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What's next for Calzaghe and Hopkins?

Following their showdown on Saturday night, the hot topic by Monday morning is, of course, what's next for both the victor, Joe Calzaghe, and the loser, Bernard Hopkins. Seems we could get some pretty quick answers.

Remember in January, when we wondered what was next for the allegedly reborn career of Roy Jones, Jr., and what might be next for his undersized victim, Tito Trinidad? Just combine all four.

The newly-crowned light heavyweight champion Calzaghe will most likely be returning to his home in Wales to take on the Jones, who has won three straight fights (all over questionable competition), reviving a career that most thought was irreparably in shambles.

Calzaghe is also saying it will be his final fight. The target date is November 15.

Should Calzaghe legitimately retire after fighting Jones, he has two possibilities. Before I continue much further, let me go ahead and be on record as saying that Calzaghe will not retire for good this year. Anyway, he could win, be 46-0, and retire with an undefeated mark, as he loves to talk about doing. I think it's a mildly empty benchmark, really, but I'm not a fighter, so I honestly can't comprehend the whole thing. Just from my perspective, it would make no difference to me whether he retires 46-0, 50-0, or 48-1 or 49-2 or something like that. He's a Hall of Fame-bound fighter, the greatest European fighter of his generation, and one of the best, period, of his generation. The super middleweight pinnacle is Joe Calzaghe from here on out.

Jones is excited to go to Wales, and I think he's kind of giving up on the whole boring Anderson Silva idea. While I'd have loved for Jones to dismantle Silva in a boxing match in front of a very big audience, much of it rooting for the UFC's Silva, it wouldn't have meant anything, and it wouldn't have brought a significant amount of MMA fans over to boxing long-term, I don't think. It's also just too predictable; the same as Jones would get killed by Silva in the Octagon, Silva would get manhandled by Jones in a boxing ring.

It's quite a turnaround from the days of old when Jones didn't want to go to Europe, and I offer this up not as proof, but to support my long-held belief that the people calling for Jones to go to Europe to fight Dariusz Michalczewski are the same people that later spent a lot of breath waiting for Calzaghe to come to the States. Jones was the money man; why did he need to go there? Why couldn't Dariusz come here? When Calzaghe found the right fight, he came to America.

The other fight being talked about is also a retirement/farewell/bon voyage, reportedly, with Hopkins facing Felix Trinidad for the second time. Reportedly, Don King has already called Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer to discuss the fight, according to Hopkins.

I have no doubt Bernard will take it. He destroyed Trinidad before, he'd do it again. Tito cannot hit hard enough to hurt Bernard Hopkins. He can't do it. He also isn't big enough to take shots from guys this size. Roy Jones lost three rounds to Trinidad because he was taking his time and getting a feel for what Tito's power would be at 170 pounds.

He found out what his power was. More specifically, he found out Tito didn't have any. After that, Jones ripped him apart, and I will say point blank that I believe Jones held back from knocking Trinidad out in that fight. He could have if he felt like it; and it wouldn't be the first time Jones did that. The same could be said for his 1996 bout with Mike McCallum, and probably a few more, too.

It's been almost seven years since the first time Hopkins retired Trinidad, when Tito was 40-0 and the hottest fighter in boxing. We could've had Tito-Roy back then; result would've been even worse, probably. Instead, Tito decided to take on Hopkins. So much for gearing up for Roy Jones, because Hopkins battered him for 11 rounds before finishing him off in the 12th.

My initial feelings, in short: Calzaghe-Jones? Yes, count me in. If we're going to find out what Roy has left, do it against the best. Hopkins-Trinidad II? I'll watch, of course, but I couldn't really care less. It's a foregone conclusion. I could write a draft for that fight's recap right now, look back on it once that fight is over, and probably be 85% right.

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Comments

Display:

Calzaghe-Jones, Trinidad-Hopkins
I feel the same about Trinidad-Hopkins II as I do about Mayweather-DLH II.  WHY?  It will be the same outcome as the first fight.  

Calzaghe - Jones?  The only reason why I don't care to see this happen, aside from me actively hating Joe Calzaghe's style of fighting, is that it adds absolutely nothing to his legacy. RJJ is old and way past his prime.  He doesn't have the boxing skill of a Bernard Hopkins to continue to compete against Joe Calzaghe.  The win over Tito was a win over an over-weight middleweight  at best.  And lets be honest, when Roy was at his best, Joe and Frank Warren did there absolute best to avoid a fight with Roy, despite talking alot of sh*t about wanting the fight. Jones would have absolutely destroyed him. The time for this fight has past.  Now they want him when he's old? That's just weak and pathetic.  

Take on Pavlik or Jermain Taylor at super middle weight Joe.  

by erod on Apr 21, 2008 9:45 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

re:
Pavlik is booked solid and I don't think Joe truly wants anything to do with Taylor, who can punch when he's motivated and on his game.

The one thing that intrigues me about Calzaghe-Jones is that old or not, Roy still has some of that old flash and maintains his athleticism. He's not near the fighter he once was, but he could present Calzaghe with some problems, similar to the way Calzaghe troubles everyone else. If Roy can move around (which he's still better at than Hopkins) and stick his shots in (which Bernard never did), I genuinely think he has a shot at winning that fight. Not a good one, mind you. But not a Cotto-Gomez or Oscar-Forbes longshot, either.

by SC on Apr 21, 2008 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that's sortof unfair to Calzaghe
forget adding to his legacy, look out for the man's bank account. Fighting Jones now is huge money, and I think it'd be a fun fight to watch. Why take a risk with Jermain Taylor? if he beat Taylor would it really add to his legacy to beat a guy who'd just lost his 3rd straight?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 21, 2008 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street
Unless Trinidad goes down he is not going anywhere. Before he fought Jones, he's training video proved everything showing that he can barely lift his hands at the weight he's in. The proof was taken further when he was striking Jones and it was like feather punches. I don't think Trinidad is going anywhere with Hopkins again unless he probably fights a washed up boxer trying to make a quick buck. Hopkins, for his age, is too quick and too strong. Hell, he did a good job with Calzaghe, just the warrior turnout the winner in the end. Howeve, I think Hopkins has atleast [unless he fights one last fight for a rematch with Calzaghe] atleast two fights under his belt and just call it quits. Put it like this, I think if there ever is a Trinidad-De La Hoya II Oscar wins this time around. Nonetheless, I would watch Trinidad-De La Hoya II than sit through another bore-bottom Mayweather-De La Hoya II.

From Calzaghe's previous fights I was not too impressed until Saturday. Eventhough, I thought Joe Cortez was going to be the third boxer in the ring at some time Calzaghe impressed me very much. A Jones-Calzaghe will be tremendous. Jones pretty good and Calzaghe looks to be at the top of his game. That is unless he decides to drop his hands like an ass waiting to get knocked out like he did during the fight, maybe he changes his ways who knows. I will clearly watch that fight with Calzaghe penetrating through victory. I doubt Jones will be capable keeping up with those speed fist launches of Calzaghe. It will be very exciting match up. If the fight happens, probably on PPV, I'd say the 10th round-Calzaghe.

by CRAZEDANG1280 on Apr 21, 2008 11:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

re:
also what the hell was going on with Calzaghe's sloppy slapboxing style?

by CRAZEDANG1280 on Apr 21, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

re:
You've seen Calzaghe before right? No one's saying he fights pretty.

by SC on Apr 21, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seniors tour
Hopkins has already sworn on a stack of bibles that he won't fight anyone under 35, and if the Zags fight was any indication, he shouldn't.  Calzaghe doesn't want any part of the young guns either, and will only be looking for old money from here on out.  Actually none of these Lt. Heavy fights being kicked get my motor running.  Trinidad now wants to do what - 175?  172 and 1/2?  Their first fight was a great fight, and my most memorable experience at the garden.  That fight was also seven whole years ago.  It'll be more one-sided than the Jones fight, and will just be there so Hop can go out with a win.  Who cares?    

Personally, I think Hop should just retire immediately.  He's not defending any belts, his legacy is secure and he's 43 daggum years old!  He should just train, do color, promote, etc.  But hey its his life.

by jrok on Apr 21, 2008 12:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Pavlik, Pavlike, Pavlik
It has to be Pavlik, has to be. Beating a past it Jones won't do anything for Clazaghe, other than pad his bank balance.

It's a win - win fight for Pavlik. He wins, and he's beat a hall of famer, the greatest super middleweight of all time. He losses, and he's lost to a great.

I lick my chops of the thought of this fight, think it would be very intriguing, and a good style match up.

by Fancyclown on Apr 21, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Pavlik
Look for this fight to happen, but not real soon. Joe will fight Jones in Wales, "retire," and then come out of retirement to fight Pavlik when he has a couple more wins under his belt and, hopefully, a little more mainstream appeal.

That's my guess anyway.

by Matt Miller on Apr 21, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

re:
It's possible. Look at Tito, came back strong, now he should just stay retired. Unfortunately for him he has his father behind him with his just for men shampoo number 10.

by CRAZEDANG1280 on Apr 21, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

me too
But the earliest it looks like this could possibly happen is spring 2009. Pavlik has Lockett (July), Rubio (September) and then Abraham (December? January?) in line. Calzaghe-Jones will happen in November. It's a should-win for Joe, offers a good amount of money, and I don't really think he'll retire. He harps on retiring with a perfect record, but he's a competitor. That fire's not going to go away while he's still in fighting shape.

by SC on Apr 21, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pavlik
Honestly?  Pavlik eats Joe's lunch.  Joe got a little red-faced getting dropped by Nard's 43-year-old right hand.  A straight right from Spooky, and Joe ain't waking up any time soon.  I think it'll happen sometime in 2009, and I think it'll be short.

by jrok on Apr 22, 2008 1:07 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Calzaghe vs Jones
Should be an entertaining fight. It will probably go the distance. The hand speed will fun to watch. Hopefully, the fight actually happens. Jones has always been a tough negotiator.

Pavlik vs Calzaghe won't end well for Joe. I think Pavlik's punching power would prove to be too much, especially if they're fighting at middleweight. Calzaghe should probably just kick Tarver's arse and bounce, after the Jones fight, if that happens.

by E ROC on Apr 22, 2008 1:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

There's three ways Calzaghe can go
1.) Roy Jones Jr. (175)
2.) Jermain Taylor (168)
3.) Kelly Pavlik (168)

In terms of name, it has to be Jones. In terms of money, it has to be Pavlik. In terms of a meeting somewhere in the middle, it'd be Taylor. To be honest, I'd like to see him face Pavlik but that won't happen most likely. I'd like to see him face Talyor but that won't happen either. That leaves Roy Jones Jr. as the lone man left. Why not let them fight? It'll legitimize Calzaghe's career even more. People will say: "But the last two people he beat were in their 40's." True. But they were still great in their 40's. They were still winning fights at a nice rate. And they are Hall of Famers. I'd like to see him face Lucian Bute but he never will. Calzaghe will take the Jones fight and retire 46-0. His final three career wins will have been over fighters with a record of 139-8-1 at the time of their bouts. Not a bad way to go out.

-----------------------------------
My Fave Five: Paul Williams, Chad Dawson, Daniel Jacobs, Michael Katsidis, Andre Ward

by FlyByKnight on Apr 22, 2008 5:33 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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