Joe Calzaghe maintained his undefeated status, winning a majority decision against Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins. Well it looks as if this executioner’s blade is getting blunt in his old age…What are your thoughts on the fight?
In the earlier rounds it was all Hopkins. Straight away Bernard Hopkins floored Calzaghe in the first round, although Calzaghe quickly got up and recovered. Still, the momentum was fully behind Hopkins and Calzaghe wasn’t able to get through Hopkins’ tight defence.
However, Hopkins was headbutting, or at the very least leading with his head and the fight got a bit messy. The score was evened up when Calzaghe gave Hopkins a low blow. No points were deducted from Calzaghe which is fair enough as Hopkins was getting away with using his head too much.
With one round to go the Boxing Daily Team was split 2-2 on whether Hopkins or Calzaghe was slightly ahead on points. As this fight is in the USA, against an American fighter, we all knew that Calzaghe not only needs to win this, but win it convincingly in order to get the decision from the judges. However round 12 was a frustrating one for Calzaghe and it is clear he wanted to do a lot more.
But..The judges gave this fight to Calzaghe! I thought that if this went to a decision Calzaghe would get it and that appears to have come true!
As a Brit I’m thrilled Calzaghe won!
But, what did you think of the Hopkins - Calzaghe fight?
Did Joe Calzaghe deserve to win?
How do you think the referee should have responded to the headbutting form Hopkins?
One things is for sure. You cannot win all fights by just hugging, running and headbutting. The exception has happened today.
Comment by john — April 20, 2008 @ 4:07 am
Hopkins is a really sore looser listening to him today.
Im glad our man won but would of preferred a better fight.
Comment by AceRimmer — April 20, 2008 @ 10:45 am
Most definately Joe deserved to win, he looked for it & tried to make a fight of it. Hopkins had a bag of tricks but joe had just to much. A good day for Welsh sport. Joe has now beaten the Best in europe & the i think the americans are finally getting what he is all about. well done mate.
Comment by deano — April 20, 2008 @ 10:46 am
Joe Calzaghe wot a man he and ricky hatton wot boxers 2 men who deserve belts and to be champions cum on joe and the HITMAN
Comment by nico 9 — April 20, 2008 @ 10:54 am
Joe desrved to win against an old pro and spoiler. Whilst I admire Bernards obvous skills, he frustrates and fiddles his way through a fight. I did not like his time wasting - old pros trick seen through by educated fight fans. I think the fight was oh so close and it was a case of what you liked. I have to give it to Joe for not being negative and always coming forward.He made me so proud to be a Brit. Well done Joe, top of the world Ma.
Comment by Kirk Dickenson — April 20, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
I thought right decision - was worried when it said split decision, but clamed down when the 116-111 score was read out and knew that not even the most partisan Philly spectator could have it that wide to Hopkins. Joe was just too young for hopkins - he fought all of every round, was the only guy trying to fight a boxing match from the 6th round onwards, and thoroughly deserved his victory. Hopkins looked a good old man, but an old man none the less
Comment by Tom Barcis — April 20, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
All I will say is this. It is what it is, A win for Joe. BUT I had it a draw. Cal would have been up by 1 but the knock down in round one made it a draw in my books. Calzaghe did nothing but land SMALL little punches that added up. Hopkins looked fresh and still looked he could have kept going in rd 12. Calzaghe and HIS corner both thought he had lost the fight. Hopkins said it like it was. CALZAGHE fought Hopkins fight (more than half the fight IMO), he never was hurt, and Joe didn’t anything LAND that great. Hopkins landed power shot after power shot. DID JOE LAND more punches? YES. Impressive? lol no. Hopkins MADE him fight his fight. Yes slow and boring. But HOP did exactly what he said he was going to do and it should have came out a draw if not hop ahead by one. Joe clearly didn’t look like JOE, compared to him getting off like he did against “WORLD CLASS FIGHTERS” Manfredo, Kessler or even Lacy. HOP made him SLOW and amateurish. HOP was boring BUT I expected it. AND may I add, WHO FOUGHT DIRTY? HOP never used his head, shoulders, elbows or anything dirty. I honestly think that was HIS cleanest FIGHT I have ever seen. Joe was the one hitting low. Where they that bad or intentional? I think not. BUT HOP fought a clean fight. Did he HOLD a lot? YES but a boxer that SLAPS 100 plus times a round you have to do exactly what HOP did. I honestly don’t see how the judge had the card that big of a difference. Anyway im content with the outcome. I know it was a DRAW at best. Calzaghe looked defeated the whole first half the fight and it wasn’t until after HOP went down twice to “low blows” did he get confident. I believe IF it was the other way around (HOP HITTING LOW) it would have been a REALLY REALLY BIG DEAL, especially if HOP would have acted like he was doing calzaghe in the ass….. That was PRETTY GAY if you ask me. But if that’s how you do it, than that’s all you guys. Over all JOE felt HOPS POWER AND WENT DOWN, Calzaghe NEVER even made HOP flinch, i think he made him WINK at his little punches that added up. So Anyway I have no idea what would be next for either fighter. I think a JONES JR VS Calzaghe would be OK. Joe can’t knock out an OLD GLASS JOWED JONES and JONES can knock JOE out. Jones I think is faster, but Joe would have more endurance. It would be interesting. I can see Joe retiring while he can. BUT who knows.
Comment by WES — April 21, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
that was a Jones “CANT” KO JOE, if anyone was wondering.
Comment by WES — April 21, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Some really good comments here guys, keep it up!
Comment by Boxing Daily — April 23, 2008 @ 5:40 am