Calzaghe over Jeff Lacy Pros: Lacy was Favorite, Lacy was IBF SMW champ, and a natural SMW. Cons: Lacy had never beaten a quality opponent, and has never beaten a quality opponent since. Hopkins over Kelly Pavlik Pros: Pavlik was favorite, was undsiputed MW champ. Had fought above MW weight limit many times. Had good wins over Taylor and Miranda. Cons: Fought at 170 for the first time. The question here includes, who beat the better opponent aswell as the manner they beat their opponents. Both wins were masterclass and shocked much of the boxing world at the time I think those two performances are amongst the best in the decade, which other masterclass performance is up there with them?
Both where very good wins. The only difference for me is that Lacy had achieved more, and was a more seasoned, solid champion.
Lacy had achieved a vacant IBF Super Middleweight Champ by beating Syd vinderpool, and was 21(17) - 0. With best wins over Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, and Pemberton. Jeff Lacy was number 3 SMW Pavlik had achieved WBC and WBO Middleweight titles by beating the then Champ Jermain Taylor, and was 34(30) - 0 at the time, with best wins over Taylor and Miranda. Pavlik was also Ring MW champ I think Pavlik was more seasoned, and had achieved more looking at the stats. But thats my opinion.
Pavlik had weighed 169 more than once before, he also has fought above the 160 limit more than 15 times prior the last time against Taylor at 164. But he was the smaller man against Hopkins. Both Pavlik and Lacy were favorites going into the fights which makes the victories of Calzaghe and Hopkins sweeter
Question: What's the fascination with the Calzaghe - Lacy fight? Seems like that fight gets brought up for comparison every other day in this forum. Pick a new topic guys. I'm thinking people just loved to see a white guy finally beat up a black guy up for a change. :yep
No wonder Calzaghe fans think he's an ATG...They Exaggerate the hell out of his opponents. JEFF LACY IS THE BIGGEST UNDER-ACHIEVER IN BOXING HISTORY!!!!!:-(
Hello again Realsoulja. I think you and I have too much time on our hands haha. Both victories were great and impressive to watch, Lacy did beat a guy called Tsypko, not a great but he was a former European champ and had some O.K. fighters on his record if not outstanding, and Pavlik I feel will come again. Its a tough call but Im always put out by the fact that Pavlik had to come up heavier than before and how much bigger Hopkins was than him. Except for Taylor the other guys he fought when being over the limit werent in the same class. I would give the Calzaghe victory over Lacy a slight edge, the shame for me is they didnt put on the same performances when they fought each other. Other masterclass up there with them, I would say maybe not quite so one sided but Barrera coming up in weight and beating undefeated big puncher Hamed was impressive
Barrera - Hamed Defiantly one the best this decade also Morales - Pacqiuao 1 Forrest - Mosley 1 Hopkins - Trinidad Hopkins - Tarver Mayweather - Corrales
Lacy has Pemberton, Reid, Sheika and Vanderpool. Pavlik has Miranda and Taylor x2. They aren't as far apart as people are saying but Hopkins win over Pavlik is clearly, clearly better. Taylor is the best out of all those fighters and Pavlik beat him twice. Taylor also beat Lacy....so yeah.