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Boxing

Victorious Calzaghe rubbishes rumours of Hopkins rematch

21/04/2008

Joe Calzaghe has dismissed talk of a rematch with Bernard Hopkins after the Welshman's split-decision win in Las Vegas at the weekend.

Calzaghe was the beneficiary of seemingly generous scoring from two of the three judges at the Nevada showdown on Saturday night, despite suffering a first-round knockdown.

The controversial decision surprised many American pundits, although it was more well-received by journalists from the other side of the Atlantic who believed the unbeaten Briton had been more aggressive than his opponent.

Judge Adalaide Byrd scored the bout 114-113 to Hopkins, but judge Ted Gimza gave it to Calzaghe 115-112.

The deciding judge, Chuck Giampa, surprised many by awarding the 43-year-old American only three rounds in a 116-111 victory for Calzaghe.

Afterwards, the Welsh boxer said Hopkins' defensive, "dirty" style had contributed to his own downfall and it was this that discouraged him from arranging a rematch with the veteran, who he accused of "head-butting, low blows and cheating".

"His style doesn't gel into an exciting fight so of course I won't give him a rematch," Calzaghe said.

"Why should I? It was pretty close, but I felt I won the fight."

Describing the encounter as "a bit messy", Calzaghe conceded that he has fought better in the past but said this only underlined his achievement.

"I didn't box as well as I could have boxed," he explained.

"It was a bit of a messy fight and I think it's difficult to look good against someone like Hopkins.

I didn't fight my best fight but I still won. It was a new weight for me and I came over here for the first time, but I still did it. I showed what a good champion I am by getting up off the floor."