Calzaghe

Kessler could go on to be great....and Eubank was certainly a great fighter. Not sure that Hopkins at 42 is better than Kessler right now. I don't think he is, though I can see how one might argue that he is.

 

Of course Kessler could go on to be a great, but at this point he's not even close. There are many fighters who had the potential to be great if they last in this sport, but only the true champions get that status of being an ATG. Eubanks was JC's second best win but Eubanks was far past his prime and JC took advantage of that. Still it was impressive for a young JC.

 

Everyone says Calzaghe has fought no one. He has had over 20 title defenses! Anyone who can retain a belt over 20 times is worth his salt, these are PROFESSIONAL fighters were talking about here, sure some are better than others but these guys arent just cupcakes.

Lacy was one of the most feared men in boxing when Joe schooled him, Now he is "an exposed bum" only because he lost to calzaghe!
Manfredo was a decent name after doing well on the contender.
Sakio Bika lost a lopsided decision to Calzaghe and he looked like a big puncher against codrington on the contender final.
Last but not least, KESSLER, who had almost 40 wins, unbeaten, a big puncher, good boxing skills, good chin. Had two of the SMW Belts which are now calzaghe's.

You guys who say Kessler isnt anything special and that calzaghe cant box, did you even watch the Kessler-Calzaghe fight? Kessler hit Joe with bombs all throughout and when other men would have gone down joe kept coming back with flurries. Calzaghe has tremendous hand speed, great stamina, and as seen in the kessler fight a great chin and can take a punch.

I think Calzaghe Hopkins will be a competitive fight, but lets have no more of this Calzaghe is a bum garbage.

 

:roll:

Wow another calzghe bashing thread, dont matter what you say 10 year reign as champion and unifying a division is impressive is it not.

Hopkins was offered a fight with joe years ago but turned it down, ottke avoided joe like the plague. He destroyed the myth of jeff lacy when everyone picked jeff to win. He beat kessler who will most probably be the man to take up the mantle of 168 champ when joe moves up or retires.

and you say joe only beat 3 underfeated fighters whic is wrong he has beaten 4 and bhop only beat 4 and one of them was an 8 fight novice :deal

It dosen't matter what joe does he will always get knocked by some people but at least get your facts right.

p.s joe will beat bhop by a wide ud :good

Forgot to mention joe is still underfeated of course

 

I understand Calzaghe has a lack of BIG NAME fights on his resume, but to say he has fought no one is a stretch, Kessler is a good fighter.

 

But most of the time, when we talk about ATG fighting great fighters, it's in hindsight. Kessler was a young unbeaten prime SMW champion with 2 belts. The second such fighter he has beaten. I think some credit should be given for clearing out the division.....the same credit that is given to Hopkins in fact for doing the same a weight class below.

 

If he defeats popkins...

Two weight world champ
21 defences at SMW
Undisputed SMW
Pretty much retired "the next mike tyson"
Beat an undefeated tank of a prime fighter with relative ease.
Beat future HOFers Hopkins, Eubank
Ducked by a lot of fighters.
Also has massive crowds of 50,000 +, ATG lists are about what the person has one for the sport as well.

 

At the age of 42 - you still wouldn't pick a lot of guys to beat B-Hop - so why down play him now. Most start to talk of B-Hop like he should be retired already - but in the same breathe talk about how he should be fighting the winner of Jones/Tito and not JC.

Most American Boxing Fans (myself included) have a hard time giving Joe all the credit he deserves - for the fact that we've only seen maybe a handful of his fights. We have to research what we don't know - but get to watch damn near all of B-Hop fights on TV.

B-Hop is already a ATG and if JC happens to beat him - he should be considered on too. We praise B-Hop for almost going 10 years undefeated - when JC actually went 10 years undefeated. Regardless to whom he was fighting - that's a hard task to do, in any sport.

 

Bull****, Lacy was showtimes goldenboy everyone was picking him to KO Joe.

Joe has destroyed Lacy's career with the ultimate "guide to boxing for idiots"

 

Lacy has looked bad lately. But he did have a very bad injury and hasn't looked the same since.

 

You really give JOE way too much credit for his resume. Where Joe deserves credit is in his preparation, talent and skill. That is undeniable. but to mention Lacy, who at the time was being hyped but also known as YOUNG and GREEN also very much UNPROVEN......The funny thing is JOE was also being touted as "UNPROVEN" b/c of his resume. I don't doubt joe's ability but i do have to question his championship heart b/c he's never tested himself agasint his "PEERS" who are on level with him in talent & Skill. Joe has beaten some good fighters....but when a truly GREAT fighter or potentially Great fighter beats a good fighter it's really not a huge deal....ATG's make their names by beating other greats or guys who are far more physically dominating. Joe hasn't tried to test himself and his legacy will show the effect down the line.

 

Calzaghe should have fought and beaten Winky Wright after he beat Mosley.