I know it’s still a little ways off, but it’s time to get
you boxing junkies taking a look at the Bernard
Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe bout. I have listed the
Hopkins/Calzaghe odds as
Bookmaker sees it below for the April 19th fight in
Sin City.
Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins is listed as the +225
underdog as oddsmakers haven’t give all that much weight
to his billing as Ring Magazine’s light heavyweight
champion. Back in June of 2006, Hopkins defeated Ring
Magazine light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver by
unanimous decision to take over the title. Tarver didn’t
look anything like the champ who had defeated Roy Jones
Jr. twice. Hopkins returned to the ring in July 2007 to
face former light heavyweight champ Ronald “Winky”
Wright, Hopkins won another unanimous decision to keep
his title. Now he will take on Joe Calzaghe of Wales who
is listed as the -275 favorite. He is the WBO, WBA, and
WBS super middleweight champion. Even though he is
stepping up to fight in a higher weight class,
oddsmakers clearly feel the, recently turned, 43
year-old Hopkins is at the end of his rope.
Hopkins has 48 professional wins against just four
losses and has been a great champion, but youth is not
on his side anymore. Calzaghe is 44-0 in his
professional career with 32 wins coming by way of
knockout. “The Pride of Wales” will be eight years
Hopkins’ minor when this fight takes place. The
aforementioned Ring Magazine lists the “Italian Dragon”
as one of the top 10 best pound for pound boxers in the
world. Calzaghe is the longest reigning title holder in
any weight class in the sport. This guy has held the WBO
super middleweight champion title for over ten years.
Calzaghe’s most recent fight was in November of 2007
against Mikkel Kessler in Copenhagen, Denmark. This
unification bout was won by Calzaghe by unanimous
decision, unifying three of his four world titles and
surpassing the 20 titles defenses made by Hopkins
himself and Larry Holmes.
While longshot lovers will blindly jump on Hopkins
because of the value, we really can’t see Calzaghe going
down here. His southpaw style figures to give Hopkins
problems as does his stamina. Calzaghe also has the
ability to switch it up and box Orthodox if need be. The
power he packs with either fist is unrivaled in boxing.
Honestly, Hopkins is getting a little too much respect
with this line if you ask me.
