I bet Froch is not happy that Hearn said this!!

Are we really still doing this? Calzaghe was a better boxer than Froch, a better fighter than Froch and his resume was better. Smash up Carl Froch's hands and see how he does. Calzaghe never once found himself chasing a KO to stand any chance of winning a fight because he was far better, different levels entirely.

 

Yeah, he strikes me as a man who isn't get much loving, he comes across as tense, bitter and frustrated.

Maybe he needs to rattle his headboard a little more and then he wouldn't be such a moby.

 

I'm not sure Calzaghe had the better resume. For me he wasted a lot of his career.

He was a brilliant boxer but after he beat Lacy the decision to have three of his final five fights against an unknown middleweight in Bika, a reality TV show contestant in Manfredo, and the dictionary definition of a shot fighter in Jones was odd to say the least.

 

I think both points are true. Calzaghe has a better resume than Froch, but yes he did waste a lot of his career (in terms of building a legacy).

Calzaghe polarises opinion because there are a lot of valid negatives about him. Some of his opponents were terrible, he meandered aimlessly through several of his prime years, had poor punching technique, was reluctant to travel, and by many accounts was a bit of a twat.

Despite all this, he beat some outstanding fighters, never lost as a pro, and was one of the few genuinely great fighters these shores have produced in recent decades. With his punch output and endless stamina he was a nightmare to fight, and he showed great intangibles when he needed to. He also clearly slapped harder than often given credit for.

He could potentially have achieved more, but he’s clearly the best super middleweight Britain has ever produced.

 

I don't disagree with much of that, if any. But I just think it's a real shame that post Eubank and pre Lacy he spent so many years fighting seriously low quality opponents. Obviously I'm not saying they were all rubbish, but no unifications in what, eight years? It's very poor and was very boring on a frequent basis.

 

I don't think you can pull your face at Calzaghe's post Lacy fights. Lacy was a big one - the so called monster that he humiliated and ruined.

Bika was coming off a dodgy draw vs Beyer - and then went on to win the WBC title and give Ward a tough fight years later, so was a solid first defence.

I agree Manfredo was pants but had some name value after the Mora fights, but that was a bit of **** fight.

Kessler - solid win against a fellow Top 10 all time SMW - in his prime (when it could be argued Joe was just passing his.)

BHOP - I don't buy the robbery rumors - Joe won 7-5 at worst for me (minus a point for the knockdown.) Even still, BHOP then had one of his best ever wins vs unbeaten Pavlik, win 3 more world titles and box for almost another 10 years.

Jones - cash out fight. That said, some people actually picked RJJ to win prior to that one.

 

Yeah, he could and probably should have a deeper resume.

He’s not the only one though from that era. Hopkins’ comp throughout the 90s after he won the title wasn’t really any better. Trinidad treaded water for a few years beating up on fringe contenders. They don’t seem to attract the same level of hate though, and people focus more on what they did achieve rather than their fights with Steve Frank and Ray Lovato. People often pick out Calzaghe’s worst opponents as if that’s more important than his quality wins.

Not putting Calzaghe on the same level as Hopkins and Trinidad career wise, but if Calzaghe can be accused of fannying around he’s not the only one.

 

Hatton was a similar Warren victim of the time though. Relatively popular domestically and a nice little earner who could repeatedly do an arena show three times a year against garbage. At least Ricky got out and started looking for the very best when he had the chance.

Warren's handling of Calzaghe was a disgrace at times. Yes the Kessler and Lacy wins were fantastic but honestly, I don't know why there wasn't more anger at the time. In fairness it's probably because after the Eubank/Benn days boxing became a seriously minority sport in the sense of domestic non-heavyweights and Hamed. But it was the same excuses year after year. 'We want Hopkins. We want Johnson. We want Jones. We want to unify. Joe's the best and the best need to fight him and we're very confident of doing a deal.'

Next fight: Kabery Salem.

 

I bet froch also didn’t like groves “sometimes he doesn’t engage his brain” quote.

Hearn was just doing his usual word twisting to make it appear Carl would have beaten calzaghe. No chance. Froch said himself he would have to “chin” joe, “and would”. as he will be faced with a technically superior fighter with a great chin he is deluded if he thinks that would happen.

He doesn’t accept the ward loss, but the fact is he did lose, he can be beaten. Froch sweeps that under the carpet along with his hardcore fans, and Hearn. Well ward was boring? He still couldnt beat him though could he? He still couldnt prevent himself from being outclassed by this boring fighter either?

Joe would have utterly outboxed and embassrased froch with his speed and movement, terrible matchup for him. I respect the fighter froch was and enjoyed his career even though I detest the man, but he has an inflated opinion on how great he was, when there is actual proof to counter this.

 

Calzaghe sometimes fought only once a year!! And these weren't mega ppv events, these were on Sky Sports 3 failing to sell out Cardiff Ice Rink.

Shocking career pre Lacy when he was late 30s. Just shocking (for his outrageous ability).

 

I think Joe was on the lash and on the kit most of his career, and zombied out on codein and Greggs cakes