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BERNARD HOPKINS VS JOE CALZAGHE
APRIL 19, 2008
On Saturday Night, April 19, 2008, Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs) will step into the ring once again, this time at the ripe old age of 43, to take on Super Middleweight Champion, the undefeated Joe Calzaghe, (44-0, 32 KOs). The Betting Odds currently favor Calzaghe who is a -240 favorite to Hopkins +190 at 5dimes.com.
This fight holds tons of intrigue from a betting standpoint. Generally, when a fight has odds of -240 or so, there is a decisive edge in favor of the favorite. That’s simply not the case here. as the outcome of this fight is very much in doubt. Suggesting that there is some great value in betting on the underdog Hopkins here.
9 times out of 10, when a great, or former great champion steps into the ring past the age of 40, it’s an embarrassment. Only George Forman comes to mind when one thinks of a successful boxer past the age of 40. That is, until Bernard Hopkins stepped into the ring and not only won, but beat a couple of today’s current Champions in Winky Wright and Antonio Tarver.
The intrigue doesn’t stop there. Hopkins isn’t stepping into the ring against a 22 year old hot shot. Calzaghe is 36 years old. Which is old in boxing years. But there’s more…….Calzaghe is fighting in the United States for the very first time. As a matter of fact, every one of his fights but one has been in the UK. The only fight outside the UK was in Germany. Make no mistake about it, traveling across time zones all the way to Vegas from the UK, and then fighting the biggest fight of your life, is no easy task. Furthermore, sure, Calzaghe has fought in soccer stadiums in the UK, in title fights, but there is no bigger stage in boxing, than Las Vegas in a title fight. Hopkins has been in that spotlight many times before.
There is a huge difference between a 44-0 fighter that has fought all of his fights at home, mostly against local competition, and a World Champion from the United States. If Calzaghe was truly a force to be reckoned with, he would have crossed the pond 10 years ago. He’s been fighting professionally since 1993. What took so long?
Want more intrigue? Calzaghe is a Southpaw. But guess what? Hopkins last two fights, both wins, came against Southpaws, Winky Wright and Antonio Tarver.
Is Bernard Hopkins the superior fighter in this fight? Perhaps not at this point in his career. However, Joe Calzaghe is not the clear cut choice either. He is certainly not deserving of being a -240 favorite here. Betting is all about prices. Odds. When the price is right, you bet. The correct odds on this fight should be no higher than -150 in favor of Calzaghe. At +190 or more at some sportsbooks, Hopkins is a bargain.
5 of Calzaghe’s last 7 fights have gone the distance. No one has ever been able to stop Hopkins. Calzaghe won’t be the one to do it. More than likely, when the bell rings to start the 12th round, the outcome of the fight will be in doubt. Hopkins is a very difficult fighter to fight. He has made the nest of them look bad. The difference in the level of competition each has faced is like night and day. Hopkins has fought fighters much better than Calzaghe. Calzaghe has never fought anyone better than Hopkins.
We can’t resist the price. Hopkins by Decision +190 or better
BET THE FIGHT AT – 5dimes.com
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