Leaning towards a close UD for Ward. I think Calzaghe's activity would just give Ward more chances to counter and land the cleaner, harder shots. But I can also see Calzaghe winning quite a few rounds based on activity.
Ward has a very similar style to B Hop and Calzaghe has a little frustration with the head first, fouling and clinching style B Hop used. I expect Ward vs Calzaghe would be very similar but Ward would be faster on the feet to jab, grab and counter to a 116-112 UD.. the outcome of this fight would be heavily influenced by who’s the 3rd man in the ring.
Interesting fight, albeit one done a thousand times. I pick Calzhage. It's a case of an out-boxer vs a swarmer, and in this one the swarmer has the speed advantage. Ward also tended to fade late in fights whereas Calzhage has unreal stamina and his engine is still ludicrous in the 12th. He's a true 15 round fighter. Since Joe's a southpaw, he's gonna be smothering Ward's lead hand. Calzhage worked around jabs his whole career, and he was damn good at it. I see him weaving around that lead and stuttering his shots to throw off Ward's timing. He'd also probably mix his combinations up, inverting 1-2s, and level changing a lot. Joe definitely snakes his left in there with as high a frequency as he can. Ward's strategy would probably involve timing Calzaghe's offence, and using excessive clinching to keep Calzhage from out-working him on the inside. He'd also probably stand in a wide stance as to minimise the movement used and maximize stamina reserves. He got good leverage on his counters when he fought like that. Calzhage has to stutter his offence and give Ward a new look every round. He also has to get off first before Ward clinches, and with his hand speed and unorthodox offence, I think he has the ability to do so. I don't like the B-Hop comparisons here. Hopkins had qualities that troubled Calzhage that Ward doesn't have. Hopkins was taller, bigger and longer than Ward, plus he was more physical. He was also very lucky to have a lenient ref that night. Hopkins was also brilliant at setting straps with the right-hand, he could also initiate clinches off it. As a southpaw swarmer, Joe was pretty open to this strategy and Hopkins tried to implement it. Ward is a converted southpaw, and so has a much better left than right. His jab and lead hook were his bread and butter, and to get off his power shots I've seen him switch southpaw to use his left. His right hand isn't as good as B-Hop's. And to be honest, I'm not sure Ward was even as good as a mid-2000s B-Hop, and it's not like Calzhage was a spring chicken going into that one, either. Ward's genius ring IQ and class as a fighter would no doubt give Calzhage issues, as it would anyone, but I highly doubt it's enough to make up for the style disadvantage he's at here.
You know, I really like both these guys, and don't feel a need to pick either. Hope they both stay retired and undefeated. Props, guys.
Calzaghe in a close fight. I don't think Ward has the right hand lead or counter off of his front-foot attacks or perimeter circling to really take full advantage of the openings Calzaghe would give him the way somebody like a prime Hopkins would. Ward's primary tactics on the outside would probably be to circle to his left, block Calzaghe's right jab with his lead hand and come over the top with jabs, and turn the jab into a counter left hook from time to time. He'd also look to grapple a lot in close and dig hooks to the body during the wrestling. When Ward worked his way inside, he'd often put up a high guard earmuff and bully his way in, but I could see Calzaghe's footspeed coming in handy here; he'd fire off a few quick shots and change the angle (catching the attention of the judges) and forcing Ward to reset a bit more often than not IMO. Overall, I think Calzaghe's footspeed, quick short shots, and feinting see him to a close decision on activity in a fight that has people arguing afterwards. Rally interesting technical and tactical battle, but I don't think it would be pretty.
They have 2 common opponents (Bika & Kessler) & prime Ward had to nut em both into submission whereas an old Calzaghe clowned around with them he was so superior to them..
Calzaghe had far too much class for the illegal tactic-using, fouler Ward- tarnished wins vs Froch, Kovalev, Bika. You name it.
