MMA News Forums - Bernard talks on fighting Calzaghe and Fight location

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Bernard talks on fighting Calzaghe and Fight location

Quote:

Tactics:

Bernard Hopkins: "Do I feel I can give him his first loss? Yes. Can I
neutralize the best weapon my opponent has and use it against him? Yes.
His best weapon is that he throws a lot of punches. I know how to adjust
to any style out there. He's made 21 title defenses, and I don't care if it
was against 21 Charlie Browns or Donald Ducks. I'd be a fool to not
respect a guy who made all those defenses. I know what he had to do
within himself to get up for those fights."

Location:

Bernard Hopkins: "That's impossible. It won't happen because I don't
have to go there. He said he would fight me anywhere. I have no interest
in going there. Why do I have to go? He has to bring his butt here to fight
the living legend Bernard Hopkins. We know he can do well in Britain, but
step out of your neighborhood."

I dont like the way he makes it sound like Joe hasnt beat'n anyone worth while, "Charlie Browns or Donald Ducks" ?! I mean come on!

Looks like it will be happening in the U.S, either way I still see Calzaghe taking it.... Cant wait to see the fight, hell it aint even official yet but looks like both guys want the fight.

I know ,I know its the dreaded repost but its realated to my original post. Here another Interesting read, an interview with Frank Warren about the fight.

Quote:

Joe Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren has cast doubt on a potential clash with American legend Bernard Hopkins.

Hopkins said he would "love" to fight Calzaghe following the Welshman's defeat of Mikkel Kessler on Sunday. But Warren suggested Hopkins, 42, would rather not face Calzaghe, 35, even in the United States, because he might be scared of losing. "Hopkins knows he will be beaten by Joe. That's why I feel that it will be a struggle to get him," said Warren.

Warren added that he had came close to securing a fight with the former middleweight king before, but that the fight had fallen through because of Hopkins' purse demands. "We did a deal with Bernard Hopkins. It took us 30 minutes to do the deal five or six years ago," said Warren. "We agreed terms, the lawyers were on the telephone, everything's done. Twenty-four hours later Hopkins demanded double the amount of money."

Warren called on American network HBO to force Hopkins to take the Calzaghe fight rather than a proposed rematch with Winky Wright, the fighter he beat on points in July. "We talked our heads off yesterday and the ball's in his court," Warren said. "But I'm not going to push his name any more. What has he got in front of him? He has a rematch with Winky Wright which I'm sure the people who make Prozac and Mogadon will be queuing up to sponsor. Bernard keeps saying what a big name he is but is he a big-name fighter? Let's get the fight on and we will do it in the States but it's about Joe getting well paid."

Meanwhile, Hopkins said any fight with Calzaghe would have to be in the USA. "I have no interest in going there. He has to bring his butt here to fight the living legend Bernard Hopkins," said the light heavyweight king. "I think he understands now and Frank Warren understands that he needs that final stamp of approval from the American boxing writers and the fans. He doesn't have that name of that elite opponent from America on his resumé. Bernard Hopkins is the guy that Calzaghe and Frank Warren believe they have to defeat to get that stamp of approval over here in America."

Calzaghe has already said he is happy to fight Hopkins anywhere. "It may mean me going to somewhere like Madison Square Garden," the Newbridge man told BBC Sport. "That would be a fantastic way to end my career. It would be a tough challenge but, listen, Hopkins is 42 - it's a tough challenge for him. I've just proved to everybody, even at this stage of my career, I'm still at my peak. I had to be at my peak to beat Mikkel Kessler. He's 28, a tremendous fighter, world champion, and after six or seven rounds I was pulling away with the fight. I was the one who was fittest at the end. That's testimony to my fitness and my dedication to the sport."

Win or lose, this fight won't mean anything to me. Well, I'm lying. If BHop wins, it proves he maybe the greatest ever. If he loses, well, he's 42.

BHop needs to retire because I don't think he can beat Joe at this stage of his career. I hope he can, but I know his age will catch up with him, sooner or later.

A prime BHop would wipe the floor with Calzaghi, so this fight means nothing to me, except, if BHop wins.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harlemhustla145

A prime Hop was great but you make it sound like he couldnt be beaten.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dork8503

A prime Hop was great but you make it sound like he couldnt be beaten.

Unless your name is Roy Jones, he couldn't be beaten, and hasn't been, in his prime.