the black murderers row today.....

I said most of the time. I can't watch the youtube here, I'll need to get home and find the dvd with that fight. The supposed "punching" in the clinches was a lot of hitting to the back of the head. Also the referee of that fight was criticized in the press for breaking them apart too soon, not allowing Smith to use his weight advantage in the clinches, and he deducted a lot of points from Smith too, although it didn't look that dirty to me.

 

I had the chance to review the Burley/Smith fight and Calzaghe/Hopkins yesterday, and I can see the point that SH and McGrain are making. Calzaghe would definitely experience the same trouble he had with Hopkins, when facing the style of Burley. It would be a similar fight (IMO)

As PP said, Burley would be more active, (especially with the right hand), than Hopkins was and I agree. But Calzaghe would still be the aggressor, and push the fight. His overall effectiveness would be blunted, due to Burley's stylebut he would press the fight through out. Calzaghe would attempt to get in close/ mid range and stay there, and Burley operates best at distance.

Calzaghe would be the more active fighter and the size differential would have some effect, but Burley would score the cleaner blows (and harder). A decision either way would be possible. In a fight that would very much resemble Calzaghe/Hopkins.

A difficult call in my opinion, after further review.