Predictions: Hopkins vs. Calzaghe

The Franchise says...

This is the kind of fight that boxing fans always hope for but seems to come together so rarely. It features two fighters who are at the very top of the sport, each with something different to prove.

Smart money would seem to favor the younger fighter, and a big majority of fans who voted in our BoxingWatchers.com poll like Joe Calzaghe to come away with the win - though he's no spring chicken himself, and he's not accustomed to fighting in the United States. Add in the fact that Bernard Hopkins has made a career of foiling both Father Time and his opponents and you've got all the ingredients for a toss-up.

Unlike many other bouts between big name fighters, this one seems like a good combination of styles as well, with Calzaghe applying constant pressure and Hopkins looking to use his superb defensive and counter-punching skills. But both men are capable of playing the other side as well, as Calzaghe showed an improved jab and patience in his decision victory over Mikkel Kessler last November, and Hopkins proved he still has an aggressive streak in his last two wins against Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright.

Still, it makes sense that both men will go with what comes most naturally to them, meaning Calzaghe should be the busier and more successful fighter in the early rounds. Look for The Executioner to eventually figure out how to exploit any weaknesses he senses and turn it on as the fight goes deeper.

That means the biggest questions will be whether or not Calzaghe can build enough of an early lead and whether he has the heart to pull out what should be an exciting and close bout. It's a tough call but I think the Pride of Wales will answer both of those questions affirmatively, and that B-Hop will finally bite off more than he can chew. I'm calling for Calzaghe to win a close, possibly split decision.

Uatu says...
Hopkins to win a close, possibly split decision.
Uatu likes Hopkins ability to shut down the other fighter's game plan. Consider this- Hopkins still has not lost convincingly since the mid 90's. In the recent fights that includes Tarver, Wright, and Taylor, which is better than Kessler, Lacy, and somebody else.