Down But Not Out,
Calzaghe Picks Himself Up Past Hopkins!
By: John Sardelis
April 19th, Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada: In his first trip to the US Joe “The Pride of Whales” Calzaghe 44-0, 32 Ko’s took on his toughest test to date meeting Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins 48-4-2, 32 Ko’s. “The Executioner” welcomed the Welshman with a counter straight right hand planting him on his seat about a minute into the opening round. The tough Welshman looked more bewildered than hurt and held off the single punching “Ring Magazine” 175lb champion.
The second round saw Hopkins landing single shots then grabbing on. Calzaghe still looks a little off balance then the two trade at the shots closing the round waking Calzaghe up. Nothing heavy landed but Calzaghe was warned for hitting low.
In the third round Hopkins appeared content but the Welshman was coming around. Hopkins worked his right hand and Calzaghe answered with a clean straight left, right hook.
Round four started with a Hopkins right and the “Executioner” grabed on causing referee Joe Cortez to warn Hopkins for holding. Calzaghe began moving with his hands low but he managed to reach Hopkins with a couple of left hands. Calzaghe was getting into his rhythm and controlled the last part of the round.
In round five Calzaghe continued to move with his hands low but he was the aggressor. Calzaghe appeared to be trying to trap Hopkins, looking to catch him coming in. Hopkins continued his slow methodic pace throwing one then grabbing on.
Round six was another close round with Hopkins working inside but Calzaghe closed the round throwing flurries, almost slapping at times.
In round seven Calzaghe had his best round despite referee Cortez having to keep breaking the two. Calzaghe scored with several good left hands while Hopkins landed a good straight right counter but no damage done.
In the eighth round Calzaghe continued to control the pace getting Hopkins to the ropes, again scoring with his left hand. The Welshman is outworking the “Ring Magazine” champion.
In round nine its Hopkins rights for Calzaghes lefts. Hopkins attempted to meet the Welshman’s pace but missed wildly with several combinations.
In the tenth Hopkins cried from a borderline low punch and was granted about a four minute rest. The crowd roared in disbelief and Calzaghe exalted the crowd. Calzaghe lets his hands go when the action resumed as Hopkins struggled to throw combinations.
The championship rounds began with a Calzaghe left which Hopkins quickly answered with a solid right. Claiming low blow again Hopkins got another break but this time Calzaghe frustrated maked him pay with a cracking left as the action resumed. The two traded flurries with nothing big landing Calzaghe remained the aggressor.
The twelfth and final round opened with Hopkins refusing to touch gloves maybe having a premonition of the scores to come. Calzaghe remains the busier fighter out working Hopkins but neither fighter landed anything decisive.
Well I got part of it right! Calzaghe did hit the deck and it was counter right hand. But the fight resembled “The Executioner’s” previous two loses. He was just out worked and didn’t land enough clean counter shots to negate all the clinching and holding. Hopkins never seemed to put it on the line and after this below par outing, forty three might be a good place for “B Hop” to call it quits. Although Calzaghe was the aggressor applied the pressure most of the fight if he is concerned about keeping his zero he better stick with meeting the aging Roy Jones Jr. in his next bout. Busy power punching super middleweights Jermaine Taylor and Kelly Pavlik will now join Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson and Chad Dawson waiting in line.
Hopkins Calzaghe Pre Fight Press conference click here
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Why Hopkins Will Beat Calzaghe!
By: John Sardelis
April 18th: Calzaghe \ Hopkins has it all. Both fighters are world champions, just from different parts of the world. Add race, styles, personalities and a Calzaghe undefeated record, you couldn’t ask for more.
Most experts claim Calzaghe, a southpaw doesn’t have a weakness. If there is anyone who can find one, Hopkins is the man. The 43 year old American veteran’s experience includes the longest reign of the middleweight title, the most title defenses as middleweight champion (20) and he is the oldest fighter in history to ever hold the world middleweight title.
His experience both in and out of the ring will play a major part in the out come of this fight.
Hopkins spent five years in prison and lost his first professional fight. He has developed through the experience of wars. He is a defensive genius and has beaten all eleven southpaws he has faced. He has beaten world champions Felix Trinidad, Oscar DeLaHoya, “Winky” Wright and the “Magic Man” Antonio Tarver. Even his latest losses, two close fights with then undefeated Jermaine Taylor, (many thought Hopkins won the first) was a learning grid for the great champion. Putting aside all the little tricks he has in his bag, the Executioner has excellent counterpunching skills and will trap the Welshman in one of his early volleysand mark the fight. Calzaghe a south paw beat Jeff Lacy and the young Mikkel Kessler the only world wide recognizable opponents the Welshman has faced. Taking on a Sakio Bika and a Peter Manfredo both “Contenders” would be filler fights for most. Consider Bika had his moments. Calzaghe may have the edge in speed and work-rate because of a seven year age differential but that will be neutralized by Hopkins style and intense training under conditioning guru Mackey Shilstone. Shilstone remodeled Hopkins for his first trip to light heavy when he outclassed Antonio Tarver. Shilstone is joined in camp by Naseem Richardson, Hopkins long time trainer, Freddy Roach and John David Jackson who just guided veteran Nate Cambell to a big victory over “The Baby Bull” Juan Diaz. Can the father son team of Enzo and Joe Calzaghe take on all that experience?
The fight will come down to that old debate who wins the busier guy or the fighter or the one landing the cleaner more effective shots. Hopkins won’t turtle up like many of Calzaghe’s opponents his defense its part of the plan. Hopkins right hand will be the difference, it will introduce “The Pride of Wales” to the canvas, some place he has never been. Referee Joe Cortez, could be a factor in the fight but only if Hopkins lets him in his head ala Ricky Hatton. These two will meet again Calzaghe won’t close the door on a loss!
