Joe Calzaghe UD or maybe TKO in Calzaghes earlier days when he had lesser hand problems. But Ward is tricky and dirty fighter who would put up a good fight.
I think Calzaghe would slap a SD in Wales, but outside Wales we are looking at a draw or potnetially a Ward hometown decision, Zaghs is good with awesome stamina, but Ward has great stamina too so its not really anadvantage, whereas skillwise hes not a match for Ward who can adapt to beating the best fighters, in their prime instead of waiting for them to get old. I dont think either of Zaghs styles (outbox and outslap) are unsurmountable for Ward, who can box better and hits far more frequently (as opposed to Cal's 80% slap missing). Wards strengths on theother hand, would give Cal a field day. The contentious issuse though is how Ward copes with a southpaw. And Ward will improve.
Beat? good chance. Easily? doubt it. Ward would be THE best SMW Calzaghe ever fought. I don't think Calzaghe has the resume to be an ATG, but that is subject to personal definition, a subjective call. However, I do think that people think that because he retired undefeated that he couldn't be beat. He did it largely against a bunch of inferior opponents, with a few meaningful wins mixed in. Retiring undefeated is nothing to scoff at, and is a great achievement if that is what he was aiming for, but you have to bear in mind who he did it against. Mine as well.
mm, thing is, if you project Ward's current run of success by a year, then he is better than Calzaghe in ability anmd accomplishment - but thats only if you EXTRAPOLATE - its not happened yet! Thats simply because he is beating champions and no2s and no3s back to back, whereas Cal fought at most (even if rose tinted specs) half a dozen actual real contenders in his whole reign of 11 years (Veit, Woodhall, Kessler, possibly retired Eubank, possibly old Bhop, possibly maybe Lacy but well, not really). But its more like 3 real prime contenders. Whereas Ward has gone four real top contenders in a row, if you pardon tv champ Bika. So in two years thats more or at least as many real primes than Calzaghe's whole reign. Think about that for a moment. Thats one hell of a difference IF SOG keeps on going ten years at this rate he will have topped Calzaghe FIVE TIMES OVER. Thats one massive difference, Even if SOG keeps it up for just five more years, he will top Calzaghe by 2 or 3 times in acheivement. Though we are still talking 'could' at this stage, there is little reason to suggest he wont on his current form. You never know, he might lose it all in the next fight, and being able to keep it togheter is what defines champs. of course the question is about H2H not resumes, but resumes seems to come up often in this argument. As so my answer, its Calzaghe SD Wales, draw in England, UD to Ward outside the UK. Ward definitely has the edge in skill, I dont care what anyone or Calnuthuggers think. Cals skills are exaggerated horribly by his fans, though hes pretty sharp with reflexes, hes not accurate.
I can see Ward pretty much attempting to do what BHOP did pretty well against Calzaghe, hit him with straight rights, dont allow him to build momentum, smother and headbutt him when he had the chance and mail him up close, but he wouldn't tire like Hopkins did imo
Better outside fighter = Ward Better Inside fighter = Ward Better at Mid range = Calzaghe Better at controlling distance = Ward This is enough info for a wise man to realise how the fight will roughly turn out. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Further Info:- Ward never gives his opponents that mid range, because his advantages lie in the outside and inside. Hopkins (the closest thing to Ward calzaghe has fought) was beating Calzaghe when he was either out of range, or close by. Calzaghe had to make it mid range to have success. Ward, controls distance better than Calzaghe, so would be controlling the distance in a hypothetical match up.
As much as I dislike Calzaghe, he would beat Ward. I don't really understand the hype Ward gets around here.
No he didn't. I think anywhere outside of jOakland, Calzaghe wins a hard fought, close decision. Both are great at judging distance, Calzaghe's inside skills are also better than many on here give him credit for. Calzaghe is significantly quicker than Froch, and has an awkward and unique style. Ward tired in the later rounds against Froch, and that's when Froch started to make it a closer fight by applying constant pressure. Ward would be very effective at spoiling, he'd do all he can to avoid exchanges at mid-range. If he can push himself into Calzaghe's chest, and impose his strength, similar to what he did against Bika, and Froch at times, then he can really nullify Joe's offence. This is a difficult fight for both guys, I pick Calzaghe by a close decision, around 115-113.