How does Joe Calzaghe do facing the top SMW and LHW of the generation that came after he retired. GGG Canelo Ward Kovalev Bivol Beterbiev I contend that Calzaghe got lucky being in a weak era facing only European challengers. He retired just on time before the next gen of fighters could beat him. IMO, I have Calzaghe as a healthy underdog vs all 6 fighters. He gets KO's by GGG and Beterbiev. Ward and Kovalev are close fights
Beats GGG and Canelo comfortably, and his work rate might allow him to get a close decision over Ward and Bivol At LHW he was knocked down by shot Jones and old Hopkins, so think hard punchers like Kovalev and Beterbiev both KO him
Calzaghe's durability is similar to Tito Trinidad. He could be shaken and was knocked down multiple times, but had great recovery powers and I don't believe He was ever in serious trouble. Calzaghe's resume is also not as bad as it's made out to be. He had a lot of pretty awful title defences, but here and there - He'd get a solid, respectable contender. Eubank was past his prime, but He proved later on vs Carl Thompson that He wasn't yet finished. Charles Brewer, Robin Reid, Richie Woodhall, Sakio Bika were good, worl level fighters and obviously He also beat Kessler, who was second best Super Middleweight of the 2000s. I'm not sure how well He'd fit into Light Heavyweight, a bit hard to assess him there as He only fought 2 veterans, neither a puncher at that point. I think Betterbiev's size and power could be a bit much, but I think in his prime He'd probably do well against Bivol - who's similar fighter to Kessler and while Dmitry is maybe my favorite current fighter, it's still a bit early to say that He's better than Mikkel.... I think Joe could compete with Kovalev too. I believe Ward was better than Calzaghe, but still - Calzaghe was better fighter than all of Andre's 168 opponents, so I think He'd give it a decent go. I think his speed and inside fighting could allow him to score on Ward more effectively than most. I'd make Calzaghe the favorite over Canelo and Golovkin. As a bigger men, He'd be difficult for those guys. Just my opinion.
Calzaghe would handle GGG and Canelo. Size, speed and skill is all in favor of Zaghe here. Ward vs Calzaghe would be a horrible, close & grinding matchup. I think Ward beats him, but it would likely be the type of fight that demands a dreadful rematch. Bivol would likely also fall to Calzaghe by 9-3 or 8-4 type decision. Kovavel & Beterbiev are interesting, I think Calzaghe would be competetive but ultimately lose.
I think Beterbiev is a bad matchup for Calzaghe. Beterbiev's power would have Calzaghe backing up all day.
