Is Calzaghe one of the most physically gifted fighters ever 168+ north?

very much so

 

Didnt Evander use someone else for his unsubstantiated steriod use?

Didnt think he was a Balco customer.

 

Roy Jones Jr. Not only 168 & up but very likely 160 & down as well.

 

I'd say Roy is definitely above him in this generation, but you gotta define what do you mean by physically gifted. Other than the superb reflexes, speed and power, Roy had this special ability to put on a lot of muscles without any negative effects (well, I don't want to comment on illegal issues or the HW trip, maybe in another thread), everything was so natural. Calzaghe on the other hand never ever did weight training, and the skinny fella still had a lot of power (yes he had), unprecedented stamina and superb mobility. I rarely make skin color related comments, but Joe might be the most physically gifted white boxer ever.

 

gimme a break. Dawson will prove to be what a truly gifted individual should be. Btw he would take calzaghe out in 9.

 

No version of Joe would ever look good against Chad Dawson. He never entertained the idea of crossing that bridge. A 6'3" fast handed legit LHW (and under 40) would be far too much. The man from Del Monte would never green light such a fight.

 

And the funny thing is, thats what they always said about Calzaghes opponents before the fight!

 

No.

We're thinking too "present" here, come on. Many fighters have been more physically gifted than Calzaghe 168 and up.

 

Ridiculous stamina, very fast hands, quick on his feet, good chin....yeah I guess he is.

Although dodgy hands could maybe detract a bit...

 

he may be the best without much power.

 

Yo, you don't need muscles and u could still be on roids.

 

Great recuperative powers, handspeed, footwork, workrate, and before he started suffering hand problems, a big puncher.

Combine these physical factors with his heart, determination, ability to adapt and change his game plan and mental strength and you've got a pretty special fighter.

The most physically gifted? Maybe, maybe not, but he's most certainly up there with the best.

 

Calzaghe's fitness and stamina are not something that he's just "blessed with".... The guy did almost as many hours on the road as a marathon runner. He also did these hours up and down the Welsh mountains and trust me on this, the ones in and around Newbridge are long and tough.

He worked hard over many years to build up that kind of fitness and stamina and disciplined himself well between fights. This is not some freak occurence.

 

Calzaghe is very fast but not the fastest. Very good foot speed but not outstanding.
The only place were he is truely outstanding (I actually think he is on a top 10 ever across any division in this regard) is stamina. Stamina can be trained I guess. this does in no way diminsh hiss abilities - because it seems noone can really cut it with him after x round at an outlandish pace.

 

He's not really that gifted, if anything, he doesn't have a gift. Except he finely tuned his skills and trained and perfected his craft.