Hopkins Goads Joe Calzaghe
By Robert Ecksel December 17th, 2006The Executioner beats the Joe Calzaghe drum loudly
After unbeaten super middleweight sensation Joe Calzaghe dispatches Peter Manfredo Jr. on April 7 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, his stock will have climbed even further, making his post-Manfredo opponent of even greater interest than it is now.
Middleweight king Jermain Taylor, who wants to move up in weight after another easy defense, this time against Sergio Mora, has been mentioned as a possible Calzaghe challenge, but the fight most people want to see is Joe versus the recently un-retired Bernard Hopkins, who appears to have abandoned his quest to fight WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev, at least for now.
“You can say what you want about Bernard Hopkins,â€? the 41-year-old Hopkins, referring to himself in the third person, told icWales on Sunday, “but the one thing you can’t deny is that I’m a star. I’m in the top three pay-per-view fighters in the last few years as I fight people with credibility, for example Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Jermain Taylor and Antonio Tarver. I guarantee a huge audience.â€?
There is no denying that Hopkins is a star, but so is Calzaghe, albeit not of the magnitude of B-Hop, at least not yet.
“Joe Calzaghe hasn’t a track record on pay-per-view so he cannot dictate terms over here. He may be able to do what he wants in England, but in America he’s a nobody,â€? continued Hopkins. “If Calzaghe wants Bernard Hopkins, he’ll have to pay. I’m a businessman first, fighter second. And I’m not chasing Joe Calzaghe. Joe Calzaghe must understand I don’t need him, he needs me. If he thinks I’m fighting in England, it’s not going to happen.â€?
Although I’m not privy to the ultimate ins and outs of making Calzaghe’s first bout after Manfredo, that’s Frank Warren’s doing, my understanding is that Manfredo was chosen as a steppingstone specifically to draw an American audience to the Welshman’s next fight, which will be broadcast on HBO, before Calzaghe comes to the States to fight his fight on this side of the pond.
“His promoter Frank Warren will want the best deal for him and his fighter, but I’m big box office and must be paid accordingly. But I’m always fair and this deal can be done quickly one way or another. Then I can go back to having fun and making money without taking the punches.â€?
For those who wonder how Hopkins makes money without taking punches, he offered a few details: “I’m setting up real estate, I’m CEO of a promotion company and I’ve movie deals coming out of my arse, so I don’t need the fight.â€?
Admittedly, Hopkins, should he fight Calzaghe, will be the toughest customer Joe has faced during his stellar career.
“I’m not your ordinary fighter. Joe Calzaghe doesn’t just need a big fight but a big name fight,â€? said Hopkins. “Forget Jermain Taylor. The only credible legend out there at the moment is Bernard Hopkins. Roy Jones Jr. is a spent force. It’s no big deal knocking him out. I’m the man… It’s Bernard Hopkins, who is a living legend, versus Joe Calzaghe, who wants to be a living legend. But it’s more than Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe, it’s orthodox vs. southpaw and USA vs. Britain.â€?
For those who think Hopkins’ trash talk indicates he has no respect for Calzaghe, think again.
“Joe Calzaghe showed why he has been a champion for damn near a decade,” said Hopkins. “He can fight. He’s a tough, in-your-face fighter with the boxing skills to imitate a modern-day Jake LaMotta. LaMotta was a tough, rugged guy. Even if you broke his nose he’d still come back for more. Joe has the heart of Arturo Gatti and epitomizes a boxer’s mentality.”
December 17th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
I’m so tired of both these guys posturing already. Let’s just see how this thing unfolds. There will be plenty of time for all the boasting. This fight may never even come off the way it’s going.
December 17th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
B-HOP needs shut up and retire for good…He’s saying forget Jermain Taylor like he’s not a BIG NAME !!! COO KOO , COO KOO…..Hey Bernard, last time I checked, you had lost to one Jermain Taylor TWICE! You are a legend Bernard, now let it end before you tarnish that legend.
December 17th, 2006 at 11:52 pm
B-Hop didnt lose to Taylor twice. Taylor has lost 3 of his last 4 fights. 2 to hopkins, and once to winky. he’s a joke. he’s nothing more than HBO’s monkey. All you have to do to see who won those fights is look at their next fights. Hopkins steps up in weight and beats Tarver, earns Ring belt. Winky Fights Quartey and will get Dela Hoya after he beats Mayweather for Ring belt. Taylor is a joke.
Bernard is tough enough to back his trash up. Calzaghe will definitely learn a few things in his first loss, but he’ll be a better boxer after. That is if he doesn’t smash his hand up on Manfredo’s face.
December 18th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Bernard Hopkins is far from washed up and there is no doubting his legacy. Against a fighter like Calzaghe he cannot tarnish that legacy even if he loses. I think he could suffer his first loss, maybe even be ko’d if the fight does come off. At 40 plus and facing a man like Calzaghe, whom I believe is the more talented fighter, I mean who else can put shots together like him, I believe it will be too tall an order for Bernard. Make no mistake Calzaghe is one of the most talented boxers to ever lace on a pair of gloves, as is Bernard, but Calzaghe would prevail.
December 18th, 2006 at 11:26 am
Pope,
please stay in Rome. To say that TAYLOR is HBOs monkey is very low class. Lets see…..he beats B-HOP (THE BORING) twice and then defeats Winky. I’m I typing this correctly or it is just my imagination.
I know….HBO bought all the judges on these three fights. The tight fight was against Winky and I would have given them a draw as worse case.
December 18th, 2006 at 11:48 am
BEHOP is the man!!!!! Please don’t look at those losses to Taylor as a stepping stone for Calzaghe, Bernard won both those fights. Calzaghe knows that if he wants the fame he has to fight the big name and thats Bernard Hopkins. Thats a great fight if its made but Calzaghe must understand that he can’t bring anything less than his A+ game to fight and beat Bernard Hopkins.
December 18th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
LOOK MAN Calzaghe is good but who has he fought the best fighter he’s fought is Lacy and Im not sure if hes eaven good any more Bernard’s right he dose need him or everyone will say hes alright but who did he fight a whole lot of nobodys B-Hop has fought the best of the best and however u wanna see it weather you thoght he won or lost aginst Taylor
he is still a better fighter than Jermine and makes better fights.
Calzaghe needs B-Hop and he might beat him (I don’t think so ) but he dose have the tools to get it done..
December 18th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
Oh Jeez. Get over it already, Bernard!!!
December 18th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Been British i dont expect many american pugilistic fans to acknowledge Calzaghe, little has been seen of him on the other side of the Atlantic and his profile needs raising. This however doesnt detract from the fact of how good Joe is, been unknown in America doesnt make you a poor fighter. It is interesting to see that Hopkins is now sounding a little tempted by the prospect of fighting Joe, i disagree with Hopkins believing Joe needs him as Bernard appears to be doing his best to create some interest in a fight between the two,,,is there a hint of desperation there?
Whatever you think i dont believe much is to be gained by fighting Hopkins because i have no doubt Joe will beat the past champ (as great as he was) and on getting the result will be promptly deflated by the critics comments of Hopkins been over the hill and excuses saying Joe couldnt have done it 5 years ago etc etc….Taylor is the natural fight for Joe and an easier fight for him than most believe (my opinion of course) but i seriously believe Winky is the biggest threat out there and a fight i hope might materialise although little interest has been voiced,,as much as i would like Joe to win it truly is a 50/50 fight,,Taylor fought is heart out against Winky to get a draw yet Winky coasted throughout,the correct decision was made but the fight was there for Winkys taking. Whatever you think the proof will be in the pudding,,,Manfredo needs beating first ,,,yes sad but true, not the calibre of opponent us Brits want but if thats what Joes got to do so be it,,i would have preffered Kessler myself but Americans arent too up on him either.
December 18th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
If these two get it on, Calzaghe’s speed will give Hopkins nightmares; thus, opening the trapdoor to a nightmarish experience for Hopkins. Calzaghe by KO, definitely! I hope that this one happens, as regardless of anything else, it will be a pleasure to watch two excellent boxers battle it out.
December 18th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
MUSAD calzaghe beat chris eubank who was pound for pound no 3.
He beat Spina who was no 13 and he beat omar shieka and robin ried also mario viet who were p4p 14&15 so wise up mate….
December 18th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
This would be a better fight than TAYLOR/CALZAGHE, HOPKINS REALLY BEAT TAYLOR anyway regardless of what (CROOKED)HBO WANTS US TO BELIEVE. Besides that,TAYLOR has looked awfull lately and I believe CALZAGHE would give him a beating,HOPKINS is MUCH smarter than TAYLOR and thats what it takes to beat CALZAGHE.BRAINS and PATIENCE,and HOPKINS has both.I for one hope it comes off.
December 18th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Would Hopkins lose to Calzaghe? I don’t know. How good is Calzaghe? There are a few good fighters out there and some good matches that should be made so we can find out. I hope he does fight Hopkins so we can get a good gauge. Hopkins is okay. I don’t personally think he is all that great. He is getting a lot of props for beating Tarver of all people. Tarver beat reluctant Roy, not Roy at his best, but a hesitant Roy, that I’ll never figure out. Then Tarver was being touted as a solid fighter. He got exposed by Hopkins. Roy should have and could have steamrolled this guy but he fought with trepidation. Now if Hopkins loses against Calzaghe which is very possible Hopkins will once again lose his luster. Calzaghe is the wrong type of opponent for this guy. Calzaghe will not wait and let him dictate the tempo of the fight. Hopkins will let this guy win the first five or six rounds and before you know it, it is too late and Hopkins has lost the fight.
December 19th, 2006 at 3:44 am
Calzaghe needs to fight either Taylor or Wright to prove that he is as good as he says he is. Politics are killing boxing, Warren should get Wright or Taylor, not the likes of Manfredo who is not even a super middleweight. I personally think that Calzaghe is a good fighter, but to become a great fighter he has to fight either or both of the above, I dont think that this will happen because of all the “Mickey Mouse” titles that are destroying boxing.
December 19th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
It’s all just talk right now. Calzaghe got his career defining win by totally dismantling Jeff Lacy and he follows that up with Bika and now Manfredo. Furthermore, why does Joe insist on fighting these lighter weight guys. I know B-Hop won the lightheavy title, but he is a career middleweight. Winky Wright is also doing well as a middleweight, but he was a career junior middleweight. Calzaghe needs to unify with Kessler or perhaps move up himself and try a fight with Adamek, Briggs, or Woods.
Copey, did you just argue that Omar Sheika, Mario Veit, and Robin Reid were P4P guys when Calzaghe beat them???????