Calzaghe Triumphs over Hopkins

By Moncayo Blackbull     Photo: Eric Van Dyke/Insideboxing.com

Las Vegas (IB-April 21, 2008) - Calzaghe, The Prince of Wales…

Not quite. That title still belongs to a chap named Charles. However, Joe Calzaghe certainly did his part in promoting and protecting nationalization, virtues and excellence when he soundly defeated Bernard Hopkins Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Certainly the Pride of Wales…

Undefeated in 45 contests, the undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world put an old fashion whoopin’ on the former Ring Magazine and linear light heavyweight champion and former undisputed middleweight champion of the world and, like taking candy from a baby, took Hopkins' belts.

Calzaghe, the new Ring Magazine and linear light heavyweight champion of the world, can celebrate all the way home even though he’ll have to pay an extra fee to the airline for the additional weight of his new and “heavy” hardware.

And proud Calzaghe can be. After all, he did what top fighters Oscar DeLaHoya, Winky Wright and Antonio Tarver could not do. Even Jermain Taylor’s victories over Hopkins were questionable. Calzaghe’s win was well defined and convincing.

After the fight, Hopkins would say the whole world saw who won the fight. And I agree. The whole world definitely saw him take a lickin”, saw him acting like a cry baby and saw him auditioning to become an actor.

The contest started a little shaky for Calzaghe as he got caught with a solid right hand that landed him on the canvass. A doubtful start for Calzaghe would have the audience wondering if the Welshman’s boxing accolades were limited to fights in Wales.

After the second round, Calzaghe would gather his senses and turn the tide in his favor.

I was impressed with Calzaghe’s valor in that he did not allow all the inconsistencies to interfere with his ability to fight: he was fighting in America, something he had never done before; he was fighting without his hometown fans in the audience; he was fighting on a boxing event promoted by his opponent’s interested promotional company; and he was fighting without neutral officials - judges and referee were all from the United States.

Calzaghe was also able to adapt to the awkward style of Hopkins. Hopkins would throw a punch and then rush in using his head as a guided missile. Unfortunately, a missile is only effective when it hits the target. Calzaghe was able to offset this tactic with slight head and body movement. Not only did Calzaghe find an answer for the head missile, but he also capitalized by throwing punches while moving, out-punching Hopkins by a wide margin.

Later in the fight, it was Hopkins who became irritated and looked toward the referee for help and of course the referee obliged by stopping the action and giving Hopkins plenty of “rest” breaks every time Hopkins would look his way. At one point, Hopkins complained of a low blow and dropped to the canvass, grimaced and did all kinds of weird things with his body and face in hopes that the referee would disqualify Calzaghe.

The replay would show the five-minute rest period offered to Hopkins was merely a gift by the referee. Later in the contest, Hopkins would try this foul tactic again. This time, the referee would have no part of it, but still allowed a break in the action denying Calzaghe a well-deserved assault.

After the midway point of the contest, it was easy to see Calzaghe made the necessary adjustments and was in total control of the fight, where Hopkins kept trying to force his style of fighting.

Although this fight really was not close at all, one judge - Adalaide Byrd - had it scored 113-114 in favor of Hopkins. Judges Ted Gimza and Chuck Giampa had it scored respectively at 115-112 and 116-111.

All I can say about Byrd’s scoring is it must have been a black thing.

Oh. And you think Hopkins has learned never to say never?

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