Bernard Hopkins is already making excuses to get himself out of his proposed showdown with Joe Calzaghe. After being all gung-ho about the fight right after Calzaghe beat Mikkel Kessler, now Hopkins is saying that the fight must be in the States, and he will take no less than a 60-40 cut. For those keeping score, if and when B-Hop backs out of this fight, it will be the second time he’s ducked Calzaghe. The two had a deal in place to fight on Showtime several years back, before Hopkins pulled out of the fight.

If Hopkins doesn’t take this fight because of percentages in the cut, then I will have absolutely no respect for him. What in the hell makes Hopkins think he can dictate money to Calzaghe. Calzaghe is the undisputed super-middleweight champ, he’s been champion for over ten years, he’s in the top two in the world pound-for-pound, and he’s undefeated. Hopkins has four losses and has fought just twice at his current weight (conveniently skipping over super-middle on his way to light-heavy), including two losses in his last four fights, and he is in no place to dictate terms of this fight. Calzaghe is the man, and believe it or not, Hopkins needs him as much or more than vice versa.

And let’s not forget that Calzaghe just packed in over 55,000 people to see his last fight. Hopkins couldn’t put 10,000 in the Mandalay Bay for his fight with Winky Wright. Calzaghe is the better fighter, with the better career, and he’s the bigger draw worldwide. Calzaghe has conceded to fighting where, when and at what weight they will fight at to Hopkins. All he has said about the money is that Bernard has to be realistic about it. So what does Hopkins do? Instantly turns it into a money thing. Come on Bernard, be a man and make this fight happen.

Hopkins has said that he wants to fight this fight at Yankee Stadium, for some reason still believing that he is a draw. What he doesn’t understand is that yes, he could hold this fight at the Stadium, and yes, it might sell out. But what he doesn’t get is that it will be packed with 40,000 Europeans who hop the pond to see Calzaghe whoop his ass. Bernard has no fan base in this country except for his boys in Philly. If Hopkins wants to feel like he’s the draw and he’s at home, they have to have this fight in Philadelphia.

Either way, I’m hoping I’m wrong and Hopkins makes this fight happen. If it does, there’s a good chance that it happens in April or May, and would be a great way to get 2008 going in the way that 2007 is finishing.

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