The Great Joe Calzaghe

 

Joe Calzaghe great for turning the tables when things go wrong, shining when matters conspire against him. Cheating 42-year-old Bernard Hopkins tried every trick in the book, from fouling to faking injury, but in the end still lost.

Saturday night was not Joe Calzaghe’

s best of wins, but was certainly the most mainstream and high profile. Joe Cazaghe’s looked uncertain as he had to pick him self of the floor within the first minute. The Welshman 42 turned the stakes around to win by a split points decision in his first set at light-heavyweight, this being his first boxing match in the United States and with three American judges, who are usually known for fixing. Calzaghe’ won the world light-heavy-weight title as recognised by The Ring magazine. The attendance of 14,213 at the Thomas & Mack Centre was more than 1,000 up on the crowd Ricky Hatton pulled in for his win over José Luis Castillo at the same venue in June last year. Many famous stars attended from the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger to Tom Jones.

 

Calzaghe is unbeaten in 45 matches as a professional and has been a world champion at super-middleweight for 10½ years and counting.

“I didn’t box as well as I could, it was a bit of a messy fight,” Calzaghe said. “Hopkins was very dirty on the inside. But I fought at a new weight for the first time, got put down and still managed to win, I’m very proud. I set myself a goal to come to America to fight and not just to fight here, but to win.”

 

At 43, Hopkins, could not take proper advantage, Hopkins backed up constantly, trying to counter-punch. The American held up close and was allowed to get away with plenty of holding by Joe Cortez, the referee.

But Calzaghe was taking control with his workrate and quick handspeed  in the tenth round. Hopkins age was continuing to show, with him becoming more tired, but the American showed his talent for gamesmanship, turning away and claiming a phantom low blow. Bent Referee Cortez allowed the American a break of about four minutes and another minute in the eleventh when he claimed another invisible foul.  However, the 43-year-old would not be drawn on whether he would hang up his gloves following the defeat.

“They know I am the true champion - I took this guy to school and I won the fight on a unanimous decision, no question.”