'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.

View blog reactions

If you liked this story please support M&C and Buzz the site on Yahoo.

Latest Headlines in Boxing

Talkback

Add your comment (no registration required)

page: 1

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

Report this comment

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!-

Report this comment

page: 1

Add your comment (no registration required)

Latest from M&C Blogs

Is Sarah Palin a saviour or a strange choice? - Global Eye on September 2, 2008 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (25) | TrackBacks (0)

Obama: the gloves come off in Denver - Global Eye on August 29, 2008 6:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Biden: good choice or admission of Obama's weakness? - Global Eye on August 25, 2008 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBacks (0)

Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games - The World in Pictures on September 7, 2008 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A child sleeps as Hurricane Ike passes Dominican Republic - The World in Pictures on September 7, 2008 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Madonna gets 'Sticky and Sweet' in Rome - The World in Pictures on September 7, 2008 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Boxing

'Legend Killer' Joe Calzaghe is champion, defeats Hopkins

Boxing News

Latest Headlines in Boxing

Talkback

Latest from M&C Blogs

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print