Zags struggles to make 168 are well documented (he should have moved to 175 well before he did!) he's not making any catchweight below 168, not a hope in hell, he was a damn big 168lber P4P it would be a good fight but think that JCs angles, footwork and volume - and granite chin - would point to a clear UD
Probably would have to be at 165 at its lowest. JC was a big super middle. I can't see Martinez who liked to use his legs and rest before ambushing guys would last against Calzaghe's volume, hand speed and joe would be the stronger guy. Don't see Martinez winning bar any weight draining type nonsense.
Calzaghe whoops Martinez. Sergio had seem decent wins but if BHops traps werent good enough to beat Joe, no way Sergio succeeds.
Martinez got put down and arguably lost against, solid, durable, high guard Martin Murray - He doesn't beat Calzaghe... Joe was too fast, too much volume, and those bits where Sergio would want to go for a walk Joe would be able to find him and make him work when he doesn't want to. He lost to high volume Paul Williams, and Joe is better than Williams was, Lost to high volume Margarito etc etc
I think Martinez is faster and has more power, probably. Kessler had power, more power than both, but was not as nimble as Martinez, being much bigger. Martinez might be a bit of a problem for slappy, actually. He's a bit small, perhaps. But slappy isn't that big, not like he's Chavez Jr size. I think it would be closer than people expect. Wouldn't surprise me if Martinez hurt him with his fast hands. This is not old Jones/Hopkins/Eubank. The idea Joe had an iron chin is a bit silly. He fell over pretty easy against those old fighters, and Hopkins didn't have big power. Could Joe have taken the punishment Froch did from Groves? I doubt it.
Ha! Go back and watch the hellacious right hands that JC walked through from Robin Reid - even Froch gave Joe props for his chin, citing Reid as the hardest puncher he had been in with:- https://www.secondsout.com/news/carl-froch-on-hardest-hitter-he-ever-faced/
Joe's a gentleman of the sport. When Italy win the world cup he was very hospitable to some colleagues of mine and celebrated with them. He's a mad Azzurri fan.
Are people calling Joe's chin now??? Martinez himself was a good not great puncher. I mean he Joe went down a few times, and got up and always won. Mental. Eubank who could hit, Mitchell, Lacy, Kessler, it was only when he was older, fading himself and out of his best weight class did he start going dropped early but he regrouped in both fights. Plenty of things to critise Joe on, akward at times, ugly style, slappy at times punching but chin isn't one of them.
Prediction? I might jizz into my pan... never mind. Sexy Sergio(e) was magnificent in his day but no chance at 168 vs. prime Joe. Sexy poster AF tho.
