What historic significance will come if Bernard Hopkins beats Calzaghe and/or vice versa?

Question

Will it destroy one's legacy, will the victory be downplayed because of the age, will they both benefit or do they both have just as much to gain or lose as the other?

Answer 1

I don't think either has much to gain. if Calzaghe wins people will say well he beat an old fighter way past his prime.If he loses people will say that he was always overrated because he only fought in Wales and when he finally came to fight in America he got beat by an over the hill fighter. If B-Hop wins they Will say he just beat an overrated fighter.If he loses people will say he was to old to still fight.A very good question

Answer 2

The historical significance is that Calzaghe is fighting a name opponent outside of Europe.  Hopkins is already one of the most accomplished Middle weight champion's in history, his legacy is at 160.  By rights Calzaghe should take advantage of both the size and age of Hopkins and abuse the smaller, older man.  Bernard is far and away the most skilled boxer Joe has fought, and this fight is designed to show case Calzaghe out side of Europe to the American public.

Joe has a lot more to lose than Bernard.  Many consider Calzaghe protected and unproven.  This is Joe's attempt to write his legacy outside of Europe.  Hopkins is already proven on the international stage.  Joe, not so much, but a lot of the questions attached to Calzaghe will be answered with Hopkins.

Answer 3

If Bernard Hopkins beats Joe Calzaghe, he will get a ton of credit for beating a younger, busier fighter, especially after beating Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright.  If Calzaghe wins, he will get a lot of credit because he just beat the light-heavyweight champ and it will be and it will be a solid victory, but he will not get as much credit as Hopkins because he will have beat a 43 year old Hopkins and this fight is coming years after it should have taken place.  So if Hopkins loses it will not do anything to harm his legacy and if Calzaghe loses it will be seen as a loss to a living legend who is still going strong at 43 so I don't think it will really hurt his legacy either.

Answer 4

I believe Calzaghe has the most to lose. Hopkins has a big mouth but is really past his prime, he's also dribbled off saying he won't loose to a white boy.

Calzaghe will already go down as a legend but if he looses to this clown it will damage him.

My call is he will absolutely wipe the floor with Hopkins anyway!

Answer 5

Well Hopkins will be like 43 when this happens, and hes pretty much washed up and as a fan of his i dont see how he can win without a freak KO which hes not known for. So if calzaghe wins, then he beat a old fighter way past his prime and probably fights Roy Jones next who is on the same boat as Hopkins.

If hopkins wins, that will be major. Calzaghe has serious skills. Hes the total package and as many boxing fans say "he fights like a black man." the guy has foot speed and handspeed and combination speed, and hes accurate. Hes a rare breed especially at his weight class. Its to bad he didnt fight in the U.S. more, or else he would get more credit. If hopkins beats him Hopkins will not just be considered a great middleweight, but among the top p4p.

I dont see how it is possible for Hop to win this, hes outgunned in everyway possible. I see no strengths hop has over calzaghe except for experience and knowledge, and dirty tactics, and at this point he may be so far gone that none of that will matter.

Answer 6

the historic significance is DLHoya making another megamillion bucks

Answer 7

Bernard wont gain that much at all except for a great payday. He has already proven himself. Calzaghe has everything to gain by beating an established american fighter. Calzaghe will win this fight while retiring B-hop and finally getting the recognition he deserves.

Answer 8

Dude,  Hopkins is 43 years old.  How can BHOP  destroy his legacy when he is fighting an undefeated fighter who is in the  prime of his career?  I see this as a win/win situation for Hopkins because if he wins then he beats a way over rated European fighter who was never really been challenged,  but if he loses,  he lost because he was 43 years old and 6 to 7 years past his prime.  The only way I see Hopkins legacy being tarnished is if he gets knocked outof the ring and taken to the hospital on a stretcher but you and I know this will not happen because he is was to technically sound for that to happen and Calzaghe is not a big puncher.  On the other hand I do not like this fight for Calzaghe at all.  For the same reasons,  if he beats Bernard then he beats him because Bernard is over the hill,  but if he loses then it means he can't even beat a 43 year old man.  A lose/lose situation for Calzaghe.

Answer 9

Hopkins has more to gain that Calzaghe as although he has more big names on his record he will still be the underdog. This is partly due to him being a natural middleweight rather than a light heavyweight, but its mainly because he is 43 and shouldent really still be as good as he is at that age. Calzaghe although getting on a bit at 35 himself will be seen as much the younger man, and has an undefeated record which many people feel lacks the big name fighters. By fighting Hopkins he will certainly be fighting a big name but a big name past his prime, if only by a little bit but due to this he wont get great recognition for beating him. If he loses to Hopkins it will tarnish his legacy for sure. But if Hopkins loses to Calzaghe it wont tarnish his legacy much, but if he wins he will be considered a legend and deservedly so. But having said that i see Calzaghe beating Hopkins unanimously on points in a realitivly close fight.

Answer 10

Can't say anything over and above what others have said really, but what I will add is Hopkins is still top 5 p4p, so amongst actual boxing fans who realise Bernard is still a massive threat, winning this would still be a massive achievement for Joe.