The Respect for Joe Calzaghe Thread

Any fighter that retires 46-0 is obviously a top class boxer but I doubt that many outside of Wales will rate him as an ATG as he slips away into the future and fades from our memories.

The simple fact is that he chose to make his mark by defeating two guys that were a decade past their best, a big mistake in my opinion as he made such a huge impression by defeating the gifted Mikkel Kessler. He may well have won over his most harshest critics had he fought and beaten the undefeated champion Chad Dawson.

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Both Marciano and Calzaghe may have finished their careers undefeated but they will never be rated above those champions that took the big name fights on a consistant basis, even if it meant there was a chance that " the 0 had to go". Another interesting fact is that while Calzaghe held the WBO super middleweight title for more than a decade it wasn't until his 41st bout against Jeff Lacy that he solidified his position at No.1 by unifying the IBF and WBO titles. Likewise, Marciano didn't become the No.1 heavyweight until he won the crown at his 43rd bout, only to retire after six defences over three years before retiring.

Another interesting fact is that Calzaghe retired without giving the dynamic, undefeated Dawson the same opportunity afforded to him by Hopkins and Jones Jr. In fact Calzaghe stayed well away from anyone who held a title, instead defending against handpicked contenders that often built up their over inflated records against moderate opposition. Apart from his win as challenger against Chris Eubank,

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(Lacy and Kessler), which is beyond comprehension when one considers that this undefeated champion only held the WBO super middleweight belt. The WBC, IBF and WBA super middleweight and all light heavyweight champions were nowhere to be seen for near on a decade.

While Marciano's last fight was against the evergreen Archie Moore, who at 39 was already a veteran of 176 fights for 148 wins, Moore came into the fight as the light heavyweight champion who had only lost 2 of his past 56 fight...and one of those was by DQ. After losing to Marciano, Archie Moore franked the form by winning his next 11 bouts before going down to a young Floyd Patterson for the vacant World Heavyweight Title.

Just as Dawson was denied his chance at taking the belt from an undefeated champ, the smart young contender Floyd Patterson, with a record of 24-1 and an olympic gold medal, would have loved a shot at Marciano had the heavyweight king stayed around for a few more fights.

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Should it also be mentioned that both Calzaghe and Marciano were decked early in their last fights before going on to defeat their big name opponent? This may have given both reason to consider giving away the game before the inevitable occured.

Finally both fighters were kept well clear off top class opposition even though they had proved themselves more than capable of taking the next step. The simple fact is that both may have been ranked alongside some of the ATG's had they taken a few more risks yet sadly that will never be so.

Bottom line is that Calzaghe must be content with his career, and why wouldn't he after such an amazing journey. His fans will forever grant him God-like status just as Marciano's supporters rate him as one of the greatest heavyweight champions to have held the crown yet they are in the minority.

Joe Louis will always be rated ahead of Marciano while Hopkins and especially Roy Jones Jr will always be rated above the Pride of Wales...........wherever that is.

 

I didn't read any posts but I'm in on this thread. Respect to Joe C a great fighter.

 

Respect:deal

 

Big respects to JC, amazing career/acheivements/legacy :deal

One of Britains very best, Greatest 168er ever, and one of the best of our era.

Had some truly amazing qualities as a fighter, fantastic heart and stamina and always gave it his all.

The sport of boxing will miss him.

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The same sport he milked for years with bull**** defences and then bit the hand that fed him. Boxing will not miss the likes of Slappy Joe, he's a top class ****. **** him, good riddance.

 

i agree 100%

 

yes he is a legend absolutley nothing to prove

 

Ahh yes the bull**** of beating Lacy and and Kessler who at the time worth both world champs nearly 10 years younger and undefeated...

What ever he didnt prove in the early years her certainly did in the last few which is what makes it even more credit worthy....

so pls go crawl back under your hate rock

 

Joe is a good fighter. I respect that.

 

well said :good

 

He's a great fighter.

 

Ah yes, the only 2 meaningful fights Calslappy ever had, thanks for pointing those out - and Lacy has turned out to be what, exactly? Jones did similar ownage over Hopkins and Toney and what happened with those guys after the fact? Kessler might turn into a good win but it's still in the balance and that was Joes biggest ever win. Says it all really.

I'll get back under my 'hate rock' now, whatever the **** that means :nut

 

best 168 fighter ever, he proved what he needed to prove.it was a good move for him to retire.now he can really sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

 

I have to admit, at one time I was a Calzaghe hater. I didn't like his pitty-pat punches or his very unorthodox style. I KNEW he was going to get beat...only it didn't happen. He kept winning and I came to appreciate his talents. Love him or hate him, I for one, will miss seeing him fight.

 

Respect, Joe.