When was Calzaghe at his prime?

For me it was around the same time as the Mitchell fight.

He had genuine knockout power around that time and his hand and foot speed were phenomenal.

That version of Calzaghe would have stopped or KO'd Lacy and Kessler without doubt.

 

The Lacy fight imo. Since the Lacy fight, he has lost some speed, and doesn't put his punches together like he used to. That's a given though, as he's getting older.

For reference, watch his fight with Eubanks. You'll see everything IE fast hands, combinations, punching from every angle, in and out -- Same thing with the Lacy fight......Every fight since his Lacy fight, he has been losing speed and he doesn't put his combinations together like he used to. I noticed this half way through the Kessler fight.

Anyway, watch the Lacy-Calzaghe bout, and then the two leading up to the Kessler fight, and you'll see a noticeable difference.

 

I see what you are saying but the Calzaghe that fought Mitchell beats the Calzaghe that beat Lacy IMO.

 

There is a good possibility. He has also developed hand problems as his career has progressed.

 

I don't know, his strengths seemed to have changed a little bit. He has more ring generalship now but he has lost his KO power (it's strange to think it but Joe used to be quite a big puncher before his biscuit hands forced him to hold back).

 

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Calzaghe is prime now, so I agree with Bodysnatcher. As I have posted recently - the JC that fought Mitchell would not have outsmarted Kessler.

 

Haha, yeah! I wonder how Joe would have done if his hands had be ok? Maybe he would have relied too much on his power and actually done worse? Maybe he would have had a devastating combination of speed and power! Who knows...

 

this dude never faught anybody. so hes always been in his prime

 

Calzaghe is no longer in his physical prime, but he is still at his peak, overall, with the experience, mental stength and cunning and higher morale that he has now trumping his lower power and lower speed. Stamina is as good as ever! I think we're watching pretty much the best overall version of Calzaghe right now. His best performance from an absolute point of view was against Kessler.

 

he's still on his prime now, and i bet he already was about 7 years ago.

 

i think the kessler fight.. i think hes getting better with age

 

Around the time B-Hope pulled out of there projected first fight just after Joe whupped Americas super middle hope Mitchell.

That version of Joe would have cleared out 168 and 175 with ease, bar maybe RJJ. He only has himself to blame if his legacy is ruined because he waited too long.

 

:good

What he's lost in some departments he's made up for by gaining in others. He's said before that the 35 year old version of himself beats the 25 year old version.