How would Calzaghe defeat Kovalev and Beterbiev?

Calzaghe is probably the only man that can beat these two. Back in his prime..
He would do it by

Using his granite chin. Use the speed, use the southpaw stance, use the movement, use the workrate.

There is no blueprint.

 

Calzaghe would get killed fighting either of these two.
He would slap and then get broken. Calzaghe barely won against Hopkins meanwhile Kovalev made Hopkins look foolish and probably would have knocked Hopkins out with another 30 seconds or so. Calzaghe would be knocked out at a minimum and possibly killed as Kovalev likely would have little respect for the slapper and have a little something extra for him beyond say broke face.

 

Calzaghe vs Kovalev is very interesting but I just can't see Kovalev getting the win or Joe getting knocked out.

Calzaghe would have to use his superior speed (obviously) to come in and out, not in a Pacquiao way or a in Pryor manner but in short bursts of speed and combination punching. He is fast and skilled enough to do this.

Bullrushing won't work against Kovalev, he'll adapt very quickly and begin to time Joe. Thus any moves made to get inside would require Calzaghe to work behind his underrated jab and keep his hands up at all times (a trait Calzaghe didn't always display). Although his usual style is too come forward and smother his opponent with punches, Kovalev will be too dangerous for most of the fight for this to be a guaranteed tactic.

Late in the fight after Calzaghe has built a lead based off of effective aggression and superior boxing skill, maybe, MAYBE he can begin to wear Sergey down the stretch with the close up, high volume, smothering style we're accustomed to from Joe. The good news is that if he does get caught, his chin will most likely hold up.

Kovalev's best chance to win is with Timing. If Joe fights the whole fight in the manner we're accustomed to seeing, Kovalev is good enough to time him and land one good shot on his (sometimes) open chin and turn the fight in his favour.

Calzaghe is also the better, more proven fighter in regards to mid fight adjustments (see Kessler, Hopkins etc.)

Calzaghe works behind the jab in a much more restrained performance than we're used to seeing and scores points with well timed, effective combinations, getting through some sticky moments and a surprisingly good defensive performance from Kovalev.

Calzaghe UD

 

No mid fight adjustments to made here. Calzaghe would be knocked out before then.

 

He wouldnt, the only way he'd fight them is if he had a time machine when he was in his 30's to mid 30's, and fast forward till they were 40.

 

Sergey KRUSHER Kovalev would drop calzaghe and keep him down. Round 3 ko.

 

Why are people bringing up the Hopkins fight? Do you really think that was prime Calzaghe.

Joe would come out fast with high volume punching, putting rounds in the bank, he might get knocked down along the way but no chance he would stay down. he would adjust and decision both.

 

ABsolutely Joe Calzaghe would beat them handedly, we have to remember fully shot, bloated, semi-retired broken handed Calzaghe made light work of a prime Hopkins for 9 of 12 rounds including non-consentual butt *** in Hopkins own back yard, so a prime Joe would beat these two very good LHW's

 

Calzaghe wasn't a LHW. Hopkins looked bigger than him in that fight, and Kovalev dwarfed Hopkins. Calzaghe would stay at 168 where he belonged

 

ukt(ards: calzaghe wins
everyone else: lmfao he gets murdered

 

I think it's a really interesting fight, I've been impressed with Kovalev's boxing skills lately. He's not at all the crude 1-trick pony I was expecting him to be, he has a good variety of work there, underated jab and of course that showstopping power.

Calzaghe's best attributes are not his high work rate or stamina as most people on this forum seem to think, it's his adaptability and boxing brain. Calzaghe is one of the few fighters I've ever seen adapt to their opponent inside a round let alone a fight and I think that's what separates a good fighter from a great one.

I think Calzaghe would win an UD, after running into problems with Kov's power and strength and simple using his boxing IQ to find a way to find behind the jab and through effective aggression in the later rounds.

 

Kovalev beats LHW Calzaghe

 

Funny, you said the same thing about Lacy and Kessler.


You also said last year a Hopkins, that Calzaghe schooled several years ago, going up in weight, would school Kovalev? :think

I think when the Mighty Beouch made this thread he was requesting people with credentials answer.

I have never got a Calzaghe, Kovalev, or Beterbiev prediction wrong and let me tell you- 'Zaggers Lacys these two.