Vitaly sure as **** didn't become a greater fighter than Joe Calzaghe is by getting beaten to a pulp by Lennox Lewis. Bearing that in mind anyone claiming that Vitaly is somehow greater than Joe must be thinking of the thirteen fights that Vitaly had post LL..... 13 fights and he's a greater fighter than Joe Calzaghe himself???? Must have been really really good opponents.
joe cal and vitali are similar in that both have limited skills, and get shown up against world class fighters. both also prefer to fight lots of weaklings. but cal is smart he knows to wait till top guys are 40something, vitali wasn't like that. calzaghe has the edge in overall ability.
vitali never waited till legends wre ageing to 40something before coming out of hiding. he fougt them when they were still very very decent. vitali >> cowardzaghe
I like both of them a lot, but I'd have to go with Joe. Calzaghe has the better record, better quality of opposition and more impactful in his division and in p4p rankings. I think a better question would be is Wlad vs. Joe. I'd pick Joe, but a few more fights Wlad will probably take it.
Look, here is the irrefutable evidence, based on what happen in the ring: Joe Calzaghe beat Bernard Hopkins who beat Tavoris Cloud who beat Yusaf Mackwho beat Chris Henry who beat Shaun George who beat Chris Byrd who beat Vitali Klitschko MODS! Please close this thread. We have our answer.
Calzaghe was an overrated british slapper who lost to Reid and Hopkins, got dozens of favorable stoppages and fought weak opposition. Vitali had a lot more *****. Vitali no question.
Calzaghe by virtue of compiling the better resume, but both are highly overrated in that regard and even more highly overrated in a "H2H" discussion for both of their relative divisions.