Calzaghe tops Hopkins in Las Vegas
by Scott Christ on Apr 19, 2008 11:22 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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Print| Bad Left Hook Unofficial Scorecard | |||||||||||||
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
| Bernard Hopkins | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 110 |
| Joe Calzaghe | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 117 |
Official Scores: 114-113 (Hopkins), 115-112 (Calzaghe), 116-111 (Calzaghe)
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Photo © Reuters
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Adalaide Byrd is the judge that scored it for Hopkins. I think she's off her nut, and I mean it. Harold Lederman of HBO scored it 116-111 for Calzaghe.
Compubox numbers:
Calzaghe: 232/707, 33%
Hopkins: 127/468, 27%
No one has ever landed more punches against Bernard Hopkins. The previous record was 206 by Roy Jones, Jr.
Hopkins knocked Calzaghe down on a right hand in the first round, and then I didn't have him winning a round again until the 10th.
Hopkins complained of a low blow in the tenth, and the shot was low. But when I say Hopkins complained, I mean he complained. He wandered around the ring, grimacing, limping. He complained in the 11th of a low blow that referee Joe Cortez didn't see, and no one else did, either.
It felt like Hopkins was preparing an excuse for not winning. I hate saying stuff like that, but we all know how Bernard can be.
And of course, after the fight, Hopkins said "everyone" except "the Brits" will know he won the fight. "I made it look slightly easy."
Frankly, I think he's delusional.
"One thing about boxing, the fans are the judges. ... I took a guy to school. ... I made him fight my fight. I think I won the fight, no question."
Well, here's one fan that saw Joe Calzaghe run away with the fight against Bernard Hopkins. And I'm not Welsh, British, or anything else.
Bottom line is, a 43-year old man finally looked like an aged fighter who couldn't hang with the opposition, at least to me. Hopkins' claims are not being met with any amount of cheering from the crowd in Las Vegas.
Bernard Hopkins is Bernard Hopkins. What can you do?
Congratulations to Joe Calzaghe, the new light heavyweight champion of the world. If they fought again, and I doubt it'll happen, I think Calzaghe would beat him even more convincingly. It took Joe a while to find his groove, but once he did, it was all over. He pressured Bernard, kept him moving all over the ring, wore him out, made him look tired and old.
Calzaghe is a great, great fighter. It's in the books. Calzaghe beats Hopkins on American soil.
What's the next question for Joe Cool?
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Ok fight...
What should Hopkins do next? I think retire. He could still beat some traditional fighters who don't throw 500 punches a fight in a light heavyweight fight, but no fight really interests me. He's done it all. He's beat some great fighters, and as much as I hate Joe Calzaghe there is no shame in losing to him.
As far as Calzaghe, I don't care because I refuse to watch him anymore. I got sick of hearing how he landed more punches then anybody on Bernard Hopkins. Yeah, but only about 50% were actual real hard punches and the rest had the same effect as being punched by an 8 year old girl scout. The slapping is annoying. It was quite clear when you watch the "flurries" that most of it was bullshit. Technically, they land, but c'mon it's a very cheap way to get points. But hey, that's his style and it earns points and it gets him wins so I still have to give him credit for doing what it takes to earn the victories. If I were to compare it to another sport, I would compare it to teams that flop in the NBA to draw charging calls. It's weak, but it's legit. Especially when the other guy hardly throws any punches.
And it would be nice for B-Hop to finally give credit to someone who beats him.
Hopkins
by Scott Christ on Apr 20, 2008 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Joe's Punches
Poor Bernard. It seems there must be an enormous global conspiracy of judges all out to get him. Take for example his fight with Winky...
Hopkins is so full of shit you almost respect him for being able to keep a straight face. Almost.
Hopkins
by Scott Christ on Apr 20, 2008 3:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I had Calzaghe, 115-112
My Fave Five: Paul Williams, Chad Dawson, Daniel Jacobs, Michael Katsidis, Andre Ward
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