Archie Moore vs Calzaghe, Kessler, Froch

Only Calzaghe fans say stuff like this. While not as washed up as Roy Jones, Hopkins was still a long way from his best days when he fought Calzaghe. And winning "world titles" at that point in Hopkins' career says much more about the terrible state of the Light-Heavy division that it does about Hopkins' being "elite" at that time.

 

Then what exactly is the gauge of an elite fighter if it's not multiple dominant wins over top 3 fighters in multiple weight classes?

 

We'd better define what we mean by elite. He was a top ranked lightheavyweight in the wasteland of 2008, yeah......in the context of a discussion which includes Archie Moore 'elite' takes on a very different meaning.

 

Yep. Just because a fighter holds a title belt, or is ranked highly in a particular division, doesn't automatically make him elite. This goes back to that flawed idea of using stats, instead of insight into the fighters, as the measuring stick of the quality of a fighter.

I have nothing but respect for Hopkins' abilities and his career, but trying to paint him as "elite" fighter at the time he fought Calzaghe is simply self-serving. And, like I said before, the only ones I ever see trying to do so are the folks trying to make Calzaghe's resume seem less shitty.

 

Hopkins was still a very good fighter, I'll concede that, albeit one with physical deficiencies which played directly into the hands of a relatively quick volume guy.

FWIW, when I watched the fight live I had Hopkins by a point anyway. I might have been drunk, but....I still feel like the moral of the story is Calzaghe blows.

 

Hopkins career at 160 deserves as much respect as Calzaghes

 

Bear in mind I'm FAR more of a Nard fan than Calzaghe, and was rooting for him, I only gave him the first 3 rounds. Hopkins didnt come close to winning that fight. That's Calzaghe's best win.

 

Yep. Bernard had a great start, I myself had him four points up after three rounds, then Calzaghe adjusted and took over. It was ugly but a clear win IMO.

 

If you have the appropriate amount of hate for Calzaghe then you score the rounds a-right.