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08:24 GMT, Monday, 28 April 2008 09:24 UK

Calzaghe blast for beaten Hopkins

Joe Calzaghe has hit back at Bernard Hopkins' claim that he won their light-heavyweight fight.

Calzaghe, who was knocked down in the first round but still extended his unbeaten record to 45 fights, claimed a split-points win that Hopkins disputes.

"He should get over it," said the Welshman. "He should watch the tape and accept that he lost.

"There were three American judges and he still lost. I don't need to find 100 excuses as I won. He's a sore loser."

One judge scored the bout 114-113 to Hopkins, but the other two gave it to Calzaghe by 115-112 and 116-111.

606: DEBATE
"Bar a couple of punches, Hopkins was second best after round four"
JE

"I won the fight," added Calzaghe. "I was the aggressor. I landed more punches. End of story."

The Welshman thought he was afforded little respect by his beaten opponent and launched into Hopkins' record of 48 fights, five defeats and one draw.

"I don't mind if I don't see the guy again," said Calzaghe. "To be honest, I've never been a Bernard Hopkins fan and never will be.

"You ask me about Roy Jones Jnr and I'll say I like him and love his style. I've got a lot of respect for him and he is a legend but Hopkins isn't.

"Who's he (Hopkins) kidding? He's an excellent fighter but at the end of the day he has lost five times now and he'd have you believe he is the best fighter in the history of boxing."

"One shot doesn't win the fight, 12 rounds decides a fight"
Joe Calzaghe

Calzaghe believes Hopkins paid the price for his negative tactics after the first round knockdown.

"He's got a style I don't like," he said. "He goes backwards, waits for you to throw a flurry of punches and then he grabs hold and throws the right hand.

"He connected nicely in the first round. I'll give him credit for that but I'll give him credit for nothing else because, to be honest, he spoiled the fight.

"One shot doesn't win the fight, 12 rounds decides a fight.

"After that punch, he was very negative. I knew I could adapt and figure the guy out. At the end of the day I felt I was landing more than him.

"There was a lot of ugly work and it was not a good fight to watch. He stopped me working but at the same time he did nothing himself."



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Related to this story:

BBC to broadcast Calzaghe triumph (22 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
Tarver targets Calzaghe contest (21 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
Calzaghe ponders 'one last fight' (20 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
Calzaghe rallies to beat Hopkins (20 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
Calzaghe v Hopkins photos (19 Apr 08 |  Boxing )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
British Boxing Board
Amateur Boxing Association
Ben Dirs in Las Vegas
Joe Calzaghe
Bernard Hopkins
World Boxing Council
World Boxing Association
World Boxing Organisation
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