Lennox mostly had a size advantage over his opponents. Better resume yes but in terms of H2H adaptability & creativity its Joe, who didn't clinch like Lewis did either.
Lewis for me. Calzaghe ruled in a new division that was only created 30 odd years ago. And he came along at the time when all the American Super Middleweights had moved on like Toney, RJJ. And when all the notable British Super Middleweights retired. So all in all Calzaghe's reign for the most part was unremarkable defending the lowly regarded WBO belt at that time in Wales against not so great opposition. Lewis for me has a significantly stronger resume and he ruled in a historically more memorable division and era. So IMO Lewis rates above Calzaghe quite clearly in my view. Yeah Calzaghe has the undefeated streak and did win titles in 2 weight divisions. But I still don't think there's enough quality on Calzaghe's resume TBH.
As a Brit who watched both their careers in real time, it's definitely Lewis for me. He went to the States early, after cleaning up across Britain and Europe, and took on the best around. Calzaghe, in my view, was a good fighter but always a bit smoke and mirrors. He spent the bulk of his career defending a low level belt against low level contenders and only really seemed to test himself at the very end end vs Kessler. And travelled to the US to take on the big names of his era (Jones and Hopkins) when both had been knocked off their perches. Lewis took on the very best. Zags was good but his career, IMO, was also an exercise in padding and good timing.
