He's definitely one of the best ever but I think it has to be Lennox Lewis, better resume than Calzaghe and the fact that Calzaghe has never fought outside the UK will always count against him in my book. Calzaghe is a great fighter though, to do what he did last night at 35 years of age was incredible. Kessler is a brilliant fighter in his prime its clear to see that, yet for me Calzaghe was a clear clear winner. Eubank, Lacy and Kessler are 3 defining fights, if he gets one more against Hopkins then his legacy will be secure.
Lewis resume outshines every British fighter and even a Hatton stomping of Mayweather wouldn't eclipse Lewis' achievements...... If however Calzaghe beats Hopkins and Pavlik then maybe were getting somewhere...
Calzaghe is better than wilde or farr, neither of them have made 20+ world title defences and been top of their game for 10 years ,wilde i rare higher than farr though. Fitzsimmons was only the champ for 2 years and had significant loses over the years. Ted kid lewis was an excellent boxer but losing numerous fight's to not exactly stellar opposition discounts him from being the best. Jack britton was american so he obviouly can't be the best british boxer of all time.
Calzaghe defended against Mario Veit(in their second fight) in Germany and against Will McIntyre(ya I know :roll in Denmark so to say he's never fought outside the UK is simply incorrect .
Sorry mate but thats just nonsense. Farr was a decent contender but no more than that, if Louis hadn't been champion its not a given than Farr would've been champ. He lost Bradock, Baer and Nova amongst others straight after his title shot. Wildes record is amazing but still doesn't contain the number of wins against wolld class opposition that Calzaghes does. Owen? Come on, a great, gutsy technician but never truly proved himself world class. Stop hating and give Calzaghe the respect he deserves...
yeah that's the thing. if calzaghe had been done twice like that this thread would not be seeing the light of day. :yep it's certainly got close between joe and lennox i think. :bbb
Thats because the names on Lewis' record go a long way to 'covering' those loses (plus the fact he avenged both). Calzaghes resume, while very impressive, doesn't contain the top class names to allow for two big defeats IMO. I think we've got to throw Ruby Robert in the mix as well....3 time champ from middle to heavy.....
I don't think Jim Watt gets the credit he deserves, I'd find room for him somewhere on that list. His record of 5 world title defences (when there were only 2 belts) by a British boxer stood for years.
I hate rating boxers from the past against each other.... And I especially hate people who say 'gentleman' jim anashead was a better fighter then Calzaghe based solely on what they have read... you can't judge a fighters capabilities by reading about them and it pisses me off when people try- its pointless and misleading.
You can compare achievements.....if you compare skills theres a natural temptation to 'romantasize' the older fighters.
He hasn't yet beaten a champion in their own backyard. If he does that in the US next year then there'd be no doubt imo