Exclusive: Charles Brewer on Calzaghe v Hopkins by James Slater Mar 28th 2008

James Slater had the chance to get an expert opinion on the eagerly awaited Hopkins-Calzaghe light-heavyweight clash earlier in the week. Speaking to former IBF 168 pound king, Charles 'The Hatchet' Brewer over the phone, the now retired Brewer kindly shared his thoughts with me on the intriguing bout. Charles knows of what he speaks too, having shared a ring with "The Pride of Wales." Here is how "The Hatchet" sees the April 19th super fight unfolding. "Right now, he [Calzaghe] is the best out there at super-middleweight," Brewer began. "I can't see anyone beating him - he's the man right now. But his problem is, he's never gone out of his comfort zone before. He's never fought outside of Wales (Joe has boxed abroad, but never in America, which is what Charles was driving at). That's the only flak anybody can give him. But now, against Bernard, who like me is from Philly, Joe has the chance to put that right. People have been asking me who'll win, and this is how I see the fight [going]." "Bernard is in no way, shape or form a KO puncher. What he is going to do, as he's made plain, is he's going to do anything and everything to win. Bernard will sneak in illegal punches if he can, he will do things that the ref won't see, he will try absolutely everything he can to win. Bernard's problem, is that Joe will be too busy for him. Calzaghe's work-rate is excellent, and can Bernard offset that? My only concern for Joe is his tendency to want to get into a fight instead of boxing. If he does that on April 19th, it could leave him vulnerable. It should be a great fight though, whoever wins." So there you have it. Even as expert a guy as Charles Brewer is seemingly torn as to who wins in April. It certainly is interesting, however, hearing Brewer speak about the possible "illegal" punches "The Executioner" may well try and use. To this writer's way of thinking, Joe Calzaghe has an extremely tough fight on his hands, perhaps the hardest - at least mentally - of his entire career. Brewer is spot on with regards to Joe's busy work-rate, though, and that could well swing the fight in the Welshman's favour. What is certain, is the fact that an extremely unmissable fight is soon to be upon us!

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