Thought Clazaghe was underrated is anything. Been a long while since I've seen the Reid fight but I remeber I had Clazaghe just edging it against Reid. I had Clazaghe winning against Hopkins by 3 points. I was just surprised only 1 judge tried to rob Calzaghe against an American fighter in America (it was Adelaide Byrd - no surprise). Also Kessler was a top fighter and a great win for Calazghe.
Clazaghe went from being underrated through most of his career (his own fault tbf) to then getting a bit overrated based on that brief run of wins at the end his career.
Theres a whole load of binmen on and washed up fighters on Calzaghes record.....The Kessler win is his best imo Some people think he is Britains best ever boxer ,i find that crazy...
The fact so much stock gets put into the Hopkins win also shows how thin his record is. There is a lot of rewriting of history that now goes on when it comes to that fight. Yes, Hopkins was still very good but the idea that he was still anywhere his best is just not true. He was 43, had been noticeably declining since around the Joppy fight and had already lost twice to Jermain Taylor. Calzaghe was 4-1 on to win that fight, and for good reason. It was actually supposed to be an easy fight for Calzaghe. Yet he got dropped, didn't look good and the SD was highly contentious. Jermain Taylor and Chad Dawson both beat the same version of Hopkins and did it far more convincingly, yet no one makes a big deal about it.
Joe fought and beat everyone put in front of him. Regardless of how you judge the opposition, that is a feat in itself. Joe had an excellent style that was trouble for any super middle of any era. His speed and ability to read a fight was exemplary.
Another plus in his favour is there was no fight where you can see he won by robbery. Yes he had some close fights but as said above, he beat everyone in front of him. He was able to compete and beat the best he fought.
I can see why people think he is but I really don't think he's overrated. I always say this, smash up the hands of the best and see if they can find a way to win. Then have them train in an old basic as hell gym and tell them that they are going to have to go into World Title fights against unbeaten champions without any sparring or much if any bag work. Joe Calzaghe was truly unique, the WBO pad out taints him in the eyes of many but after the performances against Lacy and Kessler he cemented his place as one of British boxings best.
Well said. Joe, even on an off night produced time after time. It’s a testament to his quality and capabilities. I am not on the Joe Calzaghe payroll, but know a cracking fighter when I watch one.
I forget what the offer was now but I don't think Reid was getting many offers at the time and didn't look good in his fight after Calzaghe They had a bit of history as I recall. I think it was something to do with the fight not happening when Reid was WBC champ
