CBCSports.ca’s Chris Iorfida pulls no punches on the action inside the squared circle and in the world of pro boxing.
Hopkins-Calzaghe no second fiddle
Friday, April 18, 2008 | 03:35 AM ET
Can't wait for the big fight on Saturday.
No, not the UFC in Montreal, which has at least two of this country's sports cable outfits in pants-wetting mode. They've devoted hours and hours of coverage, much of it even going to undercard fighters.
Would be nice of them to even drop just a line about boxers Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe, bona fide legends who will be meeting in Las Vegas. They only have about 35 years of craft behind them in the pro game, and some would argue they've never really been beaten in the last 15 years.
Thankfully TSN will be showing it live on Saturday night, to offer a little perspective above the border (ESPN in the U.S. have given the bout the proper respect its accorded).
Calzaghe hasn't lost since amateur days, a champion for nearly 11 years while amassing a 44-0 record with 32 knockouts. Ageless wonder Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs) has been a champion for 12 of the last 13 years, with some boxing observers of the view he didn't lose either close fight to Jermain Taylor (not this observer).
Calzaghe is facing several challenges in the fight. He's moving up in weight, he's fighting in the U.S. for the first time (though thousands of Brits are expected in Vegas) and even at 43, Hopkins is much more fluid than Calzaghe's last several opponents, and maybe all of them.
His southpaw style is also de rigeur for Hopkins, who has beaten Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright in his last two fights.
"This is my third assassination of a southpaw in the last year-and-a-half. This is No. 3," said Hopkins this week. "And three, I might be out, but on my terms. See, I'd rather fight southpaws than orthodox fighters because of my style, which is unorthodox, and my abilities, which I'm gifted with."
The Welshman said this week that Kessler was the best boxer he's ever faced, which gives one pause. As good as Kessler is, he'd rank no better than fifth or sixth on the list of the best fighters Hopkins has faced.
So it's hard to fathom the -250 to -300 odds for Calzaghe. Too big.
It's one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year, but it's doubtful it will be a barnburner. That's because each guy knows every trick of the trade - footwork, feints, angles, distance, locking an arm. Neither guy allows themselves to get hit by successive punches all too often.
While I know Hopkins's timing can negate speed, Calzaghe will be the quickest fighter he's faced in a long time, and also the most versatile. He boxed and brawled beautifully against Kessler. Hopkins conserves his energy wisely in the ring, and I don't think Calzaghe is going to be so willing to oblige his interest in fighting at a leisurely pace.
I keep thinking of the Taylor-Hopkins fights in assessing this one. Even if you felt Hopkins won both of those fights on the scorecards, unless you were a biased fan, you couldn't have thought they were particularly good Hopkins performances. Taylor's athleticism prevented Hopkins from getting as much accomplished as he usually does.
Joe Calzaghe is most definitely not Jermain Taylor.
Diaconu fight free on the web
Montreal-based Adrian Diaconu takes another step towards the light heavyweight title when he fights in Romania on Saturday, the country of his birth. Diaconu will challenge undefeated Texan Chris Henry for what is being called an 'interim title' (don't ask). Fresh off apparent success of the internet airing of Corey Spinks-Verno Phillips, Don King TV is showing the Henry-Diaconu fight at 1 p.m ET on its website.
The winner will be the mandatory for Chad Dawson (and Diaconu was slated to fight Dawson last year until suffering a hand injury), but could be offered some step-aside money so that a fight between Dawson and Antonio Tarver.
Dawson was the undeserving recipient of three 8-4 scorecards from the judges in his fight last week with persistent veteran Glen Johnson. Dawson had his moments, to be sure, but watching it twice I could do no better than 6-6 in his favour.
Incidentally, Quebec-based judge Jack Woodburn came under fire for his judging of the fight. A copy of the judges' master card shows that on of his ledger, the names of the fighters and their corners (red/blue) were scratched out and changed to those of their counterparts. According to reports, he had misidentified the fighters for several rounds before learning that 'Dawson' was in fact, Johnson, and 'Johnson' was Dawson.
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About the Author
Chris Iorfida has been writing about professional and amateur sports since joining CBC Sports in 2002. Previously he worked as a producer for the Team Sports Radio Network and has also written for national publications Strategy, Chart and Exclaim.
A passionate boxing observer since 1982, a crazy year for the sport, Chris has never missed a major bout and has travelled to Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and of course in Canada to attend fights in person.
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Comments
MuhSak
Hamilton
Its about time people start recognizing boxing for what it is. It is way better than MMA which is just a more realistic WWE. Just look at Dana White the man is a joke and the most unprofessional "leader" of a company i have ever seen.
This is a fight between two of the best boxers of our era so i for one will be rooting for St. Pierre to win but will be watching BHOP vs Calzaghe
Posted April 18, 2008 08:50 PM
Richard E Thornborough
I feel Hopkins will get beat, as Calzaghe is a man on a mission,if he can put the performance in against Hopkins as he did Lacy then Hopkins will get very disorientated due to the amount of punches being thrown and get mad and get beat. Calzaghe must be aware of Hopkins big right.
Posted April 19, 2008 04:29 PM
The Anti-White racist Hopkins loses the fight
Chicago
Hopkins was defeated by the better athlete. Calzaghe remains undefeated. Hopkins fought smart but didn't have the tools to overcome Calzaghe's speed and stamina and strength.
Posted April 20, 2008 05:19 AM