Not much has been mentioned of this quote by Jones after the fight. And it's a similar quote from most of Calzaghe's opponents which go in tandom with that confused look on their faces in between rounds. What do you think it is in his makeup that makes it so difficult for opponents that they can't find the right strategy to beat him?
He gives different angles ,his workrate,the pace he sets,and his speed....Also when you hit him he hits you back twice
It's sheer workrate, volume, activity, energy, fitness, stamina, etc etc. He doesn't do anything particularly unorthodox or clever or special in the ring. Never was this more in evidence than the Hopkins fight. However, he does seem to be able to adapt well and change tactics. Perhaps that's it, people get thrown by the variety.
No wonder Roy couldn't work him out, he couldn't even hit him when Joe stuck his face in front of him to hit.
I think it's because he stings with his punches more than people realise and that instead of being clubbing blows, they rip and tear at the skin and distract/disorientate the other fighter. Death by a thousand stinging paper cuts, basically. He usually has the advantage in footwork, angles, speed, endurance and defense, when he's not sticking his chin out. The other thing many people never mention about Calzaghe is how good a counter puncher he is, they seem to think he's restricted only to flurrying. Usually he temptss the other fighter to take a swing, makes him miss and then makes him pay, following it up with a flurry.. He's also underrated for the work he puts in to tire his opponent out. Every single fight he has that goes the distance, the other fighter looks absolutely worn out and he usually takes the last 6 rounds without question in each of his fights... this again is because of the work he does to the body and the fact that he makes you regret trying to hit him.
You could tell Jones was not in the fight wehn he did that Old Holms thing of sticking his paw in Ca'ls face like Holms did to tyson and then retreated, Jone's did not try to do anything. That was not I'm being cute Jones. That was I got to keep him off of me...and that was dead early. He did it a number of times... The nerve wasn't there.
Nothing was there. He's been a shot fighter for years. At least use more relevant examples where Calzaghe's fighting someone who's near his prime and can keep up a decent pace. The Kessler fight would be the best example.
hopkins himself said calzaghes constant workrate gives fighters problems, and calzaghe says after about 3 or 4 rounds he usually can read his opponent and what they are going to throw and gets the timing on defense.
i think its a couple of things that make him stand out. 1 - his adaptability, his ability to change during a fight depending on his opponents strengths. he can fight going forward and going backwards, he can lead, and he can counter. 2 - the other thing is obviously his stamina. he forces fighters to fight at a pace they are not comfortable with, and as a result they are blowing out of there ass by the 7th or 8th round, and that is when joe takes the fight over.
