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Out of Calzaghe's comfort zone?by Ben Dirs - BBC Sport (U1657561) 15 April 2008   It’s the Monday before the big fight in Vegas and all talk of the bout itself takes a back seat to more esoteric matters. Such as, what’s Duke McKenzie’s favourite food? For Joe, the Calzaghe-fying of an entire city will be a whole new experience Duke, a world title-holder at fly, bantam and super-bantamweight, echoed Lennox Lewis when he said that Calzaghe could be out of his comfort zone. And with the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, the media hub for the fight, transformed into a shrine to both fighters in the lead-up to the contest, it’s easy to see why he might be right. While the 43-year-old Hopkins, who for 10 years was the world’s premier middleweight, has grown used to staring back at his ugly mug plastered 10ft high on the Vegas Strip, for Joe, the Calzaghe-fying of an entire city will be a whole new experience. Nobody expects Hopkins-Calzaghe to be as big as the Hatton-Mayweather bun-fight last December, and there are still tickets for sale at all prices, but there are encouraging signs that it will catch fire as the week progresses. The first billboard Calzaghe fans will see as they join the Strip from McCarran Airport screams ‘BATTLE OF THE PLANET’, while the Las Vegas Magazine features both combatants on the front cover - no mean feat when you consider that Mary J Blige, Jay-Z and the legendary Tony Bennett are also in town. If you want a giggle, stand outside the airport exit and watch the Brits walking into the frazzling Nevada air There were also plenty of Welsh voices on the 1045 from Gatwick which, at this early stage of the week, was heartening to see. There may not be 20,000 Brits at large come Saturday night, as there were when Hatton was in action, but it may not be too optimistic to expect half that amount.Talking of being outside of one’s comfort zone (or I was a few paragraphs ago) my room has a Moonlighting theme and has in it a glass-top table containing one of Cybill Shepherd’s old wigs and, ironically, loads of pictures showcasing Bruce Willis with hair. I’ve got to be honest, the wig is a little bit creepy and I have absolutely no urge at all to smash open the table and nuzzle it under my duvet. And I’m not sure knowing that Bruce is smiling smugly down on me from all corners of the room as I turn out the bedside lamp is going to do much for my jet-lag. PS. If you’re heading over later this week, make sure to pack the old swimming cossie and flip-flops. Not sure why, but 31C seems a whole lot hotter in Vegas than it does back in Blighty. And if you want to have a little giggle to yourself just after touchdown, stand outside the airport exit and watch the Brits walking into the frazzling Nevada air. Many rasping exhalations and pained expressions as the fleeces are cast aside, and I’m sure I saw one Welshwoman go from battle-ship grey to Ferrari red in the time it took for her to hail down a cab. She’ll be the one who looks like the Singing Detective on fight night. Latest 10 commentsRead members' comments or add your own
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jeffreyrowley (U8922630) posted Apr 15, 2008 Some the criticism that coms Joe's way is ridiculous. If when Kessler had come on the scene and was starting to talk up a fight with Joe as well as being well written about in the press, Joe had moved up to light heavy to fight Dawson he would have got slaughtered folk would have said the first sign of a live challenger in ten years and Joe p*sses off to a different weight. To suggst Joe is ducking someone at light heavy by staying around to fight Kessler or is taking the easy route by doing so is patently ludicrous
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coolnafs (U10700462) posted Apr 15, 2008 I really do hope JC lose for the justice of boxing.
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jpjames (U6661240) posted Apr 15, 2008 Its a easy night for joe no need to worry
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jpjames (U6661240)
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paparudge (U11075246) posted Apr 15, 2008 I'm amazed anyone is doubting Calzaghe. To the haters, get a grip on yourselves, the man has proved himself time and again to be a great boxer. If he hadn't had the problems with his hands early in his career he'd be knocking people out as opposed to outboxing them, but that isn't to be.
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mikeyphil (U6711778) posted Apr 15, 2008 Yeah, I'm surprised Duke and Lennox aren't with Calzaghe. He beat Eubank, which was a tough one to start with, and he's still unbeaten! That's an outstanding record.
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broom_is_god (U11183009)
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clashrebelrocker (U2952812) posted Apr 15, 2008 err I think you will find that Hopkins used guile to LOSE to Taylor twice.
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Tbonetower (U10674587) posted Apr 16, 2008 cant wait for this fight. JC is a fantastic boxer and I agree with 'paparudge (U11075246)' regarding his KO power, used to do it but dodgy hands has meant that he doesnt spar much or commit to the big punches. BHop doesnt have the legs n stamina like JC to fight 3mins of every round, that, historically, has been a factor with vegas judges. BHop's quality of work will IMO be good but you'll find that JC's quality will be superior. BHop will have a game plan and it may come off in first 4 or 5 rounds but I expect JC to take over and take a points win by maybe 3 or 4 rounds, although that scoreline appears fairly close, the judges will have given BHop a few dodgy round IMO.
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HunKs (U10914794) posted Apr 16, 2008 comment by Budgeesmuggler (U10986104) Comment on this article
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