Calzaghe's fights in England,Robin Reid.ad I and others there reckoned he lost to Reid,Ive seen Kesslers fight and I again thought Kessler won.Joe panics when a fighter doesnt buckle,and he'll panic this time because Hopkins will KO hin around round 7/8.

Answer 2

calzaghe wins on points

Answer 3

CALZAGHE

Answer 4

People tend to look at the age factor of Hopkins and 43 is old for a boxer, but 36 is not young either, still seven years weighs heavily in Joe's favor.  I think it will be decided by Calzaghe's work rate, Joe will simply throw more punches and hope to win a decision.  Eventually age must factor in, but the experience factor balances it out, I think Hopkins will hold his own, but eventually Joe will pile up enough rounds to take the decision.  I will be surprised if Hopkins can KO Calzaghe, if Kessler couldn't odds are good Bernard will have just as tough a time doing it, and I think Bernard needs a KO to win it.

Calzaghe by decision.

Answer 5

I'm going with Calzaghe, although I think down the stretch Hopkins is gonna look better, but Calzaghe's handspeed and awkward movement will win the day.  The only way I see Hopkins winning this is by fighting dirty really early on in the fight, which is not entirely out of the question.

Answer 6

Hopkins by decision , a knockout would be amazing and put a giant exclamation point in hopkins carear but I wouldnt rule out him knocking him out just find it pretty unlikely. Hopkins is one of  the few  or only current active fighters who can be classified as a  legend already. Calzaghe has a much higher work rate and will apply pressure early to hopkins but i think that will actualy work against Calzaghe in this fight. Hopkins is  just too crafty for Joe , take a look at some other recent fights and i think the same will happen for Hopkins as it did with nate campell against Diaz  and like it happened the other night with Casamayor.The older/wiser/craftier vet pulling off the win. Hopkins is much better conditioned than Joe and has a ton more experience especialy in big fights. I think the pressure might be too much for Calzaghe in this fight even if he is the favorite. He is fighting in the U.S for the first time , hes fighting at ligh heavy for the first time and he is facing the toughest opponent he has ever faced by a lot not just a little. Kessler and lacy cant even be mentioned in the same sentence as Hopkins. Calzaghe needs Hopkins , Hopkins doesnt need him he doesnt even need to win the fight even a loss wouldnt damage Hopkins carear. I just dont think anyone else out there other than Hopkins is good enough to beat  Calzaghe. Heard talk of him down the road possibly fighting jones or pavlik but i think Calzaghe would beat both of them.

Answer 7

Calzaghe, Hopkins is to old, he will get his *** beat

Answer 8

I'm going with Calzaghe just because I don't like Hopkins.