Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe

By Jeff Haney

Saturday, April 19, 2008 | 2 a.m.

1. Fight fans’ fight

An average of once a year or so, a big fight comes along that generates such widespread excitement, such energy and buzz, that it’s said to “transcend boxing” by attracting mainstream fans who would otherwise ignore the sport. This is not one of those fights. It’s an intriguing matchup with the makings of a superb fight, but Hopkins, a defense-oriented technician, and Calzaghe, who has fought exclusively in Europe, could carry limited appeal outside the insular world of boxing.

2. Team effort

Hopkins has relied on a “super group” of trainers to tune up for Calzaghe. Fitness expert Mackie Shilstone has worked to ensure Hopkins’ 43-year-old body is in peak condition. John David Jackson, a southpaw who lost to Hopkins in 1997, has aided him in preparing to face left-handed Calzaghe. Nazim Richardson has worked closely with Hopkins since his amateur days, and Freddie Roach coordinates the entire game plan. “Bernard’s always in shape, but he’s in much better shape this fight,” Roach said. “Bernard knows more about boxing than all of us. He’s the world champ and he’s been in there forever.”

3. Style clash

Hopkins’ tactical approach, marked by a sometimes extreme amount of patience, has been successful in recent years against big-name opponents such as Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright. “Bernard can study you while he’s boxing you,” Richardson said. “He can see a shot and he might wait until the seventh or eighth round to take it. You can’t teach that.”

Calzaghe, by contrast, likes to stay busy in the ring and pressures his opponents with a barrage of punches. “If he throws 1,000 punches, he’s opening himself up to get hit 1,000 times,” Hopkins said.

4. No ordinary Joe

Calzaghe, who made 21 consecutive defenses of the world super middleweight title he won in 1997, said Hopkins has never encountered a fighter quite like him — especially not other, more typical left-handers, such as Tarver and Wright. “I’m not Winky Wright, who was a blown-up light middleweight, and who just goes into a shell,” Calzaghe said. “As you’re going to see, I’m not Antonio Tarver.” Each of Hopkins’ four losses has come by decision, and Calzaghe would like to hand him his first knockout. “That’s something that I think I can do,” Calzaghe said. “I want to be the first person to knock him out and to put him into retirement ... I’m going to cut 1,000 punches down to 500 or 600 punches and make them more powerful and punish him.”

5. Dirty work

Hopkins’ rough-and-tumble tactics have led opponents to criticize him as “dirty,” although Hopkins seems to embrace the label as a badge of honor. Calzaghe said he’s confident he can handle whatever Hopkins brings. “I’ve fought some dirty fighters in my time,” Calzaghe said. “I’ve fought fighters that hit on the break and hit me low and use the shoulder and the head. I’m not going in there for wrestling or an MMA fight. I’m going into a boxing match. All I want is a fair referee who will take notice of when he throws his head in behind his punches. You have to have faith in the system.”