could Joe Calzaghe whoop Andre Ward in a 15 Rd fight

I would very slightly favor Calzaghe based on punch output, but I could see it going either way. Ward is the kind of guy who finds ways to win.

 

I’d pick Calzaghe clearly.

 

joe would be making whooping noises all night, in the dressing room, hes not climb into the ring with Ward.

 

Calzaghe all day long.

Ward's slow pace would suit him and good luck in timing Zaggers' machine gun combos. I think he wears Ward out and stops him late. Levels.

 

Yes he would Ward would be in over his head when Joe's engine got going and going and going like the tasmaniaan devil with angles and range

 

Joe does more work in 10 rounds than Ward does in 15. And does anyone really think Ward is the type to handle rounds 13-15 better than this guy? I think it's a lopsided whitewash type scorecard for Calzaghe.

That and I sure don't think Ward is a good come from behind type fighter. More of an on top style guy and he'd not be able to do that with Calzaghe's punch output.

 

I'd favour Calzaghe too, possibly in a horrifically ugly and sloppy one that ends up being quite close and potentially debateable depending on what you like. A bit like the Hopkins maulfest. Ward would have some success slowing Joe down I think with his very good defensive fundamentals and positioning, landing a good amount of quick chopping right hands. I just don't think, like others have said, that he has the engine and workrate to last over 15 against Calzaghe, even if Joe looks sloppy and misses a lot in the process. For some of Calzaghe's technical flaws and susceptibility to right hands, he was an intelligent and adaptable fighter who could mix it up and take a different tack when needs required. An instinctual fighter and an excellent ring general on top of the speed, stamina and endurance as well as the slop and clumsiness at times.

The other thing with Joe is that he was strong and quite a skilled, underrated infighter imo, not one that Ward would have an old-school style edge over in that department as he always did with others. I don't see him bullying Calzaghe up close or locking him down so easily, though he'd present a significant challenge in that area. Calzaghe handled Bika a fair bit easier than Ward did as I remember it.

Calzaghe UD15 in a close but clear **** ugly one where he pulls away after the 12th after a lot of early frustration and sneak attacks shipped.

 

Ward gets frustrated, lands 5 clean headbutts, the ref calls them accidental because there is too much money at stake , and there you have it

 

I prefer Ward via a mauling, competitive UD,

More proven against prime elite level talent and he always found a way to win. Plus winning ugly was a rare talent of SOG which he'd need against Joe.

 

ward takes this

 

is that before or after joe misses with five punches in a row and the welsh ref stops it after taking two massive shots from joe, and not noticing.

 

15 rds is about impossible to evaluate. There were many guys who fought great but folded in 13-15 other guys who were average to good, but 13-15 was geared for them.

Both guys have different styles but an uncanny ability to make others fight thier style as well as to win.

I would lean towards Calzaghe but it would come down to whichever guy imposed his will and style on the other. I think Wards style makes this difficult for Calzaghe and turns it into an ugly affair. Could go either way

 

Obviously no. Ward would **** Joe up.


Joe lost half the rounds to Kessler. He lost half the fight to Reid. He probably could win half a fight against Froch but didn't want to know. Could he have edged a Murray Sutherland? Perhaps .. perhaps not. That's his level. Calzaghe = Reid = Kessler = Froch = Sutherland. Levels .. all of these fighters are relatively equal and all are a full step below Andre Ward. Joe would have struggled with ANY version of Ward - whether a novice/inexperienced young version of Ward or even if Joe had a seven year age advantage and was facing an old past prime 40 year version of Ward. Prime for prime .. Joe picks a Murray Sutherland type to fight instead and ducks Ward outright.

 

Im completely on the fence on this one. And on my top 100 list have both of them right next to each other .Im enjoying this thread