Who's the best light heavyweight in the world?

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 20 Apr 2008, 09:11

Calzaghe got the win last night but I don't know how effective he's going to be at 175 where his speed looks on the decline and the lack of pop in his shots even more pronounced.

Hopkins is great at making ppl look like dogshit but how about making a real effort to win a good 7 rds? Can't se him getting any more big fights.

Erdei has terrific skills but fights American clubfighters for his WBO belt. Has shown potential, seems destined to waste it fighting for Universum. Only fighter in the division who hasn't risked it vs a fellow world champion.
Time to push him forward with everyone looking beatable??

Woods - horrid loss to Tarver last week but does have a draw and win vs Johnson.

Glen Johnson - could well have become WBC champ - many feel he beat Dawson, though plenty think he's been crying wolf yet again. Probably gave the most impressive performance in a revealing week of 175-lb boxing.

Tarver - shocking loss to Hopkins but is 1-1 vs Johnson and outclassed Woods. Unification fight with Dawson will tell us more.

Dawson - has beaten good names Harding, Adamek and Johnson but all 3 have hurt him badly. Fine southpaw skills, good power and sizzling speed but always seems to leave himself open.

Who is the best then? And what fights need making to make this clear?

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 20 Apr 2008, 09:17

Calzaghe is blatantly going to fight RJJ next for his retirement fund but in an ideal world I'd like Dawson-Tarver(think this will happen in all likely hood and I think Dawson did enough to beat Johnson) and Calzaghe to fight Erdei with the winners to meet. I think Dawson-Calzaghe would be a helluva a fight - styles make fights and all that!

Incidently I didnt bother watching JC- Hopkins since Ive given up watching Hopkins unless I have problems sleeping

jameswilson · Post by **jameswilson** » 20 Apr 2008, 09:20

For sure not Roy Jones.

Joe wont win anyone over by beating Jones, he's just beaten Hopkins who is in his 40s and likewise Jones will be if come fight time if that fight got made.

I think if Jones won a title then that fight would have a reason, unfortunately the only light heavyweight champ Jones would have a chance against (in my opinion) is Erdei.

In the meantime anyone from Dawson, Tarver or Pavlik would improve Calzaghe's reputation further.

m1kee50 · Post by **m1kee50** » 20 Apr 2008, 09:22

Dawson, for me.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Apr 2008, 09:57

Bernard Hopkins.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 20 Apr 2008, 11:30

Hopkins, who never defended vs a light heavyweight, and initiates nothing more than clinch fests?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Apr 2008, 11:35

Autobarn wrote:Hopkins, who never defended vs a light heavyweight, and initiates nothing more than clinch fests?

Hopkins who beat the #1 Light Heavy and rightful owner of the ring magazine by a shut out.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 20 Apr 2008, 11:43

Hopkins as ironic as it sounds. Number 2 Calazage. As much as I think Hopkins won I'm not sure a rematch would be any good for either man. I also think Calazage is only after the big money, which is RJJ/Pavlik. I hope its Pavlik. How about Dawson-Hopkins?

Autobahn why are you talking about that peasant Erdei? HE fights bums, he lost twice to Garay, hes boring, he would get whooped by the top5 in the division. HE IS NOT LINEAR CHAMP. 1. Its arguable if RJJ or DM were lineal. 2. Garay beat his ass twice

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 20 Apr 2008, 11:46

Joe beat the man who beat the man.

Erdei has been iffy recently.

RJJ is on the fringes at the moment because of his tainted legacy.

Dawson struggled against Johnson.

BashOfHartlepool · Post by **BashOfHartlepool** » 20 Apr 2008, 15:14

i know jermain taylor aint light heavy but hes stepped up to beat hopkins twice, kelly pavlik has beat jermain taylor twice and pavliks only middleweight i think that just shows bernard hopkins aint best light heavy

KO Artist · Post by **KO Artist** » 20 Apr 2008, 15:22

Joe Calzaghe is the champ, but he got it on a poor dcision, so he should grant Hopkins an immediate rematch.

KO Artist · Post by **KO Artist** » 20 Apr 2008, 15:32

Joe Calzaghe is the champ, but he got it on a poor dcision, so he should grant Hopkins an immediate rematch.

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 20 Apr 2008, 15:43

Calzaghe in my mind showed his mettle last night against Hopkins. Hopkins beat both Tarver and Wright; for me, I believe Calzaghe should go after Roy Jones, Jr for a huge pay day. Though, I do believe a win over Johnson or Tarver, hell maybe even Dawson would complete a picture of just how good a fighter Calzaghe really is...but I project that Calzaghe-Jones will be the fight people will want to see.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Apr 2008, 16:05

BashOfHartlepool wrote:i know jermain taylor aint light heavy but hes stepped up to beat hopkins twice, kelly pavlik has beat jermain taylor twice and pavliks only middleweight i think that just shows bernard hopkins aint best light heavy

No it shows nothing.

DLH lost Trinidad at Welter, is he the best Light Middle in the world.. yes.

1) Both fights with Taylor as debatable as this one..... 2) Hopkins was a bit weight drained at 41 at Middle.

STP · Post by **STP** » 21 Apr 2008, 02:49

It would be a disgrace if Calzaghe fights Roy Jones.

He's gone through his whole career avoiding everyone, and nobody seems to care.

It really fornicating annoys me.

Prove your worth and fight Froch, Dawson or Erdei, to fractionally make up for those eight years of nothingness.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Apr 2008, 05:35

I think Joe's probably the best light heavy. Seeing the fight again, I gave it to him over Hopkins. He did far better than Winky or Tarver, who simply didn't change up anytime in the fights with Hopkins.

I think he needs to beat a Johnson or Erdei to cement this, but my feeling is Joe will be back down at super middle before long.

Joe could do with a proper American superfight. Pavlik might be it. Joe still is champ at 168 and 175. He can move down, accommodate Pavlik and it'd be big interest. This could be the fight that makes Joe stay in boxing. That makes him NOT retire after this year.

It is very convenient for Pavlik. The prospects they were going to hype into fighting him for big $ got exposed. Unification with German world champs is never easy to negotiate, and seems no closer. Prospects like Barker and Greene are not yet ready and won't be.

Above all, Joe will weaken himself moving down in weight. Pavlik will get stronger moving up...This is Kelly's best/only shot at beating Joe in a big money fight. It could be in America & Joe likes it out there.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Apr 2008, 05:41

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Hopkins as ironic as it sounds. Number 2 Calazage. As much as I think Hopkins won I'm not sure a rematch would be any good for either man. I also think Calazage is only after the big money, which is RJJ/Pavlik. I hope its Pavlik. How about Dawson-Hopkins?

Autobahn why are you talking about that peasant Erdei? HE fights bums, he lost twice to Garay, hes boring, he would get whooped by the top5 in the division. HE IS NOT LINEAR CHAMP. 1. Its arguable if RJJ or DM were lineal. 2. Garay beat his ass twice

He didn't lose twice to Garay on my card. I had Erdei winning for a similar reason I had Johnson beating Dawson...excellent blocking of punches and accurate replies.

He's an excellent boxer who still has his reflexes. He boxed beautifully vs Julio Gonzalez and Thomas Ulrich. I hope his "career defining" fight isn't going to be Jurgen Brahmer, but I'll still watch it.

Also, more importantly, Zsolt is a bit swifter and more versatile than, say, Kessler. He can tag Joe with straight rights and if he has any sense, he will do what no man has bothered: throw a bloody hard, fast left hook after nailing Joe with a right. No one follows up a straight right to create a sustained attack to push Joe back! This is how to beat him. You can't just throw the same shot every time and expect to win.

Only man witht he combo of being physically capable/well schooled enough is Erdei. Also, I know he's good and want to see him prove it...

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 21 Apr 2008, 05:42

Pavlik at 170 or Jones at 175.

Both have attraction. Not sure where more money is? Both would fill Millenium, Pavlik is arguably the more live draw in the states.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Apr 2008, 05:45

If Pavlik can get Joe down to 168 Pavlik won't be able to resist. I think this might be the key to making the fight. Pav has no one to fight and will leave his title behind for the right reason. Think he'd want to be fighting for one of Joe's titles however.

I think Pavlik next year in America. It's up to Arum to build Kelly into a big star this year. Bob wants to make 3 title defenses, keep Kelly busy, keep him visible, have him seen on different TV channels (Kelly isnt tied to any one TV company).

Joe could watch his weight ala David Haye, come into a Jones fight lean and keep weight low between fights so he can get back down to 168 without losing too much speed.

Joe will want the UK to think the Nov 15 will be his last. More ppl will probably turn up making it more of an event. But he can still fight Pavlik the next year.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 21 Apr 2008, 05:54

KO Artist wrote:Joe Calzaghe is the champ, but he got it on a poor dcision, so he should grant Hopkins an immediate rematch.

Seems to be like 75-80% of people think the decision was ok and the fight stunk (because of Hopkins). I don't see a need for a rematch.

observer1 · Post by **observer1** » 21 Apr 2008, 06:13

I personally think Joe got "Schooled" that match, but is still the best at LH and will win in a Rematch.

had this been a few years ago.. he would not be in the Top 10

jimglen · Post by **jimglen** » 21 Apr 2008, 06:47

Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Billy Conn, Harold Johnson, Bob Foster and many, many greats before them and others along with them and since them...

lets keep it in perspective here "EH" lads, theses boys so viciously debated here just don't compare!

Their forebarers fought, competed well with, and even beat good & great HW's, how come when you make your supposed comparisons you never quite include this fact...

NONE of this modern lot have nor could! End of Story.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Apr 2008, 06:55

Because we are talking about the bst light heavyweight of today, perhaps...

Lickszz · Post by **Lickszz** » 21 Apr 2008, 07:17

1. Hopkins is the best - he beat Calzaghe IMO and has beat Tarver

2. Tarver

3. Johnson - thought he beat woods all 3 times and should have got the decision against Dawson

4. Dawson

5. Calzaghe

6. Woods.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 21 Apr 2008, 07:46

KO Artist wrote:Joe Calzaghe is the champ, but he got it on a poor dcision, so he should grant Hopkins an immediate rematch.

No way does Bernard Ruiz Hopkins deserve a rematch.