[Leeroy]

He wasn't English and perhaps slapped like a girl at times, but I have to say, I underrated calzaghe during his professional career. He had the intangibles that makes him an atg. Any others feel the same way?

 

[Wickio]

I think, if anything, I probably underrate Joe more so now than I did during his career. I was a big fan, but was underwhelmed by the way he left the sport, fighting past their prime Hopkins and Jones.

Not to mention my sheer Froch nuthuggery wanting to see that fight back in the day.

 

[Bryn]

Certain people underrate and certain people overrate. Same with anything. I'd say that he did the best he could, within reason, being sandwiched between two fantastic SMW eras but due to nothing other than timing he was unable to prove exactly how good he was.

 

[Roe]

Still don't rate him that much tbh but I admit that I probably do underrate him. I thought both Robin Reid and Bernard Hopkins beat him (although both really close). His record and legacy would be looked at a lot different if he retired 44-2.

He was still very good, I've just never really saw him as a great. Just my opinion of course.

 

[Miguel2010]

If he had of fought a better version of Jones Jr and Hopkins then I would rate him higher...Defo protected that 0, and I cant say I ever really enjoyed one of his fights.

Best win= Kessler.

 

[Vano-irons]

I rate him higher now than web he reitred, simply because of what Hopkins achieved after he lost to Joey.

Solid top 10 ATG IMO :lol:

 

[Vano-irons]

If he had of fought a better version of Jones Jr and Hopkins then I would rate him higher...Defo protected that 0, and I cant say I ever really enjoyed one of his fights.

Best win= Kessler.

I enjoyed the Lacy fight

 

[Roe]

Even Calzaghe against Hopkins was interesting despite it being kind of dull overall it had it's moments. With Joe getting dropped in the first and having to up his workrate etc it was pretty gripping in the last few rounds IMO.

I'm not sure Hopkins going on has that much bearing on Joe's career tbh. Calzaghe just had the style to beat an old Hopkins (same as Taylor and Dawson) whereas a confused Pavlik didn't.

 

[Jay]

One of the most polarizing boxers from recent years with regards to "how good was he"...

WARRR CALZAGHE!!!!

 

[Back to Bill]

He had shit punching technique and a horrible style,he was a Frank Warren fighter down to a tee.

He was effective though.

 

[Bryn]

He had shit punching technique and a horrible style,he was a Frank Warren fighter down to a tee.

He was effective though.

I loved Joe's style, a fast paced swarmer, solid chin, high workrate, tremendous feet, what's not like? He had to change his punching technique and style as his career progressed to deal with his hand issues. In his earlier fights you could see his power, but even then he would throw a lot of lighter 'slaps' and then throw a harder shot mid combination.

 

[Miguel2010]

Slapped like a mother fucker and his dad picked his fights.

 

[Jay]

A lot of people complain about his record, when you break it down properly it doesn't always add up that he was a ducker/protected fighter.

 

[GazOC]

Not great opposition by any means but not as bad as sometimes made out. The old "Why not fight Roy Jones instead of Tocker Pudwell?" question, as if it was ever an either/ or proposition between the two, makes want to bang my head on the desk!!

 

[Michael]

When people discuss Calzaghe's career and his achievements, I don't understand why the fuck they have to bring up his punching technique and style? So what if he poor to watch and if he slapped like a girl, it didnt stop him from having a very good career or from beating som very good fighters. Actually the fact that he had to adapt his style in his later years as his hands were fucked, and was still successful, just shows how versatile a fighter he was. Anyways he had plenty of qualities, that are far less talked about than his bitch slapping. He had handspeed, stamina, an effective awkwardness and workrate, some very solid boxing skills and the ability to adapt very well in a fight.

As for his career achievements themselves, id personally consider him one of the best, if not the the best 168 pounder of all time, based purely on resume. I know several fighters more talented than Clazaghe passed through the division, but they didn't amass his body of work, He had plenty of good wins over Eubank, Woodhall, Mitchell, Lacy, Bika, Kessler and Hopkins, and that's some good names.

Calazghe's the kind of fighter who is either underrated or overrated, there rarely is a middle ground for any of his haters/fans.

 

[Bryn]

When people discuss Calzaghe's career and his achievements, I don't understand why the fuck they have to bring up his punching technique and style? So what if he poor to watch and if he slapped like a girl, it didnt stop him from having a very good career or from beating som very good fighters. Actually the fact that he had to adapt his style in his later years as his hands were fucked, and was still successful, just shows how versatile a fighter he was. Anyways he had plenty of qualities, that are far less talked about than his bitch slapping. He had handspeed, stamina, an effective awkwardness and workrate, some very solid boxing skills and the ability to adapt very well in a fight.

As for his career achievements themselves, id personally consider him one of the best, if not the the best 168 pounder of all time, based purely on resume. I know several fighters more talented than Clazaghe passed through the division, but they didn't amass his body of work, He had plenty of good wins over Eubank, Woodhall, Mitchell, Lacy, Bika, Kessler and Hopkins, and that's some good names.

Calazghe's the kind of fighter who is either underrated or overrated, there rarely is a middle ground for any of his haters/fans.

Agree with this post. Especially bringing up the slapping thing, I just think its lazy analysis from morons. Ultimately, regardless of technique and aesthetics boxing is all about being effective. The fact that Calzaghe had to adapt to his hand trouble should be commended not ridiculed.

 

[Back to Bill]

Im not saying Calzaghe was a bad fighter because clearly he wasn't, I didn't like his style, its not my cup of tea, I prefer a orthodox boxer-puncher style or watching a great counter puncher, its nothing personal.

 

[Miguel2010]

What just cos he slaps and you dont like it Bryn and call everyone morons who thinks he slaps.....Behave.

Italians do a good slap round the chops, must be the Italian in him.

Like Bill said, he done fuck all for me. His best win was vs Kessler IMO...And the fight vs Lacey wasn't excitement, it was all the hype surrounding Lacey that made that event.

You know fine well Joe would NOT have gone to Vegas to fight Hopkins unless he KNEW he was going to win. FACT.

Also getting floored by a pretty much shot RJJ and an old Hopkins shows how he would get on in TRUE world level fights against the aforementioned prime for prime.

Lame.

 

[BoxingAnalyst]

I never really warmed to Calzaghe, good fighter though, his opposition was poor throughout his career, Warren is partly to blame of course.

 

[Miguel2010]

Frank will have gave them a list.....Enzo will have picked them, any money.