Joe Calzaghe has accused American Bernard Hopkins of being a “sore loser” after their light-heavyweight clash in Las Vegas on Saturday.Unbeaten Welshman Calzaghe, the undisputed super-middleweight world champion, won a split decision after recovering from a first-round knockdown against the 43-year-old.

Hopkins looked stunned after two of the three judges gave the fight to Calzaghe, one of them by a large 116-111 margin, and claimed he won the fight.

“He should get over it,” 36-year-old Calzaghe told the BBC on Friday. “He should watch the tape and accept that he lost.

Calzaghe accuses Hopkins of being a sore loser | Sports | Reuters

About 8,000 Britons are expected in Las Vegas for Saturday’s light-heavyweight clash between Joe Calzaghe and American Bernard Hopkins.Fans of the Welshman, who is the undisputed world super-middleweight champion, are expected to outnumber Hopkins supporters at the Thomas & Mack Arena.

That prompted Calzaghe’s promoter Frank Warren to taunt his opponent at this week’s final pre-fight news conference.

“On the night, most of the support in the arena is going to be again for the Brits,” he said. “Are the Americans going to come out for their man? Because otherwise he’s going to be drowned out, because they’ll just be cheering Joe Calzaghe.”

Boxing fans descend on Las Vegas for Hopkins showdown | Sports | Reuters