Hopkins dismisses Calzaghe - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

T-Bone · 04-04-2008, 09:06 AM

Hopkins is still trying to stir the pot. I guess you can't blame the guy for trying to hype up this one. I do like the comment about Joe finally coming to the U.S. though...hinting at his fighting out of his element and the favorable crowds he's accustomed to.

Hopkins dismisses Calzaghe - Boxing - Yahoo! Sports

Quote:

Bernard Hopkins has vowed to make Joe Calzaghe look “amateurish” in their big Las Vegas light-heavyweight fight on April 19 - and says the Welshman’s phenomenal work rate will play right into his hands.

Veteran Hopkins has dismissed the challenge posed by Calzaghe, who famously threw over 1,000 punches on his way to victory over Jeff Lacy in March 2006.

And the Philadelphian insists the more Calzaghe seeks to swarm him with punches, the easier it will be for him to soak up his shots and catch him with his trademark accurate counter attacks.

“Don’t be surprised when I make it look easy and I make him look amateurish, but only after I’ve given him punishment. Joe won’t quit but his father is going to have to step in to save him,” Hopkins said. “I love a guy who punches hard because I don’t have to do much work. When you fight a guy like Winky Wright you have to get the turtle out of its shell. This guy likes to fire, he likes to punch and I like that.

“This is no comparison to Winky Wright where you have to figure out a way through. This is a guy who likes to throw 1,000 punches. I hope he’ll throw those punches because that will really help me shine.”

The 43-year-old Hopkins has dismissed Calzaghe’s claims to all-time greatness and believes the threat level posed by his latest opponent pales into insignificance compared to previous foes like Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya.

“I don’t see anything that can I say wow, I should be intimidated,” Hopkins said. “I’m going to prove that he’s an ordinary Joe, and the reason he didn’t come to the US was because it was his worst nightmare, knowing he would get his ass kicked.”

Mulla · 04-04-2008, 09:27 AM

Kinda ironic....looking at Hopkins's record on Boxrec he's had 1 fight out of 54 that wasnt in America lol.

Ive also just looked up Calzaghe's record and 4 of his last 7 fights took place outside of Wales. In fact only 17 out of his 43 fights took place in Wales.

T-Bone · 04-04-2008, 09:59 AM

I hear ya. Just saying it just seems that Calzaghe almost always has the crowd behind him - his last couple of fights outside Wales were in Manchester against Bika and Lacy - and they're not Brits.

Having said that...I am rooting for Calzaghe.

By the way, how far is Cardiff from Manchester?

Normo · 04-04-2008, 11:32 AM

Its not that far in all fairness. I think its about 100mile. Cardiff is bottom of Wales and Manchester left of England.

I hope and predict Calzaghe to win by decision

FightFan76 · 04-05-2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulla

Kinda ironic....looking at Hopkins's record on Boxrec he's had 1 fight out of 54 that wasnt in America lol.

Ive also just looked up Calzaghe's record and 4 of his last 7 fights took place outside of Wales. In fact only 17 out of his 43 fights took place in Wales.

Exactly; B-hop will lose this fight 1 way or another and if he really decides to mix it up w/ Joe he will get finished. However, from the way he is talking he will be doing alot of running unfortunately and will lose in decision.....