Both guys have had similar careers, both fought at home, both had the bigus WBO belt for long periods. Let have a look at the opposition they faced...and you decide. Calzaghe: Kessler- Best win on his resume. Kessler was a top 20 P4P fighter, who was young and fresh, Calzaghe dominated with the partisan 50,000 crow behind him. Jeff Lacy - Over hyped bodybuilder whos best wins were against Shieka (very lucky win) and Robin Reid (7 years ast his best)- Calzaghe stated this was his career defining fight. Thats quite an admission about his level of opposition. charles Brewer - had been beaten several times before Calzaghe fought him. Eubank - Eubank took fight on 2 weeks notice when he was originally pencilled in to fight at Cruiserweight. Calzaghe still says "this was my hardest ever fight". (good job Eubank was Shot at this stage let alone weight drained) Byron Mitchell - Sven Otkes left overs was stopped in 2 ( very dubious stoppage) Robin Reid - Many thought Reid won this fight, though I had Joe winning by 2 rnds. Overall: Calzaghe fought the best his division had to offer, his opposition was stern though unspectacular. He had excellent fighter in and around his division but his promoter much Like Darius must have know in the back of his mind that his fighter would have come unstuck against the top guys. MICHALZEWSKI: VIRGIL HILL: an ATG light heavy was dominated over 12 rnds. Leonzer Barber- A unanimous 12 rnd decision against then WBO champ Nestor Giovanni - Darius mad a jump to Cruiser KOing then Cruiser Champ Giovanni before dropping back down to Light Heavy. Graciano Rocchigiani: Kod an excellent operator at World Level. Montell Griffin: was dispatched and dominated in 4. I think both fighters are similar in accomplishments and the risks they took as fighters.
DM didnt dominate Griffen. Dm was getting his a$$ kicked, lands a good shot the ref jumped in and stopped the fight. He didnt dominate Hill, he won a close fight that really could have gone either way. I had DM winning by a point or two but many thought that Hill won. Rocco like Griffin was beat'n the hell out of DM. The first fight was some fishy ****. Dm got waxed acted liked a bit*h and the fight was ruled a draw. Some time later the fight was changed to a win for DM. DM was a super protected bum beatter. I note that the only people that ever and I mean EVER talk about Barber is DM fans. The guy was a bum, end of story.
one common opponent darius ko`d mark prince in a world title fight in a very entertaining give and take fight in 8 calzaghe ko`d mark prince in 2 rounds in an aba fight. question what syptoms did eubank display of a shot fighter v calzaghe stamina/timing/not letting his hands go/weak chin/will to win/heart/power ?
Interesting question, both men have been protected the majority of there respective careers, both mostly fought at home. I would give Calzaghe a slight edge in this one, he at least is trying to make up for lost time starting in March of 06 fighting then, undefeated champ Lacy, then Kessler, now Hopkins, I know you cant really erase the lack of fighters he fought for the better part of 10 years, but he now realizes it's time to step up and fight better competition outside his hometown, I cant wait to see Calzaghe/Hopkins.
:yep Without shame. I love it. this guy was the most over hyped fighter EVER. He really was an average fighter.
For a litle perspective on DM, his best win WAS a 12rd'er ver Virgil Hill, the same VH who was blown out in 4 soon after by Roy jones, in what was a seen as a stay busy sort of fight for RJ at the time.
I agree, I think the thread starter was just trying to show the similarities in both mens careers, as far competition and the advatage of almost always fighting to a predominantly hometown crowd, something very few top notch fighters have the privilege of doing.