If Calzaghe was American.....

He barely even "beat" him when Hops was in his 40s

A younger B-Hops would of kick Calslappys overrated ass.

 

Its true that if Calzaghe was American and had the same undefeated record, his whiteness and Italianness would make him a superstar. Even with the total lack of a personality and coming across as a dweeb (see the embarrasingly bad showboating against RJJs ghost)

However, as people have said, he wouldnt be undefeated. Not against that standard of US opposition at that time.

 

Right on point.

 

There is some truth to this - Jones fought a billion nobodies and no one complained, cos the LHW division wasn't that strong. But when Joe did it everyone said he was overrated.

Look at how Americans talk about Mcclellan even though he hardly beat anybody.

 

And you prove you know nothing about the US perspective on professional boxing. There aren't three average sport fans in the entire country that would have a clue about the identity of Gerald McClellan. You confuse comments on a boxing internet board with the opinions of the majority of American sport fans. Here's another stunning bit of news - literally no one here would have a clue - then or now - about who Jeff Lacy is either.

Professional boxing's popular success is in direct relation to the viewpoint and interests of America's youth. When the youth of the country are all aspiring to play in the NFL or NBA or even MLB - then boxing is a fringe or niche sport. It has long been declining. Kids know their favorite NBA and NFL stars. Incredible numbers of kids even know an abundance of collegiate athletes by name. Our universities and collegiate system are a virtual minor league for the big three sports. The scholarships and subsidy offered to talented youth represent the ultimate life changing prize for many. The opportunity to receive an education from a major university is something the parent's of these kids could often never provide - in two or three lifetimes. Thus, these sport endeavors are supported and encouraged. For generations, no one has been sending their kids out to become boxers - the sport has been in decline, fewer boxing gyms exist, and the sport coverage is periodic not regular for these very reasons.

The obvious and undeniable difference in a Roy Jones Jr. is that he had exceptional athleticism. Even as boxing gradually declined - with less and less participation and thus, weaker and weaker competition - it was evident that Roy possessed the kind of athletic gifts that impress - great speed, extreme quickness, subtle maneuverability, timing, a deftness of movement. He wasn't a particularly powerful man in a sport in which sometimes that is more distinctly important than any other attribute or characteristic. Roy showed aspects that reminded one of Ali or Leonard - the prior extreme talents.

With Roy's frame he could have remained at 168 and never lost a fight - considering how pathetic that division ended up being. Instead, he moved up to fight larger men - making more money - and was impressive in his ability to hit and avoid taking any punishment. What more needs to be said? Would you have rather seen him stay at 168 and go 100-0 or fight bigger men with at least the possibility of someone hurting him if they could land a good punch?

He even did the unimaginable and went to heavyweight for a title fight. Joe had to have his hand held to not pull out of the Lacy fight. But good post ...

 

If Calzaghe was American, he would now be regarded as an absolute joke.

The only reason people find his WBO title reign from '97-'06 acceptable is because he was fighting at home in Wales. Are you seriously trying to tell me that boxing fans worldwide would have found it acceptable for him to fight that shocking calibre of opposition for nine years solid in Las Vegas? Nonsense. If he was American, he would now be regarded as one of the biggest cherrypickers and career-strategists in history.

 

He'd be a laughing stock.

He hardly beat Hopkins...and Lacy was NEVER an elite fighter...neither was Joe:deal

 

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Floyd is American and 10x's the fighter joe is....and look what people say about him:deal

 

You aren't sure of anything.

Joe didn't land any punches when he fought an old Hopkins.

 

The questions is, would his fans be as whinny and annoying?

 

He didn't achieve much at all.

 

Barely beat him because Hopkins made it so scrappy.

 

according to some Calzaghe was prime

 

The bit that makes me laugh is the Hopkins fight.

Calzaghe beat Hopkins - ''Oh Calzaghe beat a washed up old man, he won the fight but it means nothing''

Pavlik gets schooled by B-Hop ''B-Hop beat Calzaghe''.

After the fight, 80% of people scored the fight for Calzaghe, there's a poll on here.

Now, 80% scored it for B-Hop.

 

a younger joe c fighting a younger b-hop would of been interesting as calzaghe wasn't affraid of breaking his hand. he had a good KO % untill then. he also had great speed and great work rate. joe c wins b-hop at any level.