Him and Chalres both put on some weight, not intentionally. Fight was outdoors, and it rained 3 days. So after weigh in, they just kept sharp--little shodow boxing, little speedbag, some light calesthenics. So by not training intensly those 2-3 days the weight came on, but it was muscle being replenished from rest. No 5 mile a day roadwork, heavy sparring, wood chopping, or anything else. I don't have link, but try New York Times archives.
Calzaghe can run but can't hide. His chin would see him through a few rounds, but ultimately it's going to be as one-sided as Marciano-Charles II.
As I said, I think Rocky would KO Calz. How would Joe do against some other heavyweight champs?: 1) First on my list, he beats Leon Spinks 2) Pick em with Michael Spinks 3) Holyfield be real interesting, but I think Holy late TKO as he always seems to find a guys chin and has good power. Joe could decision though. 4) Joe might beat Mike Weaver and not get touched 5) Floyd Patterson!! Very interesting, probably KO for Floyd. Combination of speed and power is lethal. Floyd did'nt have the best chin though. 6) Ali, Frazier, Holmes, Foreman. Don't take these fights Joe. Could Joe beat any of the current guys: Sultan?.................
Spinks non stop aggression and size would be hell. you have to be kidding. Spinks is not only much bigger but is a sensational boxer/puncher, he'd leave Caz prone. Brutal one punch KO power at 175 as well as superb skill. The oddsmakers would label it at least 8-5 Spinks. Holyfield a natural 20 pounds heavier or more with ATG proven skills and toughness. Easy pick. Be the only chance he had, and a very slim one. Caz sure wouldn't test it.
I think a lot of people under-rate Michael Spinks as a lightheavyweight today, because of his fight with Tyson. Spinks was a beast at 175lbs and i don't think any LHW in history would've survived the Tyson that Michael faced.... motivated, hungry, young, fast. Making Calzaghe even 50/50 with Spinks is giving him way too much credit. Granted, Kessler and Lacy were good wins, but besides that his resume is paper thin compared to Spinks.
I'd put any amount of money on that point. Peak Tyson wasvery likely the worst nightmare for any 175 pound fighter in history. Only Janitor might disagree. Even if they were born over 175 Kessler and Lacy wouldn't blow wind up Spinks ass, let alone at 168.
Has JC ever fought or knocked anyone out above 168 lbs? Manfredo and Marciano names both start with "M". Maybe that is the extrapolation.
I'll give Marciano an edge if Calzaghe breaks a hand. But when I finish building my time machine you'll all be surprised by how easilly Calzaghe outspeeds and outboxes Rocky. By how evasive he is. You'll get a little false hope when Calzaghe show-boats against him, but that would be false hope.
If Calzage really is capable of beating Marciano then why dosnt he just shoot straight for Sultan Ibragimov and the WBO heavyweight title? That should be an easy nights work for him.
This is not me being a dick. Buuuut muscle doesn't replenish i.e get heavier after stopping doing hard workouts. Im pretty sure ill ask some of my lectuars on monday... but ive never heard anything in any physiology classes that would suggest that it would. I could be dead wrong obviuosly so ill check. Sounds more like they are regaining water weight tbh. Still a 196 pound Rocky probably KTFO Joe.
Why dont you ask John Garfield next time he is on here. He used to watch Rocky train. Also Marcianos press ajent Ben Bentley coroborates the story.