Name 3 fighters who you feel CAN beat Joe Calzaghe.

Lots of guys could but would they ? We would need these guys to fight JC to know for sure and with JC's career being almost done, it's impossible to make all of those fights.

 

Most wouldn't go to the British islands in the first place and with JC's air-travel phobia, it's impossible to make any of those fights.

 

I know Hopkins can beat him because he specifically called him out. And you know what that means. The Executioner already has a game plan that is going to work to a tee.

 

I'd give much better than even odds for present-day Dawson, prime Jones, prime Toney, prime Benn, prime McClellan, the list goes on. I'd give better than a 20% chance (i.e. CAN win) for current Kessler, Woods, Pavlik, Solimon (a stylistic nightmare for Calzaghe) and maybe Bute.

 

Pure curiosity - what weight would he fight mayweather at?

 

The guy with the most tools for the job is fighting him in 3 weeks.Apart from him only Hopkins could beat him.Pavlik,Taylor and Dawson just havn't got the experience to beat Calzaghe right now I feel,maybe in the future.Forget about Winky he isn't anywhere near big enough that would be a mismatch

 

I'd be interested in a fight with Bute. I was really impressed with how he finished against Bika and, both being southpaws, if Joe slows down, a younger man may match him.

 

Lol to the guy that said pascal, how would he beat calzaghe, miracle isn't a legit way of winning.

 

Sticking to fighters who have had at least some overlap with Calzaghe, I'd say the only guy who has an easy time with him is prime Jones. He is the worst possible matchup for Joe, because he is the same style of fighter but much better at it. Jones would take 9 out of 10, at least.

Beyond that, we're talking about close margins the rest of the way. I'd favor prime Hopkins over Calzaghe, based on Hopkins' intelligence, counterpunching, and defense. Remember, Hopkins also took four clean rounds from Jones, the superior version of Calzaghe. He was not overwhelmed by Roy's handspeed or angles, just gunshy because of the same. Against Calzaghe he'd have more offense, and especially as he expanded his skillset.

I'd favor Calzaghe over Toney. Bad matchup for James. And McClellan's defense was terrible; he'd have a puncher's chance but probably would get outboxed decisively.

Today, the only person I'd favor over Calzaghe is Chad Dawson, and I'd make it a 65-35 fight in Chad's favor at 175. He poses some of the same issues for Joe -- who is older now -- as Jones would, and he's also bigger. Chad has the speed and reflexes to match Joe, and he has superior power and reach at 175. Plus, he throws straighter shots and, punch for punch, has a right hand that he'd use to bank rounds.

None of this is to disrespect Calzaghe, who I firmly believe is the real deal and should be ranked No. 1 all-time at 168 based on his longevity.

 

At middle and super middle:

Pavlik - 20% chance right now. He's only 25 though - give him 10 years to get the experience that Calzaghe has.
Kessler - 40% chance
Taylor - 10% chance
Froch - 5% chance
Everyone else - < 2% chance

 

1. Mikkel Kessler
2. Chad Dawson
3. Himself

But RJJ many years ago would have had his number.

 

They're not unproven, there's a big difference between a lack of exposure and being unproven. On another note he also left out Braehmer and Pascal who deserve a mention at the weight, Mirandas' also moved up to super middle. I also wonder if Spinks and Ouma will stay at middle or go back down to light middle.

 

All time I would favour:

175--Roy Jones, Dariusz Michalczewski, Michael Moorer, Bob Foster, Michael Spinks, James Toney, Virgil Hill...

168--Roy Jones, James Toney

160--Roy Jones, Mike McCallum, Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins, Carlos Monzon...

Today I would favour:

175--Chad Dawson

168--Mikkel Kessler

160--nobody from the current crop

 

Winky Wright, Jermain Taylor, Bernard Hopkins

 

Michael Nunn at 160 would be a 50/50 fight as well, imo. Nunn gets vastly underrated.