Calzaghe, Calzaghe and Calzaghe, every fcking time dont know why the repetition, just what my mind did when i saw the thread haha
Calzaghe wide UD. Ward is a superb fighter with excellent read of conventional and pattern fighters, but Joe is neither, he's completely out of the box. He's the only fighter I can name who managed to maintain the high output even vs. fighters that successfully take output out of the equation. The only time you saw Bernard Hopkins gasping for air was vs. Joe, and it was the only time BHop failed to win any of the championship rounds, cause by then Calzaghe took away the counter right, the short left and Hopkins' timing. It's an even fight until midway point, then it's all Calzaghe. 117-111.
very tough fight for both men. In terms of h2h I think these are 1&2 in the division. When Joe fought awkward stylists he did struggle despite always managing to win. Ward hasn't really struggled yet in his career. I tentatively go for ward taking a UD of the 7-5 type regions. There are gonna be rounds when Joe wins through activity and workrate but I think ward will land the better shots, be the ring general and will show a better defence.
I pick Joe by close decision. But if Ward fights on and would get two more years experience, he might edge Joe.
I don't really like Calzaghe that much but I give credit when it's due. The guy was untested for a large portion of his career and when he stepped it up he was pretty old and looked spectacular. Andre ward is looking spectacular in his last fight and he is probably going to develop a little bit more as a fighter before he reaches his true prime. For me it's a even matchup but I tend to favour Ward by jsut abit.
On top of whats been said, Calzaghe always had an answer. It took him a while to figure out Kessler, but once he did, he completely dominated the Great Dane. And that was back when Kessler was a monster. Took him a while to figure out how to beat Hopkins, but once he did, he had 'Nard literally on all fours balling his eyes out
Before Joe and after Joe, Roy Jones was getting knocked out by C-levelers...Yet it was Roy who floored Calzaghe in their fight. Records are imperative and he's hasn't the record to suggest he beats a guy like Ward.
joe 116-112. his workrate would be just far too much, add to that he adapts better than ward, i struggle seeing ward winning more than a round in the last 4
Spot on, I can't get over how terrible looked Ward holding and hugging Froch like he was his wife in the last 3 rounds, he had nothing left, and in a 15 round old school fight I think Froch could well have won. Now if Ward struggled with the pace Froch set, just imagine how he'd feel after 6 rounds against prime Calzaghe! Calzaghe by 8-4 UD, in an ugly horrible snoozefest (just like any Ward fight)