my thoughts on joe calzaghe

Thats fair enough, he doesnt get much love on here at all.

 

Many Americans fans view Calzaghe fights as tough on the eyes. I couldn't see anyone but the most hardcore boxing fan buying a PPV with him on Main Event. The Jones fight only because Jones is a Legend here. If the Hopkins fight had been on PPV, the numbers wouldn't have beaten out Blind Justice a few years back.

 

A fair assessment in my opinion! I think Joe had a decent career, but somewhat cheapened it due to not having a few more big wins. His style made him incredibly hard to beat. Anyone who wanted to open up and trade with him gets out slapped to a decision. Whether he hurts you or not, winning rounds in the face of such a huge output is very difficult.

I think 3 more good wins would have convinced all the doubters: Glen Johnson back in the day when that fight came up, Pavlik before B-Hop got to him (Can't see Calzaghe losing to Kelly at 168) , and either Dawson or a rematch with B-Hop.

 

Floyd is still fighting and building his resume. When he actually retires he will have many big names on his CV.

 

Great point

 

Joe was a very good fighter. But again, as we see with the Klitschkos, he did not have a style that was in any way attractive to the American fans. We Americans are an impatient people. We desperately, almost childishly crave action, movement, attention. That is why sports like soccer would never and could never be popular in the States. They require too much patience.

In boxing, we like knockouts, plain and simple. That is why Tyson is and always will be one of the most popular boxers ever in America.

 

As for Joe, he's not a boring fighter, but he certainly isn't an exciting one, unless you're a fan. Personally, I like both Klitschko brother and I like Joe and Floyd....fighters most fans think are boring. Then again I did some boxing myself and I like to think that I can appreciate real talent when I see it.

 

I only started watching boxing again aroun the start of 2008. The only fights that I have seen of Calzaghes were the RJJ fight and the Hopkins one. I think that RJJ has declined greatly from his peak, but, I still thought Calzaghe beat him so soundly that I was still impressed. To outbox Hopkins is no small feat, but Jermain Taylor did it twice. I won't know for sure what to think of Kessler untill after the Smw tourney. I don't think to much of Jeff Lacy.

As far of his compatition back in Europe, How good were those fighters?

Here are their names:

Manfredo Jr.
Sakio Bika
Evans Ashira
Mario Veit
Kabary Salem
Byron Mitchel
Tocker Pudwill
Miguel Jimenez
Charles Brewer

I feel that Joe Calzaghe was/is a great boxer. There are more knowledgable people than me here. I ask them, how good are/were those fighters? I'm not hating on Joe C. That is a reasonable question.

 

I always found Calzaghe an exciting champion, aggressive and fearless and with some skills, his fights with bHop and Jones were a bit crap (but at least half was Bhops fault) but his fight against Lacy was just a perfect display of power boxing as I could wish to see. He didnt used to slap so much, I think it was his bad hands, he did have good power a few years ago, I dont think it was just the step up in class , he could KO guys.
Byron Mitchell was an exciting fight, Eubank was a good fight, Mario Veit sucked but they were 2 excellent beatdowns of an over-protected german bum. No wonder Sven Ottke ran a mile

 

Calzaghe has a good resume in terms of being a great champion beating a lot of the top contenders in his division he reigned over. The very best wins on his record are ones that those who want to 'take' from his legacy can put a taint on. And justifiably so if we're honest.

In terms of how good he was, i think he was a fantastic fighter, very great for sure.