A year after Hagler Leonard stopped Lalonde at Super Middle. Lalonde was limited, but decent enough. I doubt Calzaghe could stop Lalonde.
Average fighters lose to other average fighters. Exceptional fighters beat every average fighter they ever meet and that's what Joe did. Just because he doesn't have the media - hyped superstars on his resume doesn't take away from the fact that being consistent for over a decade is exceptional, whatever the level of opposition. SRL was the greater fighter, yes. But he was at his best at 147, the win over Hagler was a great "stealing" of a fight but has much to do with Haglers entitlement issues/that he believed he would win anyway and threw away the early rounds. Joe never threw a round in his career, he would throw punches the entire fight like he always did, is much taller and bigger than SRL, can take a very good punch. I don't see SRL winning this one.
joe is just so underrated, calzaghe was a great not as great as SRL but still great and is far too big for Sugar, calzaghe UD or late TKO
people calling him an average fighter in this thread, disgraceful. the boxing writers association of AMERICA voted him the third greatest fighter of the 2000s, ahead of guys like Hopkins, the Klits, JMM, Cotto, MAB, Mosley, Winky...you'd think their opinion carries a little bit more weight than that of a typical esb hater.
Well a year and 7 months close enough.. But i did see a decline in skills between Hagler and Lalonde... He was had great handspeed but didnt have the legs and therefore was vulnerable to getting tagged more, he was also more prone do going down at this point in his career... I agree Calzaghe wouldnt stop Lalonde but he would win convincingly... Styles make fights the reason Leonard stopped Lalonde is cause he got pissed and just felt it was time to turn it on(One of Leonards best traits).. Also i think he was sensing fatigueness from the drained Lalonde... Leonard was a great finisher had great killer insticnt.
The ones on that poll are ******s:barf No way was Calzaghe the best 3rd fighter of the 2000s. He went undefeated and was a top 5 pfp guy for a little but, he didnt fight the competition those guys did^^^ (better comp than Klitchko though). Believe me he would have came out with at least a couple losses if he did.
Agreed. For a guy like JC to do what he did in his career with fragile hands his record is remarkable and anyone who says otherwise is either a hater or knows sweet FA about boxing.
Calzaghe would THRASH leonard to within an inch of his life:deal Why do you think leonard only fought his old men rivals of the fab 4 or a C level weight wrecked titlist like Lalonde because he could'nt compete with youth + the fact he never could cut it above 147, Kevin Howard showed the world that & thats why Leonard QUIT again in 84. Joe Calzaghe would dismantle Leonard, he'd be a punch bag & it would be Terry Norris x 10. How anyone here can think that an old slow leonard has a chance against the likes of Calzaghe is astounding. Why do you think Leonard would'nt go anywhere near Michael NUNN:hey SPEED SPEED SPEED & Leonard had none to compete with the younger elite fighters. Hagler/Hearns/Duran were marque $$$$$$ names, seniors tour & good bizzness thats why he fought them again & at his catchweight terms but to put Leonard in with the likes of Calzaghe you'd have the "Ban Boxing Brigade" walking around with hard on's:yep Leonard gets LACY'D:deal
Not handling his power ?Thats ridiculous despite him being bigger than Leonard even with the size advantage he didnt harder than Hearns,Lalonde or even the smaller Hagler. He took their shots so i cant see Joes power bothering him too much... Skill wise JC doesnt bring anything to the table Ray hasnt already seen... Size would make a difference though since Ray didnt have the same legs he once had. Ko within 6? Thats just:nut
Im Welsh, a huge Calzaghe fan and I've been to many of hit fights Sugar Ray Leonard wipes the floor with Joe, easiest vote I've ever cast Whoever cast for Joe is an idiot Sugar Ray is one of the greatest of all time, Joe is not / thread
You must be talking about me! 'Average' was a bit harsh. I don't hate Joe, I rate him; however I rate SRL far more, even at Super Middle. I'm not saying Leonard would hammer Calzaghe, it would be competetive. However a guy like Sugar Ray would always find a way to outwork him and he'd eke out a decision much like against Hagler. The Leonard who fought Lalonde out points Calzaghe every time.
Tell us all on here HOW:hey Give us a technical breakdown!:bbb Hightlight Leonards advantages over Joe at SM:smoke
Leonard was a welterweight. He never looked particularly good at this weight. He also struggled with speed and was susceptible to being hurt at the higher weights. We are looking at a very big UD if not a late stoppage.