Bernard Hopkins Humbled by Joe Calzaghe

[pioneer]

By Keiran Mulvaney

(Reuters) - Britain's Joe Calzaghe recovered from a first-round knockdown to defeat Bernard Hopkins by split decision in a light heavy-weight bout in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Calzaghe was awarded the bout on two of the three judge's scorecards, with him winning it 115-112, 116-111, 113-114.

In a closely-fought battle, the 36-year-old Calzaghe showed little of his famed prodigious punch output in the first couple of rounds, as Hopkins gained the early initiative behind a tight defense and counter-punching with his right hand.

The 43-year-old Hopkins, nicknamed "The Executioner", also managed to knock down Calzaghe when one of the counter punches landed flush on Calzaghe's jaw as the Welshman came forward in the first round.

By the third round, however, Calzaghe had become more active, looking to trap Hopkins in the corner or against the ropes and then unleash flurries of punches.

source: Reuters News

[Brownman]

Joe Calzaghe was simply the best over Hopkins, it's time for Bernard H
to retire from boxing. Congratz Joe.