I voted Calzaghe, but without any confidence. I recall Ward, with his mouth open, looking up at the big ringside clock (needed to be careful to not make a typo there) in the 12th vs Froch. I suspect Ward would be ahead after 6 and Joe's fitness would sweep rounds 10-12 on sheer activity. I'd go with Calzaghe SD, but it could go either way. The only things I'd be confident in are that it would go the distance and that some would argue Ward's cleaner punches won him the fight, with others that Calzghe's greater volume won it for him.
zaggers will outwork him solidly. Ward with hit and grapple nonsense will annoy him but he won't pick up enough of the action like that
It's an interesting fight because Ward was one of those fighters like Hopkins, a Whitaker type that simply took men out of their gears and appear clumsy and stunted .. Cal, with his exceptional volume and very good speed would be an interesting match up ... tough call ..
I've always said this match up would be reminiscent of Calzaghe/Hopkins as an ugly damn near unwatchable clash of style that could go either way. Traditionally I favour Calzaghe for his higher workrate.
Ward would be able to counter JC a lot, rough him up on the inside, probably damage him and win most rounds.
That's me too, tough call. I could see it going both ways, might come down to who makes the other guy fight his fight.
Close fight but I think Joe pulls off a close decision. Ward would have a difficult time tying him up and applying his dirty tactics. Joe would have to watch for the low blows and elbows though.
Thats because he was one handed , not because he was tired. Guys who are tired don't glide effortlessly around the ring like Ward did in the final rounds. Stamina isn't just throwing punches either. Ward had serious mental stamina and focus.
Of course he was fatigued, as was Froch, it was the 12th round. I didnt say he was gassed and unable to move. I agree he wasn't. Ward dominated the fight, yet he appeared more fatigued than Froch in the final 2 rounds. Calzaghe's stamina was superior to Froch's and definitely to Ward's. It's not unreasonable to suggest Ward would start the stronger and Joe close the stronger. It's as close to 50/50 as it gets, imo. The current poll of 13-11 in favour of Ward is fine with me, as a rough representation of how the fight would likely go.