would calzaghe be as underrated if he was american...

Joe pulled out of that fight twice.

 

Smart move. Glenn's power would have walked right through Joe's speed.

 

Not smart just the facts. I watched Joe's entire career. Talented fighter no question but he was a consumate opportunist who only boxed because it made him good and easy money. (Kind of the equivalent of Steve Roberts who did the same at light middle) The guy was comfortable. Thats why he spent years defending the WBO at home.

Joe said he had a fear of flying. That soon went when he made career purses vs Hopkins and Jones.

Joe said Jones was shot in his book. But then Jones became a credible opponent and a career defining fight when Joe stood to make a cool million(s) off the fight and promptly ditched Warren.

Joe isnt underrated because of his nationality. He's dismissed because his resume sucks and he was a classic right time right place guy who clearly tried to con the few fans that he had.

 

due to a hand injury

 

margarito was'nt shot but vargas was.

 

The first time he pulled out last minute he said it was back spasms. The second time i cant even remember what he's excuse was. Even Warren was fed up with the myriad of times Joe would pull out of fights.

 

Yep. I think if Joe had taken on the best when they were in their respective primes he'd have a few losses on his record but would have a much better legacy and much more respect.

Sadly he became a product of Frank Warren's soup kitchen and padding factory (and he's not the only one; can anyone name a single opponent Hatton faced in his 38 fights before Tszyu WITHOUT boxrecing?)

 

I do get your points about being well known vs not well known. Green, while known, shouldn't be considered a legacy building fighter. He may go on to do some decent things after.... have a solid career, win a belt or two, upset a top ranked opponent, etc. But as of now, he is what he is. The guys Ward is fighting may be more well known at smw than JC's opponents, but he has quite a ways to go to get into JC's company in terms of a career. Despite the recognition factor of his opposition.

Mosley gets a lot of love based on beating DLH and Margarito.

 

I can easily because i sat through all of them. Problem is NONE of them were names of ANY merit.

I remember when Warren said Hatton would fight a top 10 opponent during his WBU reign. He then prompty delivered a chap named Mikhail Krivolapov. No one had ever heard of him or what circuit he came from let alone the fact he was ranked number 10 by the WBC.

 

Mosley gets love because fans know he was a stud in his prime who never ever shrugged a challenge. History always tends to be factually accurate. In Joes case history will confine him and his record to the annals of insignificance that it deserves.

 

Beating a prime De La Hoya is better than anything on Calzaghe's records, puts Mosley streets ahead of him, dont know why you're mentioning him.

 

Yes Calzaghe pulled out of fighting G Johnson due to injury more than once, he also pulled out injured before fighting Lacy and pulled out 3 time before fighting Sheika. Calzaghe had a history of injuries, but look at the results both times.
Calzaghe was ringside with an interest of meeting G Johnson and guess what Johnson lost to Woods making that his 11th loss with 2 draws, hardly a world beating fighter, so please dont try and convince anyone Calzaghe was worried of him, Calzaghe had beaten Sheika who had beaten Johnson and then later beat Hopkins who was rated higher. Is it now forgotten how Johnson was beaten by Sheika, Ottke, Sosa, Branco, Woods, Vanderpool etc All far lesser fighters than Calzaghe.
If Calzaghe had of fought Johnson you would now be using it as a weapon to deride his career.

 

I stand corrected, I meant Mayorga and did site Margarito as a good win for Mosely.

 

I gave an example, and I agree De La Hoya fighting at prime WW is a better fighter than anyone on Calzaghes record, but look at Moselys win resume overall and its not better. He has one good win over Oscar, then its Holiday and Margarito, as his other significant wins. One opponent dosent make a complete record, if that were the case Buster Douglas would be mentioned as great as well, and we all know hes not