2008 Woodie Awards
Hopkins defies all odds
Ken Woods
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Sports
The bell sounds and the two combatants stand in the center of the ring, representing their respective countries in a light heavyweight battle. It is not the Olympic Trials - it is the championship bout between Wales native and super middleweight champion, Joe Calzaghe, and Philadelphia-born, light heavyweight world champion Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins. The fight will take place Saturday, April 19 in Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas.
The Executioner, 48-4-1 (32 KOs), is now 43, and there isn't much he hasn't done in the boxing ring. His career has been more than impressive, including victories over Antonio Tarver, Felix Trinidad, Winky Wright and Oscar De La Hoya, just to name a few.
Hopkins was the undisputed middleweight champion and held the crown for 15 years. He was regarded as one of the best middleweights in the history of boxing during that span and is a lock for the Hall of Fame.
He decided to move up two weight divisions to take on the current light heavyweight champion, Tarver. Many wondered if he could win after such a bold move. He proved all the critics wrong when he completely dominated Tarver for 12 rounds and took the light heavyweight title.
Calzaghe, 44-0 (32 KOs), is a cagey veteran as well at age 36. He is the class of the super middleweight division, holding the title for 10 years. With one more defense of the crown, he will tie Hopkins' record for most defenses of a title with 20.
He will fight in the United States for the first time on Saturday. Calzaghe has created quite a buzz overseas and is looking to prove he is the best by coming to America and taking on one of the best to ever lace up the gloves.
He holds victories over Mikkel Kessler and the powerful Jeff Lacy. He has speed, movement and throws a high volume of punches in every round. His ability to stay busy has served as a strength in all of his bouts.
Keys to the fight
Calzaghe needs to use his speed and movement well. He is not only a busy fighter (which helps win rounds), but he is also a very smart fighter. On paper he has every advantage in the fight. He is younger, faster, throws a lot more punches and has never tasted defeat. What he has to do more than anything else is control the pace of the fight. Calzaghe needs to establish his pace and keep it up for the entire bout, and he will be successful.
The Executioner, 48-4-1 (32 KOs), is now 43, and there isn't much he hasn't done in the boxing ring. His career has been more than impressive, including victories over Antonio Tarver, Felix Trinidad, Winky Wright and Oscar De La Hoya, just to name a few.
Hopkins was the undisputed middleweight champion and held the crown for 15 years. He was regarded as one of the best middleweights in the history of boxing during that span and is a lock for the Hall of Fame.
He decided to move up two weight divisions to take on the current light heavyweight champion, Tarver. Many wondered if he could win after such a bold move. He proved all the critics wrong when he completely dominated Tarver for 12 rounds and took the light heavyweight title.
Calzaghe, 44-0 (32 KOs), is a cagey veteran as well at age 36. He is the class of the super middleweight division, holding the title for 10 years. With one more defense of the crown, he will tie Hopkins' record for most defenses of a title with 20.
He will fight in the United States for the first time on Saturday. Calzaghe has created quite a buzz overseas and is looking to prove he is the best by coming to America and taking on one of the best to ever lace up the gloves.
He holds victories over Mikkel Kessler and the powerful Jeff Lacy. He has speed, movement and throws a high volume of punches in every round. His ability to stay busy has served as a strength in all of his bouts.
Keys to the fight
Calzaghe needs to use his speed and movement well. He is not only a busy fighter (which helps win rounds), but he is also a very smart fighter. On paper he has every advantage in the fight. He is younger, faster, throws a lot more punches and has never tasted defeat. What he has to do more than anything else is control the pace of the fight. Calzaghe needs to establish his pace and keep it up for the entire bout, and he will be successful.
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