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April 19th, 2008. On this day, two legendary fighters collide in a fight billed as “The Battle of the Planet”; Joe Calzaghe aka “The Pride of Wales” and “The Executioner” Bernard Hopkins, who look to retain his Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championship against the undefeated Welshman.
Prefight records; Calzaghe 44(34)-0, Hopkins 48(32)-4-1.
Both fighters were renown for their versatility and ability to adapt to their opponents’ style, and both were dominant world champions in their previous divisions for nearly 10 years; Calzaghe at 168 and Hopkins at 160.
From January 1996 to February 2005, Hopkins stunningly made 20 successful consecutive title defenses as World Middleweight Champion before losing (via close decision) to a prime 27 year old Jermain Taylor.
Some of his best wins include; Winky Wright, Antonio Tarver, William Joppy, Howard Eastman, Carl Daniels, Glen Johnson, Keith Holmes, Lupe Aquino, John David Jackson, Syd Vanderpool, Antwun Echols (2x), Robert Allen (2x), Oscar De La Hoya & Felix Trinidad.
Joe Calzaghe reigned as World Super Middleweight Champion from January 1998 to November 2007 where he beat notable oppositions such as Sakio Bika, Richie Woodhall, Robin Reid, Jeff Lacy, Omar Sheika, Juan Carlos Gimenez, Byron Mitchell, Charles Brewer, Chris Eubank & Mikkel Kessler.
It in interesting to note that Joe Calzaghe last lost a fight 18 years before this, as an amateur.
The contrast in both fighter’s style makes it all in all an intriguing fight; the first few rounds went largely in Hopkins’ favor particularly the 1st where Hopkins decked Calzaghe with a flush right hand to the chin. Overall, Bernard was also able to dictate the rhythm in his favor - slow paced, low output with occasional periods of inactivity while piling up points with sharp, accurate single shots.
Hopkins having studied fight films of Calzaghe thoroughly kept the fight either at long or close range, as Joe usually fights best at a “mid distance” range. This allowed Hopkins to land pinpoint right hands and utilized his masterful infighting skills in clinches.
Additionally, Hopkins would hold often to halt Calzaghe’s momentum and counter punching opportunities.
Going to the mid poinr, the fight started to swing in favor of The Italian Dragon; a faster pace, higher volume of punches traded between both fighters where Calzaghe started to throw his vaunted flurries with precision forcing Bernard to an uncomfortable zone, who mostly landed one punch at a time.
Calzaghe also managed to turned the fight to occur mostly at mid range, and in some instances even managed to outwork Hopkins in the inside. As a whole, Hopkins was troubled by Calzaghe’s high volume of punches, hand speed as the pace was upped in favor of the faster, younger fighter.
Both fighters were warned multiple times for an assortment of fouls, but no points were deducted.
Going into the final round, Bernard’s corner felt that his man was ahead on points though they urged him to finish the last 3 minutes strongly. On the other hand Enzo Calzaghe, the father and trainer of Joe told him he was behind on points and strongly urged him to knock Hopkins out.
The fight ended with a very close SD in favor of Joe Calzaghe, who landed 100 more punches than Hopkins according to CompuBox Punchstats. Interestingly, Calzaghe had connected with more shots on Hopkins than any of his previous opponents.
Some have disputed the decision, believing that Hopkins was the deserving winner. What do you think?
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