Objective boxing fans: Do you see Greatness in Joe Calzaghe?

fights of past prime fighters is not the same as when they are prime. a lot of fans just value the name without considering the time they fought. even if the skill is there but the resolve, speed, strength, stamina, timing and reflexes are all reduced. wins should be evaluated properly especially with fast boxers who rely too much on their defense and speed to just score points to win. referees and judges really mold boxing into what it has come to be. if it does not end in a knock out, the outcome of the fight will be at their mercy. a lot of boxers with their promoters now are dictating what happens in boxing instead of the commission.

 

He was a great fighter, and he was in a tough predicament. But he could have done more to land the bigger names. It feels like this has been discussed a thousand times already. But my opinion will never change. He could have tried to fight in the U.S. much sooner, as well as moving up to LHW sooner, which was a better division than SMW was for the majority of his time there.

Hopkins aside, who did he really try and fight? He seemed more than happy to keep defending the WBO at SMW. Now that was of course his preragotive, but it really cost him bigger fight opportunities. Like you've said, who was really interested in fighting a fast southpaw, who was relatively unknown? He brought nothing to the table for a guy like Roy. He needed to raise his profile in the U.S. and he needed to fight at LHW, where he could have impressed and moved up the rankings. He may have found himself as a mandatory to the likes of Roy etc.

Ricky Hatton defended the WBU title, then 3 years later, he was fighting Floyd and Manny. Sometimes you have to take a few risks. Joe had the looks, the heritage, and the style to have impressed the U.S. in the late 90's-early 00's.

 

:good

 

but equally a loss would have ruined his unbeaten run, whicih is most of his legacy.

 

Had he stepped across to the U.S. earlier, he had the potential to be far greater. Joe would've matched well vs. a lot of guys (prime Roy would've beat him imho) but Joe is still legit #1 or #2 SMW ever. That counts for something.

 

:good

 

:good

 

I honestly don't.. I thought I did, until a green Ward almost eclipsed slappy Joe's entire career without even trying.

After that, I couldn't take Slappy Joe's career seriously. He's certainly the greatest SMW of all time though.. although that really isn't saying much.