How would Joe Calzaghe approach Andre Ward

Same as he always beat guys, with volume and speed and getting the punch in first. Ward would try wrestle him or potshot and wrestle or work the body in close no doubt with his usual foul tactics. Calzaghe would be well advised to keep the distance, work on his footwork and get off first even if he didn't do that much damage. Ward had good timing but Calzaghe was horrible to try and time with his twitchy caffeine reflexes. Zaggers on points for me.

 

Agree with your breakdown of things but not sure I would bet against Ward.

 

Tough one to call, one thing I’d add to @BCS8 assessment is that Calzaghe was pretty good at the dirty stuff too if it had to go there..

Both fighters have great adaptability and could be a bit on the ugly side at times (although there’s a bit of revisionist history that tries to make it out like Ward himself was an example of beautiful boxing). He was a brilliant and intelligent fighter, but often times not aesthetically pleasing - and the same could be said for Calzaghe - although they certainly had their differences in style.

I have no pick, the #2 SMW ATG spot is highly contested, and a fight between them would be too!

Prime Roy smokes them both.

 

The same exact way he fought everyone, volume. Calzaghe didn't really change his style for anyone. He just kinda walked to em and threw............and threw..................and threw.............and then moved outside then back in and threw.............

 

Volume and more Volume.

 

How would Calzaghe approach Ward?



he wouldn't.

 

Great analysis. I agree completely.

 

I don't see him beating Ward at all.

 

Depends on whether the fight was in Oakland or not - not that Ward would have dared fight outside US. Zags got a lot of stick for being "protected British stay at home" but he did get his passport on a few occasions, something Ward never did.

Neutral venue and fair refs, prime for prime (let's say JC from Kessler vs Ward from Kessler) I'd take Zags - it would be ugly at times, but he would win a competetive - but clear - decision, based on volume, volume and more volume.

I've always thought that it wouldn't be much different to Zags vs Hopkins in many ways. Ward wasn't as good at hiding his dirty tactics as Hopkins, but Calzaghe never was shy of answering back there. They both had similar kinds of fights with Sakio Bika, who himself was a tough and awkward SOB.

I think it would start with Ward winning maybe the first couple of rounds, and maybe being 4-2 up by the midway, but the Joe's workrate, stamina and engine would take over, after a couple of small adaptations (similar to what he did against Kessler).

Would have been a great one to see!

 

Takes one to land 2
Ward throws much less and lands a better percentage

Joe outworking him, throws many more, but lands only a little more

Close fight similar to Hopkins. They can beat eachother

 

Ward would utterly destroy the Swedish slapper.

 

The first thing is not to fight Ward in the States.

 

Kessler - who fought both concurs :-
https://boxingnewsonline.net/king-k...ikkel-kessler-says-he-is-happy-in-retirement/

 

It would be an ugly boring fight. I wouldn't care who won.