This post has zero credibility once it claims Nigel Benn was a better SMW than Joe Calzaghe. Nigel Benn, a boxer who's defence was his head.
he did beat them, didn't he? and don't come with that BS about age.. Calzaghe himself was 36 years freaking old.. not exactly in the best moment....
Calzaghe was excellent at adapting during a fight. His work rate was excellent, he had a decent chin, good speed, good footwork, was southpaw and fought in a fairly unique style. His power was also under-rated, particularly in his younger days. He had alot of hand problems though which ultimately detracted from his power. He still stopped 70% of his opponents, which isn't bad for somebody with no power. I think Calzaghe for years was underated, considered a high risk/low reward type fighter and was largely overlooked. He's had plenty of tomatoe cans put infront of him, but... you don't go 10yrs as a world champion by accident. He did make at least 9-10 manditory defences during that period, guys he couldn't avoid if he wanted to keep his title. All in all, Calzaghe should of been a lot greater than what he is considered. Over looked for years, part through his own doing, part through no fault of his own, the viewing masses only seen his twilight years as his claim to greatness.
...just looking at the combination of TALENT/ATHLETICISM/SKILL/POWER/TOUGHNESS - not who had the best record, matchmaking, most careful promoter, the most predisposed local refs, abundant back pocket judges, etc.). Work on that reading deficiency "... Second tier in no particular order:" I know it is fanboy central but reading shouldn't be that hard The division only goes back to about the mid-80s and based upon record (you know Joe's claim to fame) JL gets grouped even if only barely.
Uhm, last I checked he beat his last two opponents. Wait, come to think of it, he beat ALL of his opponents. Fail.