HBO gifted fight fans a “freebie” with the Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins battle for the Ring Magazine 175 lbs. senior citizen linear strap - the prize to fighters as well a freebie - unlike the expensive "sanctioned" versions priced in the thousands.  

I had circled the date on the proverbial calendar more out of curiosity than in expectations it could possibly live up to the pre-fight propaganda - I mean, in one corner, age 43 Hopkins with HOF credentials via ring smarts, while working in career of counterpunch, pick and choose - not to mention a tad of camouflaged violations. 

The other corner, first time visitor to our yesteryear fabled land of milk and honey, age 36 Calzaghe - undefeated southpaw from over the big pond - gets it done utilizing an updated version of former ancient light heavy champ Slapsie-Maxie Rosenbloom circa 1930s. But then, Maxie’s career totaled a near 300 kept appointments with a mere 19 via knockout. Maybe Slapsy- Calzaghe punches a little harder?  

Opening stanza short of action until late in the round with Calzaghe looking to steal it for his own - surprised by a Hopkins short right hand between the eyes and is down. Calzaghe quickly rises to his feet looking more flustered than hurt.

That pretty much sums up anything familiar from the good book Queensberry rules - goes bad to worse as both embark on 11 stanza journey of mauling, brawling, and sick humor - some provided by third hack in charge “I’m fair, firm, and senile," hapless Joe Cortez. 

Hopkins had couple moments - rocks Calzaghe in round seven but the one big right hand not enough to claim the candle from busier flailing Calzaghe - still, the always thinking B-HOP feigns injury during stanza ten when pitter-patter Calzaghe left hand strays below the belt line - Hopkins quickly auditions Hollywood style for an extended time out for recovery. Something about searching for missing “privates.” Gimme a break.  

Nothing all that special down to the final bell - scoring went Calzaghe 116-111, 115-112, Hopkins 114-113. My unofficial saw it Calzaghe 115-112 in points and 8-4 under round by round method. 

Post Scripts:

• Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KO) ~ age 36 - not born for waging ring war at light heavyweight. Positives at super middleweight is superb physical condition assisted with solid chin. The right hand that sat him down was picture perfect and Joe never saw it coming. Any futures at 175 should carry warnings - not Surgeon General version, but rather packaged and labeled “For uninitiated only.” 

• Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KO) ~ age 43 - retirement banging on the door -  exception if Ring Magazine linear limits recognition to bouts to AARP age fighters alone. Up and coming at ya sucka department.

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Promised but not as yet negotiated, Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones - HBO interested.

May 3 - HBO - Oscar de la Hoya vs. Steve Forbes

May 24 over Versus, from Manchester, England. Ricky Hatton in with Juan Lazcano for IBO Light Welterweight strap. Hatton off first loss to Mayweather and Lazcano off loss to Vivian Harris.

GEL