Calzaghe beats Hopkins
21st April, 2008
Joe Calzaghe came back from a first-round knockdown to claim a win by split decision over Bernard Hopkins. Despite struggling in the early rounds and being behind for most of the fight, the Welshman picked up judges scores of 115-112 and 116-111, with one judge giving Hopkins the win at 114-113. The win puts Calzaghe on 45 fights undefeated, whilst the American now has a record of 48 wins, five losses and a single draw.
Calzaghe said: "It was one of the toughest fights of my career.
"He is very clever. He was so awkward. It wasn't pretty, but I won the fight.
"It wasn't my best night, but I know I won.
"I'm a legend killer - I just finished B-Hop, maybe Roy Jones is next."
Hopkins was not happy with the verdict, implying that he should have been given the decision: "Look at my face, I don't have a bruise. I busted him up," said Hopkins. "I took a guy to school who was undefeated.
"The whole world knows I won this fight. I controlled the pace like a true veteran."
Calzaghe is expected to fight Jones Jr in November, whilst Hopkins is expected to slip back into retirement.
By Chris M
