Bernard Hopkins vs Joe Calzaghe ['08]
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Hopkins p4p best trash talker in the game:
Bernard Hopkins: "The British are Arrogant"
In a recent interview with The Guardian , recognized light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins held nothing back when talking about his April 19 showdown with WBA/WBO/WBC super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe in Las Vegas. He also voiced his opinion on the British fans in general.
Hopkins says that when he confronted Calzaghe last December in Las Vegas, and telling the Welsh fighter that he would never "lose to a white boy," Calzaghe's face began to fill with fear. Last week, it was Calzaghe who claimed that Hopkins was the fighter with fear in his eyes.
"I looked him right in his face and said, 'I ain't ever gonna lose to a white boy,'" Hopkins said. "He looked petrified. Scared. Shocked. Uncomfortable. This is what I read in his eyes and his demeanour. Ninety-nine per cent of eye contact gives you a feel for the person you're facing. The first reaction is everything. And even though he will fight it, there is fear inside him - not of me but fear of defeat. A guy that never lost fears losing. But I have nothing to lose. I go into that ring fighting like I fought from day one when I came out of the penitentiary."
"He now has to train on emotion, to show that this white guy can beat me. That statement was important because he understands that I walk a dangerous line. It's dangerous because writers can twist it anyhow they want to. But isn't this, strangely enough, what Bernard needs to do to keep himself focused?"
Hopkins then spoke about the rivalry between Americans and Brits, and plans to use that rivalry to his advantage. He also notes that British fighters are known for getting exposed on the highest level and that is their ultimate downfall in the sport.
"You gotta understand that this thing now is also going to become a little ugly as we go on this press tour. A good percentage of Brits don't like Americans. In some ways we think we're better than them. In a lot of ways they think they're better than us," Hopkins said.
"This goes back in time with the Brits. They're very arrogant. They got this disposition about themselves. I'm going to bring out the worst in them because I'm going to need that - to fuel the fire. That's also promotional thinking, making this fight as huge as it possibly can be. But I'm not creating a false impression. They've already booed the national anthem [before Hatton fought Mayweather]. And the Brit fighter has always been known for being exposed at the highest level. That's their biggest downfall."
In a near evil tone, Hopkins presented his gameplan to viciously punish Calzaghe to the point where his father and trainer, Enzo, would be forced to run in the ring to stop the fight in order to prevent further punishment.
"I gotta get to the father. Punish him and take Joe to a place he never been. [Enzo] will become more of a dad on April 19. They're very close. Listen, they kiss each other on the mouth before every fight. That's love. That's blood. What man wants his son badly hurt? It's not going to be easy but they're going to see blood and busted up marks they've never seen. And, y'know, Joe takes pride in his good looks. I never took pride in that. I understand what God made me look like. This is the Executioner's resumé: take his speed, take his looks, and the father comes in to save him."
Bernard Hopkins: "The British are Arrogant"
In a recent interview with The Guardian , recognized light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins held nothing back when talking about his April 19 showdown with WBA/WBO/WBC super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe in Las Vegas. He also voiced his opinion on the British fans in general.
Hopkins says that when he confronted Calzaghe last December in Las Vegas, and telling the Welsh fighter that he would never "lose to a white boy," Calzaghe's face began to fill with fear. Last week, it was Calzaghe who claimed that Hopkins was the fighter with fear in his eyes.
"I looked him right in his face and said, 'I ain't ever gonna lose to a white boy,'" Hopkins said. "He looked petrified. Scared. Shocked. Uncomfortable. This is what I read in his eyes and his demeanour. Ninety-nine per cent of eye contact gives you a feel for the person you're facing. The first reaction is everything. And even though he will fight it, there is fear inside him - not of me but fear of defeat. A guy that never lost fears losing. But I have nothing to lose. I go into that ring fighting like I fought from day one when I came out of the penitentiary."
"He now has to train on emotion, to show that this white guy can beat me. That statement was important because he understands that I walk a dangerous line. It's dangerous because writers can twist it anyhow they want to. But isn't this, strangely enough, what Bernard needs to do to keep himself focused?"
Hopkins then spoke about the rivalry between Americans and Brits, and plans to use that rivalry to his advantage. He also notes that British fighters are known for getting exposed on the highest level and that is their ultimate downfall in the sport.
"You gotta understand that this thing now is also going to become a little ugly as we go on this press tour. A good percentage of Brits don't like Americans. In some ways we think we're better than them. In a lot of ways they think they're better than us," Hopkins said.
"This goes back in time with the Brits. They're very arrogant. They got this disposition about themselves. I'm going to bring out the worst in them because I'm going to need that - to fuel the fire. That's also promotional thinking, making this fight as huge as it possibly can be. But I'm not creating a false impression. They've already booed the national anthem [before Hatton fought Mayweather]. And the Brit fighter has always been known for being exposed at the highest level. That's their biggest downfall."
In a near evil tone, Hopkins presented his gameplan to viciously punish Calzaghe to the point where his father and trainer, Enzo, would be forced to run in the ring to stop the fight in order to prevent further punishment.
"I gotta get to the father. Punish him and take Joe to a place he never been. [Enzo] will become more of a dad on April 19. They're very close. Listen, they kiss each other on the mouth before every fight. That's love. That's blood. What man wants his son badly hurt? It's not going to be easy but they're going to see blood and busted up marks they've never seen. And, y'know, Joe takes pride in his good looks. I never took pride in that. I understand what God made me look like. This is the Executioner's resumé: take his speed, take his looks, and the father comes in to save him."
I like this. He's talkin bout Joe's father. I think that's the one thing that can rattle Joe and make him furious and emotional, just like he did to Tito. Calling Joe a whiteboy didn't rattle him, but talk about his father/trainer, and I think Joe's going to get heated. I hope bhop keeps it up, he's the best active boxer when it comes to mind games.
LOL... Bernard is a fool... I may have to change my pick now. Bernard is the champion and they are fighting at a heavier weight. Usually when Bernard talks like this he backs it up. This is a hard fight to pick.... At first I picked Calzaghe... but now I am 50/50 right now.
It's true about them Brits though... Hatton was disrespectful and so was his fans.
It's true about them Brits though... Hatton was disrespectful and so was his fans.
NY Presser:
Joe Calzaghe has been warned he "better be willing to die"
Hopkins issues chilling warning
"I feel in an executioner mood," said Hopkins, who addressed the media wearing a black hood.
"I am going to punish him and punish him slowly."
Undisputed super-middleweight champion Calzaghe, 35, is unbeaten in 44 professional fights.
He laughed off the episode, as he had done before Christmas when Hopkins, 43, Ring Magazine's light-heavyweight champion, claimed during a previous confrontation that he would "never lose to a white boy".
"He's doing what he has to do to psyche himself up," said Calzaghe. "I'm enjoying it. This is a new phase for me, my first fight in the States.
"I came to watch the Ricky Hatton fight against Floyd Mayweather and saw the support he had and that's the only thing missing from my career, a big name, someone like Hopkins and all the bull that surrounds it.
"He can be the bad guy now but I'm going to be the bad guy come 19 April.
"I've been through all this before. I've been undefeated 17 years so nothing intimidates me."
Joe Calzaghe has been warned he "better be willing to die"
Hopkins issues chilling warning
"I feel in an executioner mood," said Hopkins, who addressed the media wearing a black hood.
"I am going to punish him and punish him slowly."
Undisputed super-middleweight champion Calzaghe, 35, is unbeaten in 44 professional fights.
He laughed off the episode, as he had done before Christmas when Hopkins, 43, Ring Magazine's light-heavyweight champion, claimed during a previous confrontation that he would "never lose to a white boy".
"He's doing what he has to do to psyche himself up," said Calzaghe. "I'm enjoying it. This is a new phase for me, my first fight in the States.
"I came to watch the Ricky Hatton fight against Floyd Mayweather and saw the support he had and that's the only thing missing from my career, a big name, someone like Hopkins and all the bull that surrounds it.
"He can be the bad guy now but I'm going to be the bad guy come 19 April.
"I've been through all this before. I've been undefeated 17 years so nothing intimidates me."
Bernard Hopkins is Shang Tsung??
Hopkins: "I Destroy Careers, Take Their Souls"
In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com's Jose Aguirre, light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins promised that super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe will never be the same after he gets through with him on April 19 in Las Vegas.
Hopkins said Jermain Taylor, Felix Trinidad and Antonio Tarver were never the same after fighting him, and Winky Wright was never able to recover.
"I destroy careers. You think Jermain Taylor will ever be the same? Thank God for Pavlik. He gets a chance to get the royalties of building him up. No disrespect (to Pavlik), like he's done something great," Hopkins said. "Jermain was done after the two fights (with me). Kassim Ouma, Cory Spinks, the blueprint was already there - he was done. A lot know it, but a lot still want to get in the press conferences and eat the muffins. They might close down the food, so they don't want to ruffle no feathers. They are not going to say he was done (by me)."
"Tito, that's self-explanatory. The last time Tito looked good was when he fought Mayorga. Done. He was undefeated (when I fought him). I take their souls from them. I beat these guys down. I take something that they can never come back. When was the last time you've seen Winky (Wright)? Remember the milk carton thing I did? You think I was joking about that? You've heard from Tarver, but when was the last time Tarver looked good since he fought me. I take their souls. They are no longer the same. Jermain Taylor is a 60-year-old fighter now."
Hopkins plans to combat Calzaghe's high volume of punching by answering back with his own counters.
"(I'll stop him by punching back. See, a guy can punch from a distance, but you expose yourself. I want him to punch. I got a guy who will continue to punch because he's been winning with that. Anybody that punches Bernard Hopkins has to get something back. And when he gets hit back, he's going to re-adjust and say 'wait a minute I didn't like that.' Game changed. Fight changed. Strategy changed and the outcome is changed," Hopkins said.
Hopkins: "I Destroy Careers, Take Their Souls"
In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com's Jose Aguirre, light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins promised that super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe will never be the same after he gets through with him on April 19 in Las Vegas.
Hopkins said Jermain Taylor, Felix Trinidad and Antonio Tarver were never the same after fighting him, and Winky Wright was never able to recover.
"I destroy careers. You think Jermain Taylor will ever be the same? Thank God for Pavlik. He gets a chance to get the royalties of building him up. No disrespect (to Pavlik), like he's done something great," Hopkins said. "Jermain was done after the two fights (with me). Kassim Ouma, Cory Spinks, the blueprint was already there - he was done. A lot know it, but a lot still want to get in the press conferences and eat the muffins. They might close down the food, so they don't want to ruffle no feathers. They are not going to say he was done (by me)."
"Tito, that's self-explanatory. The last time Tito looked good was when he fought Mayorga. Done. He was undefeated (when I fought him). I take their souls from them. I beat these guys down. I take something that they can never come back. When was the last time you've seen Winky (Wright)? Remember the milk carton thing I did? You think I was joking about that? You've heard from Tarver, but when was the last time Tarver looked good since he fought me. I take their souls. They are no longer the same. Jermain Taylor is a 60-year-old fighter now."
Hopkins plans to combat Calzaghe's high volume of punching by answering back with his own counters.
"(I'll stop him by punching back. See, a guy can punch from a distance, but you expose yourself. I want him to punch. I got a guy who will continue to punch because he's been winning with that. Anybody that punches Bernard Hopkins has to get something back. And when he gets hit back, he's going to re-adjust and say 'wait a minute I didn't like that.' Game changed. Fight changed. Strategy changed and the outcome is changed," Hopkins said.
Things heating up!
Calzaghe: "Hopkins, You are Getting Fucked Up!!"
Bernard Hopkins was booed today by a large crowd of British and American fight fans in Las Vegas as his press tour with Joe Calzaghe drew to a close.
The 43-year-old light-heavyweight number one, 48-4, may have been banking on home support by asking for the fight to take place in America.
But it looks like Calzaghe could be the "home" fighter on April 19 at the Planet Hollywood Ring, The Thomas & Mack Centre, Las Vegas, when the pair finally get it on.
Calzaghe, 44-0, got a huge cheer when he was introduced to around 1,000 fans in Vegas on Thursday at a press conference at the Planet Hollywood casino on the strip.
Hopkins was roundly jeered, but as he has cast himself as the pantomime villain for this fight, may not be overly bothered.
He continued his verbal attack on Calzaghe as the pair were called together for a photoshoot.
" Bitch, I'm going to make you cry," Hopkins told super-middleweight world champion Calzaghe.
But unfazed by the American's stream of street talk, Calzaghe told him: "You're getting fucked up on fight night."
The war of words continued during a photo shoot outside.
Hopkins has reverted to trash talk in press conferences in London, New York, LA and now Vegas, but undefeated Calzaghe hasn't been flustered by the tactics.
" Hopkins is a bully, simple as that," said Calzaghe. "I'm not intimidated by him, I just find it funny that a grown man like him carries on the way he does. Let's see who's doing the talk after the fight."
The pair will now head to intensive training camps, and won't come face to face until the week of the fight.
Calzaghe: "Hopkins, You are Getting Fucked Up!!"
Bernard Hopkins was booed today by a large crowd of British and American fight fans in Las Vegas as his press tour with Joe Calzaghe drew to a close.
The 43-year-old light-heavyweight number one, 48-4, may have been banking on home support by asking for the fight to take place in America.
But it looks like Calzaghe could be the "home" fighter on April 19 at the Planet Hollywood Ring, The Thomas & Mack Centre, Las Vegas, when the pair finally get it on.
Calzaghe, 44-0, got a huge cheer when he was introduced to around 1,000 fans in Vegas on Thursday at a press conference at the Planet Hollywood casino on the strip.
Hopkins was roundly jeered, but as he has cast himself as the pantomime villain for this fight, may not be overly bothered.
He continued his verbal attack on Calzaghe as the pair were called together for a photoshoot.
" Bitch, I'm going to make you cry," Hopkins told super-middleweight world champion Calzaghe.
But unfazed by the American's stream of street talk, Calzaghe told him: "You're getting fucked up on fight night."
The war of words continued during a photo shoot outside.
Hopkins has reverted to trash talk in press conferences in London, New York, LA and now Vegas, but undefeated Calzaghe hasn't been flustered by the tactics.
" Hopkins is a bully, simple as that," said Calzaghe. "I'm not intimidated by him, I just find it funny that a grown man like him carries on the way he does. Let's see who's doing the talk after the fight."
The pair will now head to intensive training camps, and won't come face to face until the week of the fight.
Seriously. I'm a huge fan of Hopkins so I'd want to see the fight regardless but I can just tell these two guys genuinely dislike each other a lot. Hopkins vs Wright they were joking and friendly and they tried to create beef but it just didn't work. This time the hatred is there (which plays perfectly into b-hops favor, imo!).
What fight were you watching? Calzaghe was in control from the mid rounds on...
Its obvious you are a really big fan of Hopkins, and I don't blame you, but Calzaghe is (IMO) ATLEAST as intelligent a fighter as Hopkins but also more fluent and adaptive. I am not sure how many Calzaghe fights you've seen but if you watched him VS. Kessler the announcers talked about Cal "spoiling other boxers style". It takes him 4-5 rounds tops to understand the other fighter and begin to dominate. He is underestimated because he is under exposed.
Calzaghe by decision...
Its obvious you are a really big fan of Hopkins, and I don't blame you, but Calzaghe is (IMO) ATLEAST as intelligent a fighter as Hopkins but also more fluent and adaptive. I am not sure how many Calzaghe fights you've seen but if you watched him VS. Kessler the announcers talked about Cal "spoiling other boxers style". It takes him 4-5 rounds tops to understand the other fighter and begin to dominate. He is underestimated because he is under exposed.
Calzaghe by decision...
From round 1 to 4 or 5 (don't remember exactly which round), Kessler seemed like the aggressor and joe looked frustrated/sloppy/retarded. I think after the first four rounds if I recall correctly I had it 3-1 Kessler (or it could have been 2-2) Then, it just seemed like Kessler gave up or lost his confidence and Joe exploited him from then on. Like Jeff Lacy, Kessler is pretty one dimensional from what I've seen and had no plan b after he realized he wasn't hurting Joe (even though he was landing some clean shots, in particular the uppercut which he never threw after the first few rounds or so).
Note: again, I don't remember exactly which rounds, but if you re-watch the fight early on Joe didn't look all that good and kessler appeared to be winning the fight, albeit for a short period of time.
When has Joe ever had to be adaptive? Against Peter Manfredo Jr. or Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy?
The only time I think Joe really showed any adaptiveness was against Bika, who fights very awkward, but he's not an A class fighter, he's a C fighter.
Yes, I agree with that Joe spoiled Kesslers style, so all credit goes to him for kicking his ass, but Kessler's style shouldn't be hard to spoil for a veteran fighter, he's like a kelly pavlik - move forward, stalk, and that's it. A boxer like Joe should have fun with an opponent like that all day, which Joe did.
And I don't think people are underestimating Joe, he's a big favorite, already the odds are better than 2 to 1 straight up.
I will say that Hopkins is a different kind of fighter that Joe has never ever seen before, someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to win in the ring. I just think hopkins will be too crafty for joe, too physical inside, too smart, and it's going to frustrate joe that he's not landing his little flurries of slaps to the head that the Welsh judges love so much. I just think Joe is in for a rough night and he better be mentally prepared. If Joe wins, I think it will be a very close fight
And you're right, I haven't seen too many Calzaghe fights, only about 7 or 8. Off the top of my head:
Kessler
Manfredo
Bika
Jeff Lacy (his most impressive performance, imo)
Veit I
Veit II
Robin Reid (pretty tough to score, could have gone either way)
I would download more, but he hasn't fought anyone really good.
Note: again, I don't remember exactly which rounds, but if you re-watch the fight early on Joe didn't look all that good and kessler appeared to be winning the fight, albeit for a short period of time.
When has Joe ever had to be adaptive? Against Peter Manfredo Jr. or Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy?
The only time I think Joe really showed any adaptiveness was against Bika, who fights very awkward, but he's not an A class fighter, he's a C fighter.
Yes, I agree with that Joe spoiled Kesslers style, so all credit goes to him for kicking his ass, but Kessler's style shouldn't be hard to spoil for a veteran fighter, he's like a kelly pavlik - move forward, stalk, and that's it. A boxer like Joe should have fun with an opponent like that all day, which Joe did.
And I don't think people are underestimating Joe, he's a big favorite, already the odds are better than 2 to 1 straight up.
I will say that Hopkins is a different kind of fighter that Joe has never ever seen before, someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to win in the ring. I just think hopkins will be too crafty for joe, too physical inside, too smart, and it's going to frustrate joe that he's not landing his little flurries of slaps to the head that the Welsh judges love so much. I just think Joe is in for a rough night and he better be mentally prepared. If Joe wins, I think it will be a very close fight
And you're right, I haven't seen too many Calzaghe fights, only about 7 or 8. Off the top of my head:
Kessler
Manfredo
Bika
Jeff Lacy (his most impressive performance, imo)
Veit I
Veit II
Robin Reid (pretty tough to score, could have gone either way)
I would download more, but he hasn't fought anyone really good.
I do not believe he will win by a large margin if he does pull it out.
"When has Joe ever had to be adaptive? Against Peter Manfredo Jr. or Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy?
The only time I think Joe really showed any adaptiveness was against Bika, who fights very awkward, but he's not an A class fighter, he's a C fighter."
By adaptive, I mean that he quickly discerns weak points in style. Hopkins will win if he can consistently control the pace of the fight. He lost to Taylor because the judges watched a fight in which Hopkins did not consistently pace the action. I made the decision that Calzaghe would win based on the fact that I believe he is smart enough to control the pace of the fight.
Its going to be a good fight either way.
"When has Joe ever had to be adaptive? Against Peter Manfredo Jr. or Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy?
The only time I think Joe really showed any adaptiveness was against Bika, who fights very awkward, but he's not an A class fighter, he's a C fighter."
By adaptive, I mean that he quickly discerns weak points in style. Hopkins will win if he can consistently control the pace of the fight. He lost to Taylor because the judges watched a fight in which Hopkins did not consistently pace the action. I made the decision that Calzaghe would win based on the fact that I believe he is smart enough to control the pace of the fight.
Its going to be a good fight either way.
Yeah I agree, it's going to be close either way. Only thing though is Bernard is ancient, so I can see him losing this fight. I just personally think he has enough to pull it off, but we'll see. I got it about 60/40.
Ah, I see.
Yeah that's exactly what Joe needs to do in order to win - outwork him. It's easier said than done because Winky threw over 1,000 punches his two fights prior to Hopkins and his game plan was to "outwork" hopkins and throw "80-100 punches per round", but hopkins completely took that away with his punch and grab technique that he used in that particular fight.
I think it will be an ugly fight and I see hopkins trying to use his rough tactics against Joe, because at this age I don't think he can out-box him, like he would have in the 90's to around 2001/2002.
Ah, I see.
Yeah that's exactly what Joe needs to do in order to win - outwork him. It's easier said than done because Winky threw over 1,000 punches his two fights prior to Hopkins and his game plan was to "outwork" hopkins and throw "80-100 punches per round", but hopkins completely took that away with his punch and grab technique that he used in that particular fight.
I think it will be an ugly fight and I see hopkins trying to use his rough tactics against Joe, because at this age I don't think he can out-box him, like he would have in the 90's to around 2001/2002.