...would his resume have been as good as, better than, or worse than that of... Sven Ottke?? ******this thread is NOT NOT NOT talking about ability, everyone with eyes and a brain KNOWS Calzaghe had more talent in his ear lobe than Ottke has in his whole dull grey body, and this thread is NOT NOT NOT about discussing the controversy of Ottke's results, and it is NOT NOT NOT about comparing the performances of Ottke and Calzaghe****** It is about comparing THE MEN they fought against in their championship careers '97-'06. Whose was better? I am a big Calzaghe fan, but my friend said to me today that pre-Lacy, Ottke's resume was better than Joe's, so I just thought I'd put it out there, since it seems to be Calzaghe season here on ESB!! Ottke - Championship reign from October 1998 til March 2004 (5 1/2 years) - 22 successful defences Best names: Charles Brewer (twice) Glen Johnson - best Silvio Branco Anthony Mundine Thomas Tate (twice) Byron Mitchell Robin Reid Calzaghe - Championship reign from October 1997 til September 2005 (7+ years) - 18 successful defences Best names: Chris Eubank - best Robin Reid Richie Woodhall Charles Brewer Byron Mitchell Mario Veit/Kabary Salem/Omar Sheika Obviously Joe's resume is better now, but for those 9 years, which do you think is the better list?? Help us settle this argument!
Well if Ottke had actually beaten all the guys you list their might be a case to argue. For the record the Johnson win at the time was nothing special (it is only in hindsight that his reputation has grown) yet you rate it as his best win. Joe beat Sheika coming off a win a over Glen and its and also ran.. how does that work?
on paper they are very similar. However, due to some dubious decisions and dodgy refs, ottke's resume has to be taken with a pinch of salt. only in germany is he considered amongst the greatest. Joe clearly beat his oponents via, TKO's or clear decisions (other than reid which he just won). major difference is that joe went to the USA and i believe will be inducted into the HOF. Ottke will remain in german folklaw for decades to come! lol.
Calzaghe would have forever been called for ducking.....but since he won, the guys who he beats are called bums/overrated, etc...it wil nevr end regardless :-(
Their resumes and overall careers were very similar before Lacy. That fight showed to the world just how talented Calzaghe is, and that he was a lot more than just some WBO beltholder. Also, Calzaghe has said before that the demolition of Lacy gave him a lot of confidence, so without this win he may never have fought Kessler, and without the recognition he got from the win, he would never have fought Hopkins and now Jones. The most important thing however, is that Calzaghe unified to belts and wiped the floor with a man some felt would become the king of the division, it was for the true Supermiddleweight crown. Calzaghe became the undisputed king at 168lbs, not just a beltholder. The same is not true for Ottke.
