ATG: Who Ranks Higher? Terence Crawford or Joe Calzaghe

I'd probably say about the same level.

Crawford needs at least 1-2 signature victories. Not too many options out for him. I'd say winning a Spence rematch as Spence is still the clear number 2 ahead of the number 3 by some way. Ennis looks really good but he needs a Thurman/Barrios win. Would love to see Crawford school Haney but we know Haney won't take that fight plus he is a different weight which gives Crawford detractors potentially something to cry about.

 

Calzaghe is my favourite fighter but Crawford has achieved more, in a shorter timespan and in tougher divisions. Both get criticised for their resume, at least Crawford before the fought Spence but Crawford has also made unification fights happen quicker.

 

This is an interesting one - as both get slated on resume at times, yet both are also lauded in other areas.

On resume, it's tough but think that Zags currently probably has a slightly better resume with Kessler and Hopkins at the end of his career. Of course, JC has that nasty blot of never having faced Ottke (somewhat understandably) which is a real downside for his reign at 168.

Before Spence - who may or may not have been damaged goods - Postol and Mean Machine were the best on Crawfords resume - unless u take shot versions of Khan and Kell Brook at face value (and Calzaghe gets nothing for beating a well over the hill RJJ).

Acheivement wise, that belongs to Crawford.

P4P it's a real tough one - as Zags would probably fall short of peak RJJ and Toney H2H, but Crawford could be the same in terms of Mayweather/Toto/ODLH etc

IMO Crawford just needs a title @154 to seal the deal, but right now it's pretty close with lots of asterisks.

 

Always been critical of Crawford, but Terence here for me

 

What was the understandable reason Calzaghe didnt fight Ottke out of interest?

 

Calzaghe always had a confidence problem that Crawford never had.

Calzaghe retiring undefeated was probably the best thing he ever did. It cemented him as a "legend" in British circles although more discerning fans will remember how often he used to cancel fights under Frank Warren

 

I did note 'somewhat' understandable...

...Ottke never left Germany and had a number of controversies/robberies there - with at least 3 that I can remember robbing Calzaghe of a much earlier unification opportunity(Robin Reid, Charles Brewer and Byron Mitchell IIRC, all had good cases for beating Ottke, with Reid and Brewer especially being egregious travesties).

So Ottke wasn't going to UK for a 'british stoppage', and Zaggers wasn't going to Germany to be robbed by the corrupt judges that Ottke had in his pocket either.

It sucks donkey-balls and tarnishes the legacies of both IMO, but I can understand why it never came to pass.

Frank Warren is on record numerous occasions of trying to make the Ottke fight, saying Sauerland blocked it each time - obviously with it being Warren a pinch of salt is needed, but in this case I'm inclined to believe.

 

I never actually disagreed with you, was actually honestly just curious as I'm 23 and only have followed boxing heavily for 7 years so I haven't really dug around too much of Ottke unlike Calzaghe. But I understand now and appreciate the response, although I don't know too much about Ottke - I would have been quite confident for Calzaghes chances against Ottke.

 

Ennis could be a win that ages really well down the road. A spence rematch victory will do little, a win over Tszyu or Charlo would be better

 

Because he didn't fancy going over to Germany and getting robbed see the Robin Reid fight for reference.

 

Wins over Eubank, Kessler, Hopkins, are better wins than anything on Crawford's ledger and yes that includes Spence.

 

Right now I'd give a very slight edge to Crawford. A win over Charlo or a guy like Haney or Teo coming up and I would confidently put him above Calzaghe.

 

TC

 

Should Crawford be on a atg list with his best win being Spence? If so then he has to be fairly low down. I rate the Spence win btw. Undisputed in 2 divisions might mean he is.

Calzaghe has better names on his resume. He beat an undefeated Kessler which probably trumps Spence. The Eubank, Hopkins and Jones wins were obviously against past prime and beaten fighters.

Surprised both are considered atg so maybe the edge slightly to Calzaghe.