Joe Calzaghe did not stop punching after a terrible start against Bernard Hopkins, and now he is the best light heavyweight in the world. Calzaghe, known as the Pride of Wales, won a split decision Saturday night, desperately rallying in the final rounds against the cagey 43-year-old Hopkins and remaining unbeaten in his long-anticipated debut in the United States. Hopkins (48-5-1) put on a master class in the art and trickery of their sport, knocking down Calzaghe (45-0) with a sneaky right hand 70 seconds into the fight. But after floundering against Hopkins' defense through the early rounds, Calzaghe never stopped working and wearing down Hopkins, eventually gaining control of the final rounds. “I knew this wouldn't look pretty tonight,” Calzaghe said. “He's so awkward. He gave me some good shots. It wasn't my best night, but I won the fight. The world title in a second division and a win in America is just icing on the cake for my career.” Judge Ted Gimza scored it 115-112 for Calzaghe, and Chuck Giampa favored Calzaghe, 116-111. Judge Adelaide Byrd had it, 114-113, for Hopkins, as did many reporters at ringside. “I just really feel like I took the guy to school,” said Hopkins, who grimaced and shook his head when the decision was announced. “I feel like I made him fight my fight, not his.” Calzaghe landed 33 percent of his 707 punches, while Hopkins connected with 27 percent of his 468. Calzaghe has been a super middleweight champion since 1997, winning 21 consecutive defenses and adding two more belts last November with a unification victory over Mikkel Kessler. But Calzaghe, who does not like to fly, never found a matchup enticing enough to get him across the Atlantic Ocean. Saturday's bout had been anticipated for at least six years by fight fans who craved its stylistic contrasts. After several false starts, the bout gained steam last December when Hopkins and Calzaghe got into a shouting match one day before Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s fight with Ricky Hatton.Harrison starts comeback In Las Vegas, British heavyweight Audley Harrison began yet another comeback, stopping Jason Barnett in the fifth round on the undercard of Calzaghe's fight with Hopkins. Middleweight David Lopez stopped Ryan Davis in the third round, and Wales' Nathan Cleverly won a unanimous decision over Antonio Baker on a star-free card at the Thomas & Mack Center. Cleverly (12-0, 3 KOs), who's trained by Calzaghe's father/trainer, Enzo, had little trouble against another journeyman American opponent, but couldn't land a knockout blow. __
