Boxing has seen a sort of resurgence in the last few years. The smaller weight divisions are replete with exciting and very talented fighters. New middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik has really excited fans of boxing, with his courage, determination and vicious punching power. Miguel Cotto and Manny Paquao are also filling arenas, drawing huge crowds with their exciting styles and devastating knockout ability.
Sometimes a fighter comes along who is a throw-back to a past era. An era when boxers produced fights that put us on the edge of our seats. We remember them well. Sugar Ray Robinson VS Jake LaMotta, Ali VS Big George Foreman, Danny “Little Red” Lopez VS Salvador Sanchez, Aaron Pryor VS Alexis Arguello and Marvin Hagler VS Tommy Hearns. Kelly Pavlik is in that mold. And so is Joe Calzaghe.
Joe Calzaghe is my favorite fighter. And on Saturday, April 19th in he will face another one of my favorites in Bernard Hopkins. Joe Calzaghe is the longest reigning undefeated boxing champion in the world. The Welshman has an astonishing record of 44-0 with 31 knockouts.
His last fight against Mikkel Kessler of Denmark was an exciting mega event, resulting in Joe unifying all the belts in the 168 pound division, showing his skill and intelligence against a younger, determined and very strong fighter in Kessler. Joe now holds all three belts.
In my opinion Calzaghe is the most well rounded and intelligent fighter in boxing right now. Floyd Mayweather may be faster and has superhuman defensive skills, but Floyd runs a lot and lacks true knockout power. Joe never runs, hits hard, is a brilliant boxer and throws an incredible amount of punches, perhaps more volume of punches than any fighter today. And he can take a good punch. He has proved his toughness time and time again. If Kelly Pavlik is a modern day “Jack Demspey.” I would liken Joe Calzaghe to a modern day “Gene Tunney.”
Bernard Hopkins is another throw-back fighter. During his prime he was something to see. He ruined fighters and ended many a boxing career. He is classic boxer-puncher. He has very good power. He is also the most mentally tough fighter I have ever seen.
However, lately many boxing fans have been critical of the current light heavyweight champ, accusing him of holding too much and producing boring fights. I do not agree. Hopkins is now forty-three years old and has simply changed his style and become more defensive. He is still a fighter that should not be taken lightly even at forty-three.
Joe Calzaghe is moving up in weight to challenge Bernard for the light heavy weight title. Joe has defeated every viable contender in the 168 pound division. He has nothing more to prove in that division. This will be his first fight in the United States. He has never fought outside of Europe.
Boxing fans have been waiting for this match-up for years. It will be a great fight. Joe will certainly keep the fight from being boring. Hokins will have to fight and fight hard if he is to retain his title. Calzaghe is too aggressive and too smart and will not allow Bernard to run and hold.
If Calzaghe beats Hopkins he will go down in history as Britan’s best fighter ever. He has promised to “knock Bernard out.” Bernard has stated that “he will never allow a white boy to beat him.” Well there is a first time for everything. I pick Joe to win by decision.
