Calzaghe won me over- a former hater- here's why

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Royal-T-Bag, Nov 16, 2008.


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  1. Royal-T-Bag

    Royal-T-Bag Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I've discredited Calzaghe in the past but i'm starting to come around. The guy is an amazing fighter. Here's my opinion as a reformed Calzaghe fan.

    In the past I disliked him because, quite frankly, there's lots not to like about his style of fighting (his method of quantity over quality) amongst various other reasons like- many of his fans are the most annoying twats in boxing, he really does get OVERRATED, his resume definetly isn't what it should be and I hate the fact that he's going to retire without anyone ever really knowing if he could hang with an All time Great in their prime. Buuuuuut recently I've looked past those things because it ain't the guys fault that a bunch of idiots that don't know **** about boxing like him. Resume and power issues aside, he's got a lengthy title reaign and an undefeated record against modest opposition.

    Head to head I wouldn't pick anyone over the guy because he makes it damn near impossible to win rounds even though he's not really inflicting damage it's very hard to score a round against him when he connects with 30 pitty patter punches vs 10 punches(probably around 6 of which are quality) from whoever he's fighting. He's got an great will to win at all costs, amazing volume punching, great hand speed, excellent footwork, lightning quick reflexes and the ability to take big punches and come off the canvass to turn the tide (awesome recovery abilities)....all of this combined make for a very difficult fight for anyone ever. There's only a handful of middles/super middles that i would pick over the dude in their prime.

    I think Calzaghe would get a lot less criticism if it wasn't for the slaps, the lack of power and his many super annoying fans that know nothing about boxing. Also his style is very ugly to watch(kinda looks and moves like a rooster in the ring) and the way he showboats just doesn't suit his fighting style. Showboating suits Roy jones JR and Naseem Hamed cause of their slickness, fluidity and crowd pleasing explosive style, for some reason when Calzaghe showboats it seems too forced and awkward and he looks goofy and weird doing it cause he has no fluidity.

    If he had another couple top names IN THEIR PRIMES on his resume I would put him in the top 50 pound for pound fighters of all time but as it stands I have him just edging into my top 100. If he fight and beats Dawson I'll bump him up to top 80.

    I consider this a very fair assessment from a guy who has hoped for Calzaghe to get annihilated in his last 3 fights(never been dumb enough to bet against him though). I think I'll be cheering for him to retire undefeated with an exclamation mark on a brilliant career if he fights Dawson even though I'm somewhat of a Dawson fan as well.
     
    Royal-T-Bag, Nov 16, 2008
    Royal-T-Bag, Nov 16, 2008
    #1
  2. Imperial1

    Imperial1 VIP Member Full Member

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    Fair pts ..I don't think there is nothing wrong with what you said about Joe .:good
     
    Imperial1, Nov 16, 2008
    Imperial1, Nov 16, 2008
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  3. USboxer1981

    USboxer1981 The Real Def. MVP Full Member

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    Good points, I do think he's a good fighter , But these euros that say he would beat prime BHOP or JONES, or the ones who claim he is a top 10 ATG make me sick..

    Not to mention, I have never really liked arrogant fighters, and Calzaghe is kind of an arrogant *****.
     
    USboxer1981, Nov 16, 2008
    USboxer1981, Nov 16, 2008
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  4. Royal-T-Bag

    Royal-T-Bag Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    never considered him very arrogant. he seems like a genuine person and a real nice humble dude outside the ring.
     
    Royal-T-Bag, Nov 16, 2008
    Royal-T-Bag, Nov 16, 2008
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  5. Imperial1

    Imperial1 VIP Member Full Member

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    One thing that I just realized is that the Euro's don't have a legacy like the United States ..As far as ATG's all they got worth mentioning is LL and Joe ..Its ok for them to wish on upon a star about how a fight between Joe and Jones in their primes would look but thats all they got is hope .So instead they get what they have now . If they want to elevate the Joe win over Jones so be it but they know it does nothing for his legacy the Hopkins did but the unfortunate thing is that no matter what there are still doubts ..
     
    Imperial1, Nov 16, 2008
    Imperial1, Nov 16, 2008
    #5
  6. bzolor

    bzolor Member Full Member

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    He will be renembered for his speed, stamina and ringsmarts.
     
    bzolor, Nov 16, 2008
    bzolor, Nov 16, 2008
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  7. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Thats the way he has always come across to me.

    A nice guy outside the ring & a soldier in it.
     
    Bill Butcher, Nov 16, 2008
    Bill Butcher, Nov 16, 2008
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  8. Poirot

    Poirot Active Member Full Member

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    Fair point. My knowledge of boxing is a smattering. I'm the first one to admit that. But anyway:

    I like Calzaghe and I'll defend him against the critics who go overboard. However, if he is a smart man then he will retire and he still would have accomplished a lot me thinks. However, a bit of me thinks he needs to beat Dawson and Johnson - this to me would definitely put him on a par with Hopkin' status and possibly even have a greater value than that of H-hops (the resume). The thing is there is a serious danger of him losing as he is complaining of struggling for motivation. The hard to please connosiuer' would still criticise, but there would be more converts in his favour if he gets past Dawson and Johnson. I personally think he should retire.
     
    Poirot, Nov 16, 2008
    Poirot, Nov 16, 2008
    #8
  9. TommyV

    TommyV Loyal Member banned

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    He is far from arrogant. He appeared so in the Jones fight with his showboating, but that's in the ring.

    Outside he isn't an arrogant guy.
     
    TommyV, Nov 16, 2008
    TommyV, Nov 16, 2008
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  10. crespo21

    crespo21 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    couldnt agree more. actually had the pleasure of meeting the guy. and he is a top bloke.
    just wish people wouldnt comment so harshly on someone they have never met in person. a bit childish really. same can be said of david haye.
     
    crespo21, Nov 16, 2008
    crespo21, Nov 16, 2008
    #10
  11. gottagivafight

    gottagivafight When you least expect it, expect it!!! banned Full Member

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    My position is, I don't believe he would've beatin' the RJJ of the 90's or the B-Hop that whipped DLH-but the cat's a bad mother****er just the same. I salute the guy for his accomplishments.
     
    gottagivafight, Nov 16, 2008
    gottagivafight, Nov 16, 2008
    #11
  12. Royal-T-Bag

    Royal-T-Bag Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    good points folks.
     
    Royal-T-Bag, Nov 17, 2008
    Royal-T-Bag, Nov 17, 2008
    #12
  13. Axe

    Axe Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He does talk a lot of ****. He lacked class in his comments about both Pavlik and Hopkins.
     
    Axe, Nov 17, 2008
    Axe, Nov 17, 2008
    #13
  14. StreetsOfGold

    StreetsOfGold Boxing Addict Full Member

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    There goes your credibility out the window, so you are saying Ken Buchanan isn't an ATG ?

    Jimmy Wilde
    Bob Fitzsimmons
    Ted "Kid" Lewis
    Randy Turpin
    Freddy Welsh

    Are just a few more names for you.
     
    StreetsOfGold, Nov 17, 2008
    StreetsOfGold, Nov 17, 2008
    #14
  15. hopkins54

    hopkins54 Active Member Full Member

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    most great fighters are arrogant thats part of what makes them so good.
     
    hopkins54, Nov 17, 2008
    hopkins54, Nov 17, 2008
    #15
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