Andre Ward beat Calr Froach easily so If Ward v.s. Calzaghe (in the version that he beat Hopkins and Jones Jr.) is made, who will win the fight?
Calz. Just as fast, same power, as good on the inside, better work rate, same or better stamina, just as good balance, better chin. Joe seems to have just a little more, and it would tell in the fight.
This is what happens when a fighter retires undefeated. His fans think he can't lose against anyone in fantasy matchups. Calzaghe has never faced a guy as complete as Ward in his prime (Hopkins was 43 and not prime). Ward beat Kessler more convincingly and beat a more polished version of Bika. People make it sound like Calzaghe was some god and unbeatable. His resume is weak. Ward, at 27, has already Froch, Abraham, Kessler, Green, Bika and Miranda on his resume and he dominated all of them. The most competitive bout being Bika. I'll put up Wards skills up against Calzaghe's and feel good about siding with Ward.
Work rate and speed make me want to say Calzaghe, but Ward's punches are much straighter and pretty accurate which could give Joe problems. But klion22, you can't knock Calzaghe beating a non-prime Hopkins (he hasn't done too badly since!) and then on the other hand say Ward beat Kessler easier. You could argue Calzaghe got the prime Kessler!
you're right, hopkins hasn't done badly since. but it still isnt justification for joe to wait until roy and hopkins were in their 40's and dethroned before fighting them. i thought joe and ward fought a very solid version of mikkel kessler, who was honestly a 'best of the rest' fighter. at least now a thread like this, which presents ward as a genuine threat to joe's hypothetical SMW crown can be made - first time that can be done.
I would pick JC, Ward undoubtedly would be a tough fight.. however JC was a master of ring generalship. If you compare in all departments, I would say Ward has the edge on defensive ability but everything else is all JC. Having said all that, Ward will improve further.. and he could well become an ATG. Time will tell.