LAS VEGAS — Joe Calzaghe didn’t stop punching after a terrible start against Bernard Hopkins, and now the “Pride of Wales” is the best light heavyweight in the world.
Calzaghe remained unbeaten with a split-decision victory Saturday night, tenaciously rallying in the final rounds against his cagey 43-year-old opponent to end his long-anticipated U.S. debut with a flourish.
Hopkins (48-5-1) put on a master class in the veteran skills of their sport at the Thomas & Mack Center, knocking down Calzaghe (45-0) with a sneaky right just 70 seconds in before repeatedly frustrating Calzaghe’s attempts to trade blows.
But after floundering against Hopkins’ defense through the early rounds, Calzaghe never stopped working and wearing down his older opponent, eventually gaining control in the final rounds.
“I knew this wouldn’t look pretty tonight,” Calzaghe said. “But I won the fight.”
