is Joe Calzaghe the finest Britain has ever produced?

You have a point about there not being an incredible win on his resume but it's hardly his fault that he was in an average division throughout his reign. The Hopkins win and the Kessler wins as well as a win over Eubank when Calzaghe was still green to be fair are all very good wins though.

Hopkins made that fight a terrible fight to watch with his cheating and spoiling tactics (what a spectacle for my first live fight in America ) and I guess we'll all soon find out just how good Kessler is or isn't.

I also think many people forget, for example that Roy Jones was light heavy champion before Joe even turned world champion at 168 so accusations of him not chasing Jones by some on here are a bit unfair I think.

And don't forget that Calzaghe could have made his american debut as far back as around 2003 when Hopkins doubled his demands at the last minute after everything being verbally agreed.

 

Don't bother arguing. Just show them a John Conteh fight and wait for them to come back and say 'Oh yeah!'

 

I just think that I don't really want to debate this with the likes of yourself, POW
, TFFP etc... good guys and we'll never agree. :good

 

Wasn't the "agreement" for Hopkins to come here?

 

Fair enough mate been done to death it's getting pretty ****ing boring really isn't it?

 

No I'm sure it was going to be in the states. I'll have to try and find the source but I seem to recall it was Jay Larkin who witnessed that him, Warren, Don King, Hopkins Lawyer and 1 other can't remember who but it was all agreed.

Hopkins has never denied it.

 

yep. I just think its down to what you look for in a fighter and undeniably 46-0 is impressive. Just not what I look for. And h2h he doesn't stand up. Watched a shot Nigel Benn crossing swords with Steve Collins today and it looked to me that, even at that stage, both would have had too much for Calzaghe.

 

Calzaghe needed to break Marciano's record to be hailed the greatest British fighter ever, in my opinion.

 

:nut For the more stupid people that would have been enough bennie, your right.

 

...or should I say ONE of Britain's greatest. I'm not sure Calzaghe ever truly defined himself.

 

The only worry I have with that story is that it has only been verified by Jay Larkin.

I'm sure you are aware whose payroll Larkin was on just after the said negotiations? :nut

 

Does no1 think the lacy fight was defining?

 

Lacy was a decent world class fighter but not the Tyson like monster he was portrayed as. That victory has declined in value heavily as Lacy has looked awful since.

 

Yes, that statement does surprise me. Even coming from you Jeff.

 

I think mainley because calzaghe destroyed his confidence he ruined his career with a complete domination.