Help me break down Hopkins-Calzaghe?

Question

I can't recall Hopkins ever having been seriously hurt. What fighters, if any, have hurt Hopkins. Also, I'm trying to determine just how much power Calz has. Who has he hurt that was of quality chin?

Does Calz have enough power to make B-Hop respect him? Can Hopkins wade through Calzaghe's best without pause?

Answer 1

I cant recall Hopkins ever being seriously hurt either, but i cant recall Calzaghe being seriously hurt either himself, The worst ive seen him was when he was knocked down by Byron Mitchell, but came back to knock him out about thirty seconds later in that fight.

I think Calzaghe has decent enough power but he wins his fightys more on volume of punches rather than one punch power. I cant see him K0 ing Hopkins though but i expect him to beat him on points.

Answer 2

i think the question is how more much power is calzaghe gunna have at light heavy if its alot i think hopkins might be in trouble as joe doesnt have a problem landing

Answer 3

Hopkins was down twice in his first fight with Segundo Mercado (which resulted in a draw).  Also Antwun Echols hit him with a pretty good shot that buzzed him.  Other than that, I don't think he's ever been in any serious trouble.  I don't think Calzaghe has that much power, the way he gets to his opponents is through velocity and an accumulation of punches (like he did with Lacy and Kessler).  I think Hopkins will be able to walk through whatever Calzaghe dishes out, and plus Hopkins is a very defensive fighter who knows all the tricks and can sometimes turn a fight ugly/dirty.  That being said, I favor Calzaghe to win because of how active he is during the course of his fights, but I will be rooting for Hopkins.  Hopkins though is something like 11-0 vs. southpaws and if he can land enough of his straight rights to neutralize Calzaghe's offense then he could make the fight interesting and possibly come out with the "W."

Answer 4

I don't really recall Hopkins chin being tested - I know Taylor rocked him once or twice, but those looked to have as much to do with balance as power.

Both guys power is sort of a question mark to me; I don't think either is a big homerun hitter, but are capable of hurting the other.  

I don't see either guy touching the canvas, there may be a few big shots but this fight is going to be determined by who can impose their pace:

I'm betting that Calzaghe will simply outwork Hopkins throughout the first 4-5 rounds, I don't believe Hopkins intends to do anything but land a couple hard shots, throw counters sparingly and rough Joe up in the clinch whenever possible through those rounds.

The question is, will Calzaghe wear himself out, punching, being tied up, nerves, etc. - if he does, Hopkins will slow the pace in the last half of the fight, and that is where he can start scoring points - if the just stand there and go one or 2 shots at a time Hopkins has a big advantage.  Calzaghe is pretty slick, but Hopkins style doesn' leave much room for error as far as landing shots goes.

If Calzaghe can keep a comfortable pace for him, throwing 60 - 70 punches a round, I think he can make it an easy night - if Hopkins can figure a way to slow it down make it a battle of pot shots and counters, I think his style and experience in big fights against better competition will give him a distinct edge going down the stretch.

Answer 5

The key for Joe is volume and amount of punches, he must keep his activity level higher than anything Hopkins can return.  He has to out work Bernard, and win with conditioning and numbers.  Odds are this one is going the distance, and that youth or at least activity will be how Joe decisions Hopkins.  Skill wise, Joe has never been in the ring with they type of fighter Hopkins is, and if age hasn't put Joe on equal footing, Bernard will counter well and squeeze out the decision.  I don't anticipate any knock downs or KO's this one will be Joe's pressure and activity vs Bernard's counter punching and defense.  It would surprise me if Hopkins tries to slug, he doesn't strike me as a heavy hitter and Kessler tested Joe's chin,  it passed the test.  This one will be a technical boxing match that goes to the score cards, and it will be closer than most would like.

It's a huge step up for Calzaghe, we will see how Joe responds to the big stage, Hopkins is already a known quanity, Joe will be tested and when it's over we will know what Hopkins as left in the tank as well.  It's gonna be a good fight.

Answer 6

if Hopkins loses, he might lose with a decision, if he wins, he might win with a knockout

Answer 7

if i remember correctly Antwun Echols either hit Hopkins on the break or at the bell that sent BHOP to the mat Hard, in their first fight.... It was not considered a Knockdown but Hopkins was hurt..... as far as Calzaghe, im  not sure what to think of the guy... he is better than any other Middleweight but he may not have enough Skill or more importantly power to Make BHOP respect him ...Calzaghes best performance was against Kessler but who has Kessler fought for us to say is a great fighter like Hopkins.... Calzaghes style of slap boxing reminds of Paul Williams and like Williams there is not a lot of Power behind his punches so if he were to beat HOpkins would be by SPlit Decision...... the best fighter Calzaghe Hurt was Manfredo maybe Lacy but since they are both scrubs is a mute point ..... i believe Hopkins will lose the early rounds of their fight but by the 4th round he should be stalking Joe and putting hard pressure on the body to keep him from running later.... i think Calzaghe will put up a great fight but the Old Man will end it early with a 10th or 11th round TKO .....

Answer 8

It doesnt matter how much power Calzaghe has, Hopkins is so skillful, and you know he is, that he will manage to keep Calzaghe off balance, therefore he takes the steam off the punches Calzaghe is throwing. Another thing see is that Calzaghe throws to many punches and open too, allowing B-Hop to counter effectively when HE wants.

Answer 9

I think Ive made my case against Calzaghe numerous times before,to the real anger of fellow Brits so my position is this.Hopkins has not been hurt to the point were he was in danger of loseing.His style of fighter maybe slower,he's what i call a stalker,you get the impression he's in control and something will happen.His background has conditioned him well to fear no man and this is one guy who will neither fear or give Calzaghe any respect his mediocre opponents have given him here in Britain.Inshort Calzaghe has beaten noone of any note and will not hurt BHop,i feel the Calzaghe camp are in for a shock against 'Popkins' has they are calling him,Hopkins I think will ko Calzaghe rnd 10.