better fighter today? Mijares or Calzaghe?

Yes it is close. Pernell is obviously the better defensive fighter, but Mijares is superb in that department as well. He just has the proclivity to engage more.

The upper body movement, the smooth evasion of punches, it reminds me of Pernell. Both men's punching volume are also very similar.

 

I've not seen it, but considering it was a Mijares fight, I don't think we should rule out the possibility of biased judging. They just seem out to get him with all of these close calls on bouts he's clearly won.