CALZAGHE VIA SPLIT-DECISION OVER HOPKINS... by George Elsasser
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 Hall of Fame 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?
WHITE BOY BEATS BERNARD HOPKINS...
by Frank Gonzalez Jr.
Undisputed Super Middleweight (WBA/WBC/WBO) Champion, Joe
Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KO’s) made his debut fight in the USA, as a
Light Heavyweight Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in
Las Vegas, against America’s legendary, former undisputed
Middleweight Champion and current (IBO/NBA, no, not basketball)
Light Heavyweight Champion, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins
(48-4-1, 32 KO’s)... And of course, there were some typical mud
slinging, mostly by Hopkins. Calzaghe
kept to his usual polite demeanor, even after
Hopkins told him that he’d, “never let a white boy beat him.” Calzaghe just
responded saying, “If you fight me, you will lose.”
THE MAD SCIENTIST VERSUS THE TWO-FISTED ATTACKER... by Lisa Craddock
Bernard Hopkins versus Joe Calzaghe. The mad scientist versus the ultimate two fisted
attacker. They say that styles make fights, and this fight is
no different. The polar opposite styles these men bring to the
table should make for the most interesting night in boxing
this year.
HOPKINS VS CALZAGHE: FINAL WEIGH-IN (ALL WEIGHTS LISTED)
HOPKINS vs CALZAGHE WILL BE A STAR STUDDED EVENT...
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino announced an all star line-up
for its first championship fight, the "Battle of the Planet":
Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe. Among the group of celebrities
scheduled to fly in for the Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World
Championship are: Sylvester Stallone, Catherine Zeta Jones, Bruce
Willis, Jeremy Piven, Michael J. Fox, Brandy, Chris Tucker, James
Belushi, Ray J., Tom Jones, Cat Deeley, Ray Leonard, Joey Fatone,
Rob Schneider, Luke Perry, Mark McGrath, Simon Cowell, Willis
McGahee, Lance Briggs, Pete Sampras, Roy Jones Jr., Marco Antonio
Barrera, Winky Wright, Zab Judah and many, many more.
HOPKINS vs CALZAGHE: A FIGHT OF
CONTRASTING STYLES... by Sav D'Souza
The amiable, mild mannered 35
year-old was still arguably somewhat of a sporting anomaly in
terms of the recognition he had previously received. He has
the distinction of holding the WBO title for over a decade now
making him the longest reigning title holder in any weight
class in the history of the sport. He is currently also the
holder of the WBC and WBA titles and previously held the IBF
title. The master class performance against Jeff Lacy has
finally put Calzaghe firmly in the spotlight but it has taken
time in a long career for it to happen.
The only record for Calzaghe to
set straight now is to silence the doubters he has Stateside.
His victory over Jeff Lacy went a long way to finally getting
American commentators to take notice but many are still
unconvinced he is the real deal. But Calzaghe will get the
opportunity to cement his reputation when he is set to face
American Bernard ‘the Executioner’ Hopkins in what promise to
be a fascinating showdown between the fighters in Vegas.
AUDLEY HARRISON ADDED TO THE
HOPKINS-CALZAGHE CARD ON APRIL 19TH
"I can confirm the
rumors that I am fighting on the Calzaghe / Hopkins undercard. It is a great
show to be on and I’m glad for the opportunity to get back out there. Big up
Frank Warren.
"I will be working with
Frank Warren and this deal will lead to a heavyweight title, provided that I do
what I need to do in the ring.
"I’m still optimistic
about my future and despite the tough road ahead, I’m ready, willing and able to
bounce back and achieve my goals. People can choose how they wish to be defined
and I’m not defined by anyone’s image but my own. I still believe I can win a
world title and I will find a way to reach the mountain top..."
COUNTDOWN TO HOPKINS-CALZAGHE
PREMIERES SATURDAY, APRIL 12 ON HBO
The special "Countdown to Hopkins-Calzaghe," which will feature fighter
profiles, expert analysis and forecasts for the light
heavyweight match-up, will premiere on the main service on
Saturday, Apr. 12 immediately after the HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
BOXING telecast from Atlantic City which begins at 10:00 p.m.
ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT.
LENNOX
LEWIS PREVIEWS APRIL 19 LIVE ON HBO
When undefeated superstar Joe Calzaghe of Wales (44-0, 32 KOs) steps into the
ring on Saturday, Apr. 19 and faces off with boxing legend Bernard Hopkins
(48-4-1, 32 KOs) in a light heavyweight showdown from Las Vegas that will be
telecast live on HBO's World Championship
Boxing at 9:45 p.m. ET/ 6:45 p.m. PT, the undefeated visitor from
across the pond will be making his first appearance in a ring outside Europe.
HBO analyst Lennox Lewis, a native of Great Britain, who retired in 2004 while
carrying the title of reigning world heavyweight champion, assesses the
challenge awaiting the 36-year-old southpaw...
BERNARD HOPKINS: WHAT'S HOOD?...
by Martin Wade
The Executioner has even taken to
rocking a black hoody for media events to give off that “dangerous” Hip Hop
aesthetic... I mean Bernard’s usage of the word
“Hood” in this “dedication” is a place that he frequents, right? I’ll venture out
and say no. Why? Because the Hood is filled with angry young men who don’t give
a damn about his “dedication." Hopkins is talking about a “place” (not himself)
because he hasn’t been angry since entering boxing's penthouse suite back in
2004. Bernard hasn’t prospered by keeping it Hood; Zab Judah (Mr. 52 blocks)
is a testament to how that ethic pans out. Bernard prospered by keeping it
composed, cunning and shrewd, something aggressive young men (with a deprivation
mindset) can’t afford to be.
CORTEZ THIRD MAN IN THE RING WHEN CALZAGHE MEETS
HOPKINS...
Joe Cortez will be the third man in the ring for the huge Joe
Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins showdown in the Planet Hollywood Ring on April 19 in
Las Vegas. Cortez, famous for his catch line: "I'm fair but I'm firm", has
handled 138 world title contests.
The last Calzaghe fight he worked was in October 1997 when the Welshman won the
WBO world super middleweight title against Chris Eubank. He has only worked one
Hopkins fight and that was against Robert Allen in April 2004.
Unbeaten Calzaghe is happy with the decision to have Cortez officiate his light
heavyweight and US debut. "I'm delighted that an experienced and well respected
referee like Joe Cortez is in charge of our fight but he's going to have very
little to do apart from give Hopkins a count to ten.
I don't do holding and mauling, I come to fight, and Cortez is aware of that so
I'm sure he will let me get on with my job. When Hopkins is getting beat up and
his dream team of trainers fuss over who will throw in the towel."
4-4-2008
