Calzaghe's only form at the weight are points wins against a shell of Roy Jones and a 43 year-old Hopkins. He was on the deck in both of them. There's no reason to think he could have overcome a guy with the range, chin, size, movement and punch variety of Bivol.
Bivol has one of the best straight right hands I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong, it's not a knockout straight right like Tzysu or Hearns, but it is deadly accurate and throw often and at the right time/distance. Beterbiev ate a **** ton of them as did Canelo and every other opponent hea has faced. Bivol also has an very deep amateur pedigree and he understands how to beat a southpaw, especially one that throws a lot of punches and leaves himself wide open in the process. I would take Bivol all day on this fight based on that straight right hand against Calzaghe's southpaw stance and low postioned lead hand.
Hard to say because Calzaghe didn’t have many fights there, Bivol is more proven at 175lbs. I’d go with Bivol on points.
Calzaghe was a comfortable SMW. He's not a LHW.. I might get s*** for this but I think that Bivol is quite similar to Kessler in some ways.. especially that straight one two they have, its a thing of beauty .. Kessler was every bit as athletic, he just didn't have Bivols footwork.. don't get me wrong, i think Bivol is better overall but I've always thought there were similarities .. watch some more Kessler.. was a formidable SMW in his pomp.. but you can't pick a career SMW over Bivol, even a great one like Joe.. Calzaghe isn't proven there, Bivol is. In fact hes an ATG now, Canelo, Beterbiev, Zurdo. That's a fkin resume right there..
Probably Bivol by a close decision. Calzaghe didn’t spend much time at 175 and by the time he did he was at the end of his career. Of course it could be argued that his win over Bernard Hopkins was as good or better than Bivol ever had. But nevertheless I’ll give Dimtrii the slight edge
Agreed. Because of this, and Joes brittle hands, I think Bivol would push for the knock out or three knockdown stoppage. Why risk it on the cards?
Bivol by close decision. Bivol has ample experience fighting and sparring with southpaws from his amateur days, hence he handled Zurdo relatively easily. Calzaghe is quicker and has a high work rate but i think he is vulnerable to the straight right. Bivol will find a way to win a close decision. Bivol UD, 7-5.
