19.04.08 – By Jim Amato: Joe Calzaghe is still undefeated ( 45-0 ) and now has Ring Magazine’s endorsement of being the ” best ” light heavyweight in the world after slapping an aged Bernard Hopkins enough to win a split twelve round decision. Disappointed ? I know I was. What was projected to be a candidate for ” Fight of the year ” turned out to be the farce of the year. Other then Bernard catching Joe coming with a nice right hand and dropping him in the first round, there was little excitement to me..
Calzaghe did what I thought he would do. He just plain out hustled Hopkins. Bernard can no longer fight at that kind of pace. Calzaghe out landed Hopkins almost 2 to 1 but not once did he even phase Hopkins other then a few low blows. There was a lot of wrestling and clinching and referee Joe Cortez earned his pay that night.
Where does Super Joe go from here ? Hopefully not a rematch with Bernard. In my eyes the fight was a let down, a real stinker. Is Roy Jones Jr. next on Calzaghe’s dance card ? It is starting to look that way. That will generate some fan interest and a decent payday for both Joe and Roy. Will I watch it ? Yes, but not if it is a PPV telecast. Who would win ? Roy spends way too much time on the ropes these days and that would be playing into Calzaghe’s hand. I think it would be another case of Joe landing 33& of 700 slaps and taking a decision.
I don’t know how long Calzaghe plans to stay around but there is one fighter he should flat out avoid. That is middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. After seeing this performance by Calzaghe I honestly feel that Kelly KO’s Joe inside of ten rounds. Pavlik is just not somebody you can slap around. Hopkins was able to land several counter right hands throughout the fight against Joe. Pavlik will do the same. The only difference would be that Joe won’t get up.