Joe Calzaghe in retrospect

Calzaghe was an effective puncher. A volume puncher. many call it pitty patter but, he had some power. He just didn't have the quality punching of guys like Hopkins or Jones.

He got knocked down by both Hopkins and Jones. The Jones KD hurt him badly and I think that's the reason why he retired, though no one wants to admit it, they are too busy claiming Jones was or is shot.

His decision over Jones was just as if not more impressive then the win over Hopkins. Jones was faded, but he was still game against Calzaghe. Jones was doing well against Calzaghe in the early rounds, until he was cut badly, which changed the fight.

 

You hit the nail on the head about "quality of punching". That's why I can't rate Joe with the very best fighters like Hagler, Leonard or Foster; his punches weren't as well delivered. He was a level below the very top fighters, in my opinion.

 

Strange as it may sound but I think you can sum Joe up in one statement:

"We'll never know how bad or good he was."

He never had what I'd call a full blown marquee fight that could truly define him. There always seems to be a tad of doubt about his best wins. Hopkins was far from his best. Lacey was never as good as he was touted. And Jones was a shell of himself.

He was damn good fighter no doubt. Just how good? I don't think his undefeated record matches up to some other fighters with some losses on their's.

 

His win over Kessler was a great win. Clearly beat the #2 guy. The Lacy win was great at the time, but Lacy was ruined by Joe.

The Hopkins fight was a good win. Sure Hopkins was 43. Are we going to erase what he did after? He went on to beat Pascal, Pavlik, Cloud and before facing Joe he was coming off wins over Tarver and Wright.

 

Why are there endless threads on here about Joe? I say since he has been retired for sometime now how should be in the classic section.

 

One of the greatest fighters I have ever seen in my life time.

 

Calzaghe was an ATG and thats all there is to this topic.

IF Hopkins would have stood and fought he would have got worn down and KO'ed but Hopkins tried to steal the fight and still got beat.

Hopkins is an ATG and so is Calzaghe.

When was Hopkins prime? when he was beating WW's? or Robert Allen or Joe Lipsey?
No it was when he stepped up and fought bigger fighters. Calzaghe is the thorn in the flesh to a ton of yanks and I find it funny as hell.

Bottom line? Calzaghe would have beat eveyone Hopkins fought and beat.

 

the issue was never settled sort of like the first Pascal vs Hopkins fight which got closure afer the rematch. Calzaghe took off and didn't rematch a guy many felt he didn't beat in a razor close fight that probably was a draw.

 

how can you ruin something that never really was?

its not exactly Tito vs Vargas

 

it was a great win back then. nothing has changed. even if Bernard didn't win the fights he has after the Calzaghe fight.

Bernard was the Lightheavy champ for ****s sake. he was also P4P one of the best. an ATG win. :deal

people are just bitter. :deal

 

i have no problem with your post apart from the "the Jones KD hurt him bad" part. yeah, he knocked him down, but he didn't hurt him bad. he got straight back up and went to work.

 

Calzaghe is a better fighter than Hagler. care to give this amazing resume that Hagler has?

Leonard is a weak ATG if ever i saw one. dominted by Hearns until he tired and he jumped on it. he lost the rematch on my card.

lost to Duran, then ran in the rematch. it was a pathetic performance by "sugar"

he ran most of the time in the Hagler fight only doing something in the last 30 seconds.

what has Leonard done in his career apart from this?

 

not Joe's fault that Jones and Hopkins refused to fight him in their prime. nothing else he could do.

he was a great fighter. one of the best i've ever seen.