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Calzaghe fancies his chances against Hopkins

15/04/2008

Joe Calzaghe believes that Bernard Hopkins will "need a respirator" if he is to beat the Welsh champion.

Calzaghe, 36, who was speaking before the fight on April 19th against the 43-year-old American, believes Hokins is like "a Saint Bernard - all bark and no bite".

The two champions meet in Las Vegas in what will be Calzaghe's first fight at light heavyweight as well as his first bout in the US and the Welshman fancies his chances.

"He'll be leaving the ring with his tail between his legs after I've put him through his paces," Calzaghe said.

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year also claimed that Hopkins was a "B-Side fighter" who likes to "fancy himself as a legend".

"He should have B-SIDE not B-HOP on the waistband of his trunks," he added.

"The real question for me is, 'will Hopkins fight?' I'm coming out to the middle of the ring, I won't be running a marathon around the ring over 12 rounds. Will he?

"When he fights me, it will be against a younger and more experienced opponent," Calzaghe added.

Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton, who was defeated by Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in December, believes Calzaghe "is just the better man".

Speaking to BBC Sport he said: "I think Joe is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and just too busy."

But Lennox Lewis, who fought many times in America believes the change of country could hinder Calzaghe's preparation.

"It is an advantage for Hopkins and an issue for Calzaghe because he has never travelled [to America] for a fight," the former heavyweight champion said.