In 1 rd. even an english reff couldn't find a way to save Calz. in this 1. Charles in 1 rd, coming off of a three day drunk.:hat
Can I just say I went to see Calzaghe so I'm no hater. I also think his resume is thin and on a good day he may scraw into my top 100. Reason being that he has a lot of good attributes, that to be fair didn't get him far against the best fighter he ever faced, and I personally feel Hopkins now is just as formidable in his peak, for slightly different reasons for approaching a decade ago now. However, Joe is in with a sharper puncher, a better combination puncher, better at mid-range, which negates Calzaghes best attributes, the ability to shift up in pace throughout a fight and change his gameplan. Calzaghe, who despite being a boxer was an aggresive fighter is going to be getting hit by one of the fighters who had amongst the best punching form I've ever seen on film. His resume is filled with names, numerous of which would beat Calzaghe as efficiently as I'm predicting for Charles. Round 5 stoppage, Charles, dictating the pace at centre ring, with Calzaghe probing with his jab, lands a left hook off his own jab and floors Calzaghe. Who tries to get up but can't clear his head and falls back to his knee, counted out and decisively beaten. Calzaghe holds no advantages.
I probably think more of Calzaghe than most here... however, he was a natural 168 and fighting against a natural LHW (who was perhaps the greatest LHW of all time) who moved easily up to HW... no chance
I'd say Calzaghe was a natural light heavy who boiled down to 168; it was no secret that he had difficulties making the weight.
True. Not that it would help him in the end, although his unusual style might at least give him a slight stay of execution before Charles found his rhythm and ended matters.
So far Calzaghe has been up against Qawi, Billy Conn and now Ezzard Charles. Unsurprisingly he has not managed to win a single one or even do that well, but should he continue along this route he'll surely record one of the best resumes of all-time. Edit: Oh, and Charles knocks him out, surely.
One thing that is absolutely true, the longer a fighter is retired, the better he gets. Give Calzaghe a couple decades and he will be mentioned with the best. Personally, I would give him a chance over Conn and Qawi, at his very best.
No, sorry. I'll give him credit where credit is due, but he isn't beating Conn, the man never lost a fight as a light heavy in an era that was stacked with top fighters. And Qawi would be bad for his health, too strong, too savvy and too relentless. And I don't underrate Joe; indeed I think he'd be trouble for a lot of past greats. Just not Qawi or Conn, not enough to beat them anyway.
Fine. I don't have enough passion for him either way. However, it seems half the reason for this site's existence is to tear down Calzaghe. I officially extract myself from the fray.
Not by me he wont. I dont wanna keep bashing him either though, he was a good boxer, over-protected. Threads like this are unfair.