Yes i totally agree, in the modern era he is definitely the 2nd best European. Superb fighter who seemed to have no stand out weakness is what i really liked about Joe.. :good
Ofcourse mate, im not trying to knock Calzaghes achievements. Without doubt the most accomplished 168 fighter to grace this earth, which is some achievement.
A 32 year old Calzaghe wouldn't have faced Ward. He only stepped up in his last couple of fights to cash out against faded names. It's a bit of a shame because Named and Lewis were taking on everybody and building a nice Europe vs. America rivalry.
You are completely out there and flying high on your love for the Welsh. Probably he would lose to somebody had he kept on slapping in the LHWs and he would definitely feel the difference in strength and power at CW, least of all HWT.
Calzaghe in his prime vs Ward? Who would you pick. The first 6 rounds will be up for grabs, but Joe would figure him out and his ATG stamina would kick in and take him a UD on the cards 116-112 something like that. I just dont see how Ward would beat calzaghe, even though he is an excellent technician.
Considering that Slappy never fought anybody comparable to Ward, this is a pure guess, but I think Ward wins a close decision. He has the ability to adapt to any style, throws straighter punches, and carries enough pop to buzz Froch pretty seriously. Hypothetical matchups involving Slappy are so difficult to predict because of the extremely limited competition he fought.
:rofl What fight were you watching :yikes Froch walked threw everything Ward threw with out blinking, Ward was just too slick. And Ward is similar in a sense to B-Hop with his craftiness.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda... Slapzaghe at HW? :rofl:rofl:rofl Dawson beats the version of Joe who fought RJJ on points. :deal
B-hop was way too old (Zags, too for that matter) to read too much into it. Froch was buzzed a couple of times around the 8th round or so. Nothing major, but enough to keep him honest.
Considering Ward hasn't fought someone like Calzaghe either, it is interesting. However, Froch walked through Ward's shots for 12 rounds, and in the last 3 rounds, Ward slowed down considerably. Joe would apply relentless pressure, with far better defence, Froch looked so tight, he couldn't let his hands go at all. Joe would throw a higher volume of punches than Ward has faced before, consistently for 12 rounds. Froch allowed Ward to dictate the pace of the fight, and still Ward tired out. Joe would make him fight a relentless pace, every minute of every round and would wear Andre down, en route to Joe winning a UD. Though Ward has those headbutts he used so effectively against Kessler, proving he too can 'find a way to win'. However, if the fight's not in jOakland, headbutting wouldn't be an option.
Hopkins wasn't faded, how could he be faded when Calzaghe is between arguably 2 of his best wins? Also, Calzaghe wouldn't fight Ward aged 32 yet tried to get Hopkins aged 31 in 2003 only for BHop to double his demands (being offered a career high payday), where's the logic Jeff?