Calzaghe's opponents, who were at the time of the fight: - former or current world champions (WBC/IBF/WBA) - not overaged: younger than 35 2007 Mikkel Kessler UD 12 (current champion) 2006 Jeff Lacy UD 12 (current champion) 2003 Byron Mitchell TKO 2 (former champion) 2002 Charles Brewer UD 12 (former champion 4 years ago) 2000 Richie Woodhall TKO 10 (former champion) Bum and/or overaged percentage: 41 of 46 fights (89,13%) Championship in different weight classes: - (none) Avoided opponents at their top: Posting characters are limited, so this section will be excluded. Ranting at boxing legends (inappropriate behaviour): Finally calling out James Toney (237 pounds) in 2006 at super middleweight.
Brewer and Woodhall were not top quality fighters, they were decent short-term alphabelt champs, nothing more. Mitchell, Lacy and a semi-retired Eubank were good opposition, Kessler and a well past-prime Hopkins were very good opposition, there was no great opposition like a peak Jones or Hopkins would have been at any point 1997-2003. Very good fighter, undeniably feeble resume.
Great skills, but he had the ability/tools to be great, but never pursued it. he was some good guys, but he could have accomplished more
There is not an option on the poll for Very Good Fighter or Very Good Champion. I believe he was a very Good fighter not Great, and his record of World Title defenses does count for something, It make's him a better than average Champ but his resume could have been better and i think he's left boxing without fighting a prime Jones or a Prime Hopkins so cannot be considered Great.
Joe Calzaghe has retired undefeated, but with a less than impressive resume. Whether this is to be blamed on Frank Warren's perceived lack of faith to put him in with the big boys in his prime, or Joe's own hesitance, we'll never know. However, the fact is, he was around at the same time as Jones, Hopkins, Toney and never fought one in their prime.
calzaghe was avoided like a bad smell high risk low reward but.... undisputed super middle and has held every belt in that division beat 2 legends in there own backyard beat hopkins despite the guys style being totally wrong for him won the ring mag light heavy belt p4p no2 for years and even no1 in manys oppinion beat 2 younger contenders on the way 2 unification held WBO title for 11 years shame on anyone 2 question his place in history as a hall of famer
9-0 vs future, current, or former champs, beat a dozen top 10 contenders, simultaneously held 2 Ring titles, unified 168, and was in the top 2 in the Ring ratings for more than a decade straight. When THAT gets considered as your weak point, you're a great boxer.