I'd pick Joe Calzaghe to beat Canelo ass but I don't think beating a dusty old Roy Jones Jr. is a good measuring stick to reach that conclusion. A prime Roy Jones Jr. would wipe the floor with Joe Calzaghe and Canelo on the same night and he might not even go 6 rounds in total. Even Roy when he was washed up dropped Calzaghe hard in the first round.
Dropped him with a forearm. In this “Roy Jones in his prime…”, does Calzaghe get to be in his prime too, or are you talking about the 36 year old Calzaghe who beat Jones? Only asking because people always say “if Roy was in his prime” as if Joe wasn’t past his prime at 36 years old too.
Roy relied a lot more on reflexes unlike Calzaghe and by the time he was 39 they were gone. Roy was also 3 years older and got dominated and stopped by Glen Johnson beforehand that should let you know he was a shell dude. Stopped by Green and Lebedev afterwards too. No comparison. Roy clearly looked done. Calzaghe did not
Bad style match up for Canelo. We know he doesn't do well with movement and when he fades down the stretch like he usually does Joe will step on the gas and be all over him, he might just stop Canelo due to him be simply exhausted rather than hurt.
Joe "The Italian Dragon" Calzaghe wins by unanimous decision, in a similar fight to Bivol Vs Canelo (landing more punches). Joe would be too elusive for Canelo, as would Bivol. And that way he would win almost all rounds (or all).
Zaggers. Has the adaptability to defuse Canelo's attack and variety to land his own. Faster hands, better stamina and probably as important as anything much faster on his feet. After seeing what Bivol did Joe is more than capable of doing something very simelar. He was light heavy who drained down most of his career so he would be the bigger man on the night and carry it better. Zaggers strengths match up well with Canelos weaknesses.