Froch Vs Calzaghe (greatness and h2h)

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by lufcrazy, Apr 13, 2018.


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  1. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    Now that these two have been retired a while, how should they be remembered in comparison with each other?

    Once Froch came to the end of his career I'd pretty much decided he was the greater of the two as he matched the best victory of Calzaghe and had tested himself more (imo). I also kinda felt he'd walk Joe down and put the hurt on him. Since he's retired his Groves victory looks better and better as well given George is now the consensus number 1 in the division and pretty much nailed on the win the WBSS.

    But yesterday I was looking at my ATG list and two things struck me 1) it looks wrong that Calzaghe isn't amongst my top 100. 2) it would look wronger placing Froch above him.

    Usually my list is my list, but here I'm open to persuasion (assuming anyone gives a damn)

    So as it stands I have Joe Calzaghe at number 86 (that isn't up for debate here) but should I either rank Froch above Joe (top 85) alongside Joe (87-99) or not at all?

    Obviously people are entitled to call Joe a bum etc and say he isn't worthy of a place himself but that won't really serve the purpose of the thread, all I wanna know is how Froch should be ranked in comparison to Joe.
     
    lufcrazy, Apr 13, 2018
    lufcrazy, Apr 13, 2018
    #1
  2. LD Boxer-Puncher

    LD Boxer-Puncher Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Nowhere near as highly as Joe Calzaghe in my opinion
     
    LD Boxer-Puncher, Apr 13, 2018
    LD Boxer-Puncher, Apr 13, 2018
    #2
  3. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don't think either were great and while Calzaghe had the numbers in terms of his career record, I think Froch had the better tougher resume. In a h2h, hard to split. Maybe a close decision win for Calzaghe.
     
    JackSilver, Apr 13, 2018
    JackSilver, Apr 13, 2018
    #3
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  4. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    My thinking now is that whilst I liked Foch a whole lot more and I think he was more willing to fight tougher opposition, Calzaghe is the better talent and the greater fighter.

    Maybe if they fought Froch would have surprised everyone but imo now Calzaghe would have won wide on points.
     
    lufcrazy, Apr 16, 2018
    lufcrazy, Apr 16, 2018
    #4
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  5. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I wonder what Kessler would say.
     
    Clinton, Apr 16, 2018
    Clinton, Apr 16, 2018
    #5
  6. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    My personal opinion gives the edge to JC. A case can be made for Calzaghe being the greatest 168 pounder ever. I don't believe the same could be said for Froch.
     
    Clinton, Apr 16, 2018
    Clinton, Apr 16, 2018
    #6
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  7. manbearpig

    manbearpig A Scottish Noob Full Member

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    I think Joe would have made him look foolish.

    Froch has a very slight edge on strength of opponents faces - he just stands out for the strength being in consecutive fights (to his absolute credit tbf).
     
    manbearpig, Apr 16, 2018
    manbearpig, Apr 16, 2018
    #7
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  8. boranbkk

    boranbkk "ไม่ได้โม้นะ" Full Member

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    Obviously, JC was the better the "sweet science" boxer but I think he was also the better "fighter" JC could mix it, which sounds funny to me when talking about the warrior Cobra. There is an argument both ways here. Most probably JC makes Froch look clumsy and awkward on his way to a UD, but there is the argument that the ever underrated Froch pushes him all the way to a close points victory for JC. Either way I got JC winning.
     
    boranbkk, Apr 16, 2018
    boranbkk, Apr 16, 2018
    #8
  9. The Senator

    The Senator Active Member Full Member

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    About my thoughts, exactly. I liked Froch a good deal more and I liked his career more. (as a Hopkins fan, I admit I have a blind spot here.) Calzaghe was the better fighter of the two, much as I hate to admit it.
     
    The Senator, Apr 16, 2018
    The Senator, Apr 16, 2018
    #9
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  10. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Very slight edge? He fought much tougher competition than Calzaghe.
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 16, 2018
    SuzieQ49, Apr 16, 2018
    #10
  11. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    This is my thinking on the matter.
     
    janitor, Apr 16, 2018
    janitor, Apr 16, 2018
    #11
  12. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    Yeah that's a very valid point.
     
    lufcrazy, Apr 16, 2018
    lufcrazy, Apr 16, 2018
    #12
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  13. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    I've no doubt Froch performs better against some h2h, there's no way JC blitzes Bute like Froch did but then again JC probably has a much easier time with Johnson and Durrell.
     
    lufcrazy, Apr 16, 2018
    lufcrazy, Apr 16, 2018
    #13
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  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Calzaghe was hard to beat, because he was almost extremely difficult to outpoint, and we have to assume very difficult to stop.

    People don't realize just how bad his hands problems were.

    He couldn't actually close his fist latterly.

    He had to push the fingers into position, then effectively tape it shut!

    I am guessing that is what held him back!
     
    janitor, Apr 16, 2018
    janitor, Apr 16, 2018
    #14
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  15. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    The best thing I can say is, at the point he retired there's no one around his weight class who would have been a favourite to beat him with the bookies.
     
    lufcrazy, Apr 16, 2018
    lufcrazy, Apr 16, 2018
    #15
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