'Legend Killer' Joe Calzaghe is champion, defeats Hopkins

Boxing News

By Stone Martindale Apr 20, 2008, 3:12 GMT

By split decision, Welshman Joe Calzaghe kicked Bernard Hopkins ass at the Thomas & Mack Center ring tonight. 04/16/2008 - Joe Calzaghe -

04/16/2008 - Joe Calzaghe - "88 Minutes" World Premiere at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas - Arrivals - Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino - Las Vegas, NV, USA © PRN / PR PhotosJoined with many Welsh visitors in the audience, he inspired song and rousing cheer in the stadium.Bernard Hopkins, the old man of the fight at age 43, was conditioned to the tenth degree.Hopkins, aka the Undertaker, a convicted felon, was welcomed with a chorus of boos - but unlike the Manchester fans who booed the US Anthem as it was sung, the Welsh fans had stood respectfully to observe both fighters' national anthems.Seen in the background sitting ringside were Simon Cowell, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Whitney Houston among many stars and notable faces.Calzaghe was knocked to the canvas from the first right hand thrown by Hopkins in the first round.Referee Joe Cortez doesn't let the fighters fight, perhaps he wants to be the center of attention. He had excessive intervention similar to the Ricky Hatton fight, he didn't let fighters find their way. Instead, he let the 43 year-old hold clutch and grab to avoid further damage.Despite several alleged questionable low blows, Calzaghe won by split decision. It should have been unanimous. He takes the light-heavyweight title, the 175 pound weight class.A big left hook from Calzaghe was his cleanest connection in round seven, but Hopkins tagged the Welshman from another jarring right on the bell.The Welshman aka "legend killer" is ready to celebrate back home in Wales.

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wilkinsonjboxing@Hotmail.comApr 20th, 2008 - 03:50:30

Am i really the 1st to comment? Joe Calzaghe must be -happy- but, How can Bernard Hopkins really complain with all he has accomplished in his splendid career. Thay both should retire.

John Wilkinson
New Britain, Connecticut (Global ID: '1855', -ex-boxer-)
wilkinsonjboxing@hotmail.com

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JohWilkinsonApr 20th, 2008 - 03:55:21

They -both- should RETIRE, now! Other boxer blogs to visit include the following four ex opponents of john wilkinson: Sean Fitzgerald; John Scully; Otis Grant and, Morris Eason on YouTobe ('My Story' a Christian testimonial filmed in his home state of Ohio:www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYSuzmsP1m4)

-thank you!-

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'Legend Killer' Joe Calzaghe is champion, defeats Hopkins

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