Joe Calzaghe vs Gerald McClellan At SMW

Jeezus, Mcclellan is overrated as hell on this forum, he was knocked out by Benn, no way in hell he beats Calzaghe, lol yea he could punch, but had **** stamina for a long fight, no jab, a so so chin, everytime Benn hit him real hard he kept blinking, he also had a lousy corner, was was stupid, he had no plan b when he got into deep water, and paid the price..

 

Let's not forget that Joe was in his mid 30's by that time. For a guy that relies on speed, reflexes, timing and stamina, that is not a good age.

Still, I am conflicted on this one. Joe would have to do a tightrope walk to win.

 

Calzaghe wins no matter his game plan.

 

Joe did have a weakness to avoiding straight rights, which could give him nightmares here. I mean Robin Reid gave him a close fight in his supposed prime. I think he probably got better and smarter after that though.

Joe should win, should be too fit for McClellan but McClellan could take him out.

 

No chance, Calzaghe stops him late.

 

No brainer Calzaghe kicks his ass, most likely comfortable decision, or late stoppage...

 

rare case of Joe getting stopped, but a welsh ref in cardiff might effect him a win by keeping G-man off him whenever he got started and probably carrying Joseph back to his corner when he inevitably got knocked down.

Joe never fought anyone as fast AND strong as the General, and ue as hell would never voluntarily face him, not till he was in his forties anyway (so in that way it might have even happened had G not got injured, Calzaghe would have been eyeing up an uninjured but badly faded fortysomething McClellan without a doubt in the 2000s).

Obvously Joe would get floored by fat fortysomething Gman but would rally to scrape a SD.

And even more obviously Joe beats paraplegic Gman by UD, being unable to stop the blind deaf McClellan with his featherfists, he instead showboats and pretends to have sx with the invalid whilst whooping with joy.

 

I don't think referencing a fight where Gerald had a brain hemorrhage, to put down his chin, is being objective.

He was eating clean shots off of Julian Jackson, i think his chin was tested. Not that it matters as Joe's threat isn't power anyway.

50/50 fight in my eyes. G man early or Joe takes over around the midway point.

 

First of all Jackson was a midget compared to McClellan, so stop right there, he was no giant killer at higher weights against quality opposition and even admitted the huge size of the G man after ge got laid out in the post fight interview.

Calzaghe is no small guy so McCallen advantage he had against most of his fights would go right out the window, has a good chin, has great ring smarts and certainly would be wary of the right , however, the G man never ever had a back up plan, little patience and put too much in bombs wqich caused stamina issues and had a very leaky defense , all these flaws could have been addressed in the gym but never were, they simply relied on him overpowering the other guy.

Proof ? The Benn fight, Benn was similar size, resilient, could take a punch and had the will to win, once McCallen could not outslug,him he was in deep waters and got drowned .

His only chance are in the first couple of rounds if he catches Calzaghe flush on the button but after that it is all Calzaghe, I would not be surprised if Joe gives away the first two/three rounds until the G man shot his wad and go to work.

 

I think he could hurt him anytime during the first half of the fight, but agree that the most likely outcome is Calzaghe taking over.

I don't think the Benn fight proves much at all, Gerald was very likely hurt coming in to the fight according to accounts. He was having trouble whenever he got hit and i don't put that down to Benn. And lets be honest without a crooked referee giving Benn rest time whenever he was hurt, Benn gets stopped regardless.

 

Exactly. Joe would avoid enough of Gerald's power punches so not to get too hurt by the G-Man.


Calzaghe would win by around four points.

 

Calzaghes class and ability can be measured by his greatest feat, beating a prime good champion in Kessler.
This does not display a 'great' level of ability - merely a good norm for a title holder to be facing. It does display great conditioning in Joe, that's wat it does.

Its actually the opposite of what you claim, the Benn fight showed that McClellan despite winning, could be stitched up by a favourable ref and judges that Calzaghe relied on heavily.

 

again you are inventing mythical ability for Joe, he wasn't a greatly evasive boxer, he relied on soaking it up against those who couldn't bang, or facing someone too slow or old to hit him. Joe had good reflexes sure, but don't pretend they are anything great.

Joes resume only tells us one thing, he would do everything his power to avoid a fight with a guy like McClellan for fear of his first KO loss.

 

joe would have easily outpointed the old, past his prime mcclellan.

 

joe avoided most good fighters of his era until they were past their best with the exception of kessler who was good not great and lacy who most agree was overrated tho it was still a fine win.
He and sven ottke cornered the market in making multiple defenses in their back yards against the weakest opposition they could get away with.
i dont think anyone, joe included, would suggest that he could live with a prime jones or hopkins which is why he openly avoided both until they were past it.
Mclellan was a similar level boxer to jones and hopkins though he hadn't proved it yet. He had a great jab, great set up and was a lethal puncher to head and body.
Nigel benn was a man possessed the night he fought mclellan, i doubt joe couldve been hit like that and flew right back at one of the hardest hitting middleweights ive ever seen. benn was fearless and could hit
julian jackson could ko a dinosaur on his night regardless of size so no way is calzaghe hurting mclellan and he couldnt slap him silly like he did to lacy because mclellan wouldve kayoed him in a round.
Joe would probably have tried to box carefully but i dont think his temperament couldve carried it off.
mclellan by ko any time in rounds 1 -8 depending on how careful joe was.