The G Manifesto

Bernard Hopkins VS Joe Calzaghe: Prediction

Next Saturday Night, April 19, 2008, Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs), Light heavyweight Kingpin and living legend will step into the ring once again, this time at of 43, to take on Super Middleweight Boss and Welsh hero, the undefeated Joe Calzaghe, (44-0, 32 KOs).

I am always in the mood for “Execution Time” when Bernard Hopkins steps in the ring. (Remember, I used to roll into the ring with Bernard Hopkins’ Entourage in the late 90’s early ‘00’s. Don’t believe me? Watch the fights from that era; I was the young guy, custom suited down, typically Armani, blown open, Brioni pocket square, sometimes smoking cigarettes walking toward the ring, handsome and smooth. Or just look for the only non-African American guy in the crew. Either way works. For the record, I really try to stay out of the public eye. In fact, you will rarely see me except maybe a glimpse at ringside.) And this fight is no different.

Anyways, Bernard Hopkins VS Joe Calzaghe will take place at the Thomas & Mack Cent in Las Vegas, Nevada and will be shown on HBO. (Click Here for Good deals on Bernard Hopkins VS Joe Calzaghe Tickets!)

After Dropping two close fights to Jermain Taylor, Hopkins bounced back in impressive fashion by dominating Antonio Tarver, and defeating the very tough to solve Ronald “Winky” Wright.

The Pride of Wales, is fresh off a big win over Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler. Before that, Calzaghe defeated Peter “The Pride Of Providence” Manfredo Jr. of Contender fame, Sakio Bika and Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy.

Calzaghe & Hopkins Clash Verbally

Here is how I see the fight shaping up:

Hopkins Strengths

Hopkins has never been a pretty boxer. He is however, a winning boxer. That is what he does, he wins. He is extremely disciplined, having fought almost his entire career at Middleweight. He doesn’t get out of shape between fights. The Executioner is also an extremely intelligent fighter with excellent game plans and execution (no pun intended).

As Hopkins has grown older, he has continued to find a way to win. The Executioner is a subtle master of the little things in Boxing, like controlling distance.

Hopkins also has a great team in Freddie Roach, Mackie Shilstone, John David Jackson, and Naseem Richardson.

Hopkins is also a Master of Mental Warfare. Round one for Hopkins starts when the fight is announced.

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Calzaghe Strengths

Calzaghe’s seems like he is in the prime of his career. He has got great boxing skills and fast feet and hands. His work rate and sheer amount of punches he can throw over the course of a fight make him extremely tough to beat, especially on a decision. Keep in mind, almost every decision is won by the guy who throws more leather.

Hopkins weaknesses

Age. Pretty obvious here. Any 43 year old boxer’s weakness is age. Hopkins is an incredible athlete for not only being a champion at this age, but for being one of the best Champions in the entire sport. Some experts think he showed his age in his last few fights. Well, obviously. But he still wins. He has found a way to win despite his age. You just never know when that is going to end.

Calzaghe’s weaknesses

I wouldn’t really say Calzaghe has any real “weaknesses”. But, I don’t think he is exactly a murderous puncher despite 32 KO’s on his docket. His Knockouts have been more by the swarming and accumulation of punches variety as opposed to the one punch variety.

And with 44 fights, you can’t say he doesn’t have experience.

I would say as compared to Hopkins, Calzaghe’s quality of opposition just doesn’t compare. People talk about his huge win over Jeff Lacy. But really, who did Lacy ever beat? His other “big” wins: Peter Manfredo Jr.? Sakio Bika? Come on. And Mikkel Kessler barely ever fought out of Copenhagen. Copenhagen is more known for fly Blond Scandanavian girls than it is for boxers.

Hopkins has beaten Lupe Aquino, John David Jackson, Glen Johnson, Simon “Mantequilla” Brown, Robert Allen, Keith Holmes, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, William Joppy, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Tarver and Ronald “Winky” Wright. Big difference.

Like Hopkins said, “His (Calzaghe’s) resume looks like a Mary Poppins script,”

Hopkins keys to victory

Hopkins just needs to do what Hopkins does best: Intimidate, rough up his opponent, use “grey area” tactics, lunge in with shots and if he misses, check Calzaghe and throw elbows. Essentially, Hopkins needs to take Calzaghe to the Streets of Philly. And by “take Calzaghe to the Streets of Philly”, I don’t mean for a Cheesesteak with extra Wiz, either.

Hopkins needs to stay busy enough and start fast enough as to not give away early rounds. If Hopkins loses a bunch of the early rounds, he is going to have a long night.

If Hopkins can hurt Calzaghe early and come on strong in the later rounds, maybe score a knockdown, then he has a decent chance.

Hopkins also has to, and I mean has to, work the body early.

Calzaghe keys to victory

Calzaghe whole game plan must be to stay on the outside and control the fight with his legs and superior work rate. He must also try to get Hopkins on the ropes and take advantage of lapses in Hopkins punch output. Hopkins has the tendency to take part of the round off these days. But who can blame him? He is 43! At 43, the only activity I am going to be doing is relaxing at a tropical hotel pool bar, linen down, drinking absinthe, slowly losing my mind and walking fly local girls up to my villa.

A couple of other issues:

Calzaghe is fighting in the United States for the very first time.

Yeah, this is a factor, but from the response Ricky Hatton got in the US, I think Calzaghe will have more fans in the arena than Hopkins. As long as Calzaghe stays out of the Spearmint Rhino the week before the fight, I really don’t think this is going to be as big a factor as everyone else does.

Age

Big question mark for Hopkins. But keep in mind Calzaghe is 36. What about the age factor on him?

Mental Warfare

It seems so many people (especially squares and non-boxing and non-street people) underestimate the intimidation and mental games guys like Hopkins and Mayweather play on their opponents. (Anyone pay attention to Muhammad Ali?) Many people think that a true professional like Calzaghe will not get rattled by Hopkins’ tactics. But ask yourself, did De La Hoya get rattled by Mayweather? Had anyone ever talked to Oscar like that before?

Has anyone talked to Calzaghe like that before?

I don’t think so.

(Take it from someone who has won plenty of battles with his mouth…)

The Prediction

Ok. So, pretty much all the “experts” is picking Calzaghe to outwork, out-point and use movement to get a decision over Hopkins. I can see that happening as well.

But there is something about Hopkins that I think he has a chance in this one. (If they would have fought 5 years ago, I think Hopkins would have taken him apart.)

One thing is, Hopkins actually has less to lose than Calzaghe. Hopkins already has his seat in the Hall of Fame secure no matter what happens in this fight. Calzaghe, on the other hand, has to win. If he doesn’t, everyone will just think (unfairly) he was a bum that just fought over in Wales and was protected. That is a lot of pressure.

Depending on the odds you can get, I would throw dough on the underdog Hopkins. But keep in mind, I might be biased because I used to roll in Hopkins Entourage, and I have picked like the last 20 fights correctly on The G Manifesto. So I can gamble a bit.

Execution time.

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The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

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