Calzaghes Resume looks even worse now!!!!

I didn't say he hadn't slowed down and I'm not not factoring his age into the equation.It's just nowhere as big of deal as some people make out. And aside from Jones, he arguably faced no-one of Calzaghe's ability through the 90's or early 2000's, except maybe Trinidad aswell, who was made for him. His own reign wasn't exactly filled with worldbeaters you know, something else that gets overlooked at times by some.

Calzaghe used lateral movement, yes; he was much better not having to chase opponents himself. He was also 37 and fought in a much more aerobically and physically demanding fashion than Hopkins. In a nutshell, Calzaghe was also an old man and past his own best by a little bit.

Hopkins was never the most massively energetic stylist even in his prime, other than walking down a green-as grass Glen Johnson (who was only ever a steady fighter anyway). In all honesty, I didn't see a big deal of difference between his activity level in the Trinidad and Pavlik fights; a span of nearly seven years.

 

Any of you guys think Chris Finnegan or Andries would beat Joe at light heavy?.

 

Suit yourself. Can you honestly say Calzahge had enough tough fights to make him an old man at 37? Hopkins resume isnt stuffed with a bunch of "name" guys, but certainly a good diverse group of very tough fighters.
A savvy fighter will always look against a one dimensional fighter, reason Hopkins looked great against Trinidad and Pavlik, and Calzahge looked great against Lacy, and Jones Jr too.

 

Good observations as ever, I can't argue too much with that. I do think that Calzaghe had slipped a little bit himself though. He moved around effectively enough, but when Hopkins didn't always bite, Joe was forced to move onto the front foot himself, never his own strong point.

Prime for prime, I couldn't pick conclusively. Both have the certain attributes to trouble the other. Maybe Hopkins.......

 

The Calzaghe vs 70s light heavies thread in general got me thinking about him vs other Brit light heavies.

Andries vs Calzaghe would probably be unwatchable on second thought, mind you.

 

In boxing its a lot easier to fight a guy coming forward in a straight line than it is to try and find a guy darting in and out and using footwork to stay away. Its impossible to compare the fights of Trinidad and Pavlik to Calzahge.
I used Evander Holyfield as an example. Even though hes ancient, put a fighter that stand in front of him, and he can look like a young man again. The same can be said for Old George Foreman. But put a guy with even the slightest bit of mobility, and the age factor sticks out like a sore thumb. Look what Larry Donald did to Evander Holyfield. Look what Axel Shutlz did to old George. Being 37 and not having a real tough career is a huge difference than fighting on the level that Hopkins did and being 43.

 

Hopkins didn't have that tough a career either.He was well preserved from his years of fighting typical IBF no-hopers.

 

Disagree, even the Pro-Ward announcres observed Kessler giving a flat performance. Something that can't be said of the Calzaghe loss. Ward hardly fought a perfect fight, his moments of aggression were often reckless, and he gave Kessler plenty of open looks that were left hanging in the air. Not taking anything away from Ward, he cearly has the style to beat Kessler and he did...but I don't think the Viking Warrior gave his best.

 

Me suit myself? Erm, ok. Hard fights or not, 37 is old in boxing, especially when you're fighting style depends a great deal on your energy levels as it did with Calzaghe. He'd slipped from the Lacy fight, that much should be evident to anybody who payed enough attention. He was becoming more hittable and even his handspeed was waning slightly along with his hands themselves. Years fought count as much as hard fights, especially when you've been fighting as long as Calzaghe has. Or Hopkins for that matter. Based on your above logic, how many hard fights had Hopkins had to make him an old man? None. His tendency to avoid punishment and his fundamental skills should serve him better, as they have, in the longevity stakes than Calzaghe's should him.

And a savvy fighter will often look good against a one-dimensional fighter, it's true. But not always to the extent that old man Hopkins did against Pavlik.

To put it bluntly, Hopkins' competition was **** in comparison to several middleweight champions who routinely get mentioned as being below him.

 

Thank you.

 

KEssler was at his best against Ward its just his best is 1 dimensional though. Calzaghe came straight to him in straight lines making him easier to hit, Ward used better timing and angles and better defense than Calzaghe. Kessler also can't throw compact punches on the inside and Ward realised this and took advantage of him on the inside. Kessler looked better against Calzaghe because it was easier to do so stylistically with Calzaghe being so open to the straight right hand