Always wondered about this one I'd see the fight going like: Ward edges the first 2 rounds with a pragmatic mix of distance and inside work. Joe comes back in the middle rounds by making adjustments and managing to land rapidly (though not overtly hurtfully) when Ward works inside. The match looks evenish but Ward just manages to adjust further and summon every last bit of his accumulated wisdom to get the latter rounds. I know some on here might disregard Calzaghe out of hand in this contest but he was smart and could seriously adjust himself to an opponent's style. There'd be layers upon layers where this fight is concerned. This content is protected I'd go 115-113 or 116-112 Ward.
Ward easily. Calzaghe's skills were not on the same level , no matter how badly people want to believe they were , they just weren't.
Ward wins on power too. I know he wasn't regarded as a big hitter still big enough to stagger Kovalev with single right hand. Calzaghe depended on landing a blaze of successive shots and I just don't see it happening too many times here
I guess Ward forgot to buy the judges the time two of them gave Carl Froch 5 rounds. Considering how much Calzaghe struggled with an old Bhop, Ward would have to be a solid favorite here.
Joe was too resourceful, and his footwork was too good, to be frustrated by the ol jab, grab and smash. Joe slaps and humps Ward to a decision.
I go back and forth on this, Ward makes nearly everyone's workrate fall with his defense and mauling tactics. I think Calzaghe is probably the only fighter alive that would continue to through no matter what. Also, Calzaghe muscled Jeff Lacy, and Lacy if nothing else was extremely strong. I question how much Ward could muscle him around on the inside. Ward is better on the inside as far as throwing punches but I also question how much success he'd have even getting on the inside. I'll say Calzaghe wins a SD. Ask me next month, I'd probably say Ward wins
joe just isnt accurate enough or damaging enough to beat an elite. His only chance is ward being injured. It'd not be an easy night though, Joes great stamina mean Ward has to keep 100% fit and on, he'd be one of Wards top six most difficult fights. Academic really as Joe wouldnt turn up, he'd fake an injury ironically as he always did with tough opposition that Hearnia pretended he had lined up.