Apparently this guy wasnt much of a boxer...

Slap yourself to HoF status.

 

Very good fighter but lacks a big win or two in order to be considered great, same with Mayweather. Call me harsh but I just don't like the "great" or "ATG" labels handed to guys who lack the challenges in their careers to be considered either. I'm a purist plain and simple so it takes a lot for a boxer to impress me.

 

Firstly, Hello, long term reader.

Thought i'd poke my nose in on this one.

Calzaghe fought at SM all his career, he was close to retirement, what to guys closing in on retirement want? A nest egg to retire on. Where was the most money? In a step up to LH to face BHop and RJJ. BHop was close, but I think most neutrals would agree Calzaghe did enough, he was more accurate throughout and RJJ was simply a 'payday' for RJJ, and a name on Joe's CV, still, that's not what's being debated here.

I think it's pretty obvious he never had a great deal of power, not to mention dried pasta would have been a 'tougher' replacement for his first.

His boxing skills have never been doubted though, and you only win by sticking to what you do best, and in Clazaghe's case, he 'boxed'. It's not how everyone likes to see a fights progress, but like with PBF, you can't help but admire the 'boxing' on display.

Yes, we all love a slugger, someone throwing their fists (and face) straight at the opponent, but every boxer is different, and has to react to their strengths (and weaknesses)

Calzaghe was a very good champion, I think his career defining fight will never be the BHop/RJJ ones, but the performance against Kessler, who most agree, is pretty useful, and let's not forget, Calzaghe was no spring chicken himself.

I'm not a fan of his, but he was very good.