Calzaghe deserves his due

[Captain Hook]

PS Do you think Kessler v Johnson NOW is tough to call or peak v peak?

I'd go for Kessler now on pts...I don't think Johnson has ever given anyone an easy fight.

[stujones]

PS Do you think Kessler v Johnson NOW is tough to call or peak v peak?

I'd go for Kessler now on pts...I don't think Johnson has ever given anyone an easy fight.

Well both.... I would favour Kessler now, but it wouldn't be some fight. I won't right Johnson off against anyone given his display against Dawson - who I think is mustard.

[Captain Hook]

PS Do you think Kessler v Johnson NOW is tough to call or peak v peak?

I'd go for Kessler now on pts...I don't think Johnson has ever given anyone an easy fight.

Well both.... I would favour Kessler now, but it wouldn't be some fight. I won't right Johnson off against anyone given his display against Dawson - who I think is mustard.

Yellow, and an acquired taste?

Nah, he's a good fighter...

[stujones]

Post 1987, I'd rank the 160-175lbers as follows

1. Roy Jones
2. Hopkins
3. Toney
4. Calzaghe
5. DM

Which is high acclaim given Eubank, Benn, Nunn, McCellan, Tarver, Hill, Otke all operated in that time.

Joe is doing what no one thought he'd ever done, taking his opposition to this level since 2006. BUT his 2 opponents this year are not just past prime, they are Taylor, Tarver and Glen Johnson left overs

I'd be tempted to have Hill above Joe and Ottke above DM.

You're not looking at this impartially if you have Hill above an unbeaten Calzaghe. There must be something else to it.

You make good points about Kessler, but Johnson caught Jones at the right time, Woods was never even the best fighter in his home city, and Tarver is a vastly overrated lazy bastard.
I like Johnson, he was a brute, but Calzaghe would have outpointed him, same as he would have with Ottke.

Calzaghe would have lost to a peak Jones and a peak Toney. I think he'd have also had a close fight with Michael Nunn.

Well perhaps I am looking at Hill's over all career. Lets not forget he was a world champion for 20 years if you count his cruiserweight reign. Beating some of the best around at Light Heavyweight. No shame losing to Hearns and Jones.

Your thing on Calzaghe vs Johnson and Ottke are ifs, buts and maybes.

[stujones]

When was Guzman vs Mayweather ever a possibility - they have never been near the same weight.

[Captain Hook]

Yeah right, ok mate.....I don't know what 'Welsh' people you're on about but we're not all like that.

Hill or Calzaghe - if you're being impartial it's Calzaghe over Hill, or should that be over-the-hill.

Hill was a good boxer, Calzaghe will retire undefeated in the p4p top three....

And the way he lost to Jones.......ouch.

Calzaghe's reign is full of ifs and maybes, but I'm one of the few who would rather appreciate his ability than spend all of my time running him down. Welsh or not...

Most boxers who reach the heights he has have plenty of critics. It's boxing...

[Asterix]

When was Guzman vs Mayweather ever a possibility - they have never been near the same weight.

Well...not inside of the ring.

[banjo]

You can pick apart the records of great fighters all through history, I could do Hopkins but I can't be arsed as somebody will always argue otherwise.

[observer1]

Pavlik's 0 was there for the taking - Calzaghe should've been the one to take it I feel, and then fight Jones.

He would never fight Pavlik.

Too much Risk, Too little reward. Not how Calzaghe roles..

Face it, Calzaghe doubted himself

[Gray-Fox]

Gray Fox.

Sorry, I think you misread a bit - The "Roy Jones is/was one dimensional" is an arguement I am receiving from Calzaghe fans prior to this fight being signed. When I used to argue that Joe would not have beaten a prime Jones. They would argue he is one dimensional and Joe would have outclassed him, and now he has a "ready made excuse" for when he fails. People honestly think who I talk to that because I said 6 years ago, Jones would wipe the floor with Calzaghe that I still think that now. Because chronillogically Jones can't be that shot cause there is only 3 years between them in age!

Also regarding the 3 Hall of Famers being in the peak. Well Toney was, Hopkins for my money was and Virgil Hill was still a world champion nearly 10 years after their fight. And who were the other Hall of famers he could have faced? and when was a more suitable time. Jones' wouldn't have detracted from his critics if he fought Hopkins at Light Heavyweight when Bernard was 36. You could argue that Hopkins improved with time, but personally I have always maintained that the Hopkins of 1993 would have beaten the Trinidad of 2001 in equally emphatic fashion, and Hopkins would have always lost Jones from 1993-2003. Hill was 34 when they fought and was starting to slide but he was his first voluntary defence of the Light Heavyweight title - so couldn't have fought him much earlier (will Hopkins be a world champion in 2016). Toney was pretty much P4P #1 when they fought.

The two past it ones were McCallum (but then that was for a vacant WBC title - so he wasn't out of the picture past it) and Trinidad - in a joke of a fight admittedly.

Fair dos mate.

[Gray-Fox]

I didn't know that it was THE Peter Hick that posted here. Hello, sir! (Who is he?)

I've heard of Graeme Hick...

[stujones]

Yeah right, ok mate.....I don't know what 'Welsh' people you're on about but we're not all like that.

Hill or Calzaghe - if you're being impartial it's Calzaghe over Hill, or should that be over-the-hill.

Hill was a good boxer, Calzaghe will retire undefeated in the p4p top three....

And the way he lost to Jones.......ouch.

Calzaghe's reign is full of ifs and maybes, but I'm one of the few who would rather appreciate his ability than spend all of my time running him down. Welsh or not...

Most boxers who reach the heights he has have plenty of critics. It's boxing...

All very well, and I sincerely hope that not everyone in Wales is like the people I have been talking. I think you are underating Hill - who, but for Thomas Hearns (not a bad fighter!), would have reigned as 10 years and undefeated. His resume from Hearns through to Maske was excellent really only one not that worthy opponent/challenger (and he'd already had a shot so it wasn't like a Richard Frazier, Pudwill opponent). And after Maske he was ranked in the top #3 P4P by Boxing Monthly (or the reporter of the fight) - with it being #1 Jones, #2 Whittikar # 3 Hill.

He could have retired with just the sole defeat, many defences a P4P ranking and beating a German favourite in Germany. He continued as a fading force into his mid 30's and now while losing to the elite - would still go on to win and hold the Cruiserweight title for a further 7 years. He shouldn't be fighting now and his loses to Maske and Arslan are tarnishing his legacy. Also the fights he won, he won clear - there was no controvesial decision that went in his favour. I believe that the Mormeck rematch that went against him, could have gone either way.

I think their resumes are similar in lots of respects, I think ability they are on a similar level - it would appear Joe was faster (but then I thought he would be faster than Hopkins also), but he is defensively flawed and Hill was better defensively. Excitiment wise there is no comparison - Hill was dull as dishwater to watch.

Its very close in my opinion - you could call them a joint #4. I would just give the slight edge to Hill on the fact that he risked it all in Germany... something Joe severely needed to do, and there was no controvesial wins he geniunally lost 1 fight in 13 years but in the case of a fighter giving him a close contest he would give a rematch.

I have no qualms with you going the other way. If your talking a fight between them, I wouldn't like to split them. Which shows my respect for Joe - because I have called Hill a sure fire Hall of Famer.

[banjo]

You can pick apart the records of great fighters all through history, I could do Hopkins but I can't be arsed as somebody will always argue otherwise.

Feck it I'm gonna do it anyway D

Lets look at Hopkins title fights shall we?

Roy Jones Jr - First title fight, lost a decision to a future great so no disgrace there
Segundo Mercado - 2 fights for the vacant IBF title, dropped twice and rallied to get a draw in the first fight, stopped Mercardo in the rematch but seriously who had Mercardo fought? Not to mention he only won one more fight after that.
Steve Frank - Beaten absolutely nobody before or after the Hopkins fight.
Joe Lipsey - Had a very tidy looking 25-0 record going in to the fight but again take a look at Lipseys record and you won't fight any impressive victims on there, also he never fought again after Hopkins
William Bo James - Again no real impressive victories to speak of before or after the Hopkins fight.
John David Jackson - Had seen better days and only had 2 fights(loss and a win) after Hopkins fight
Glen Johnson - Based on what Johnson has gone on to achieve this was a very impressive stoppage win - but if somebody went into a fight with JC with an unbeaten record but with no notable victories there'd be murders.
Andrew Council - Similar record to Bo James, beaten when stepped up in class
Simon Brown - Former 154 title holder and former unified 147 champ, had dodgy form going into the fight and never won a fight afterwards, like the Jackson fight just a victory over a past-it name.
Robert Allen - 3 fights, 1st was an NC due to Hopkins injury, 2nd was a stoppage win for Hopkins and a meaningless 3rd fight 5 years later won by Hopkins on a decision but how good was Allen really?
Antwun Echols - 2 fights against a dangerous puncher but was fairly limited
Syd Vanderpool - Lost whenever he broke into top class.
Keith Holmes - 2 time WBC champion, decent fighter and a good win for Hopkins.
Felix Trinidad - Dangerous puncher but in no way was he a middleweight and he always struggled with slick boxers, a good win for Hopkins but an overrated one.
Carl Daniels - Best years were down at 154, had no big miidleweight wins of note and had been inactive prior to the Hopkins fight.
Morrade Hakkar - Joke of a fight to be honest, Hakkar clearly came solely to survive.
William Joppy - One of Hopkins better wins against a top opponent.
Oscar De La Hoya - Great fighter, but was coming off a dodgy victory over Felix Sturm and again like Trinindad was not a middleweight.
Howard Eastman - Decent, dangerous fighter and a good win for Hopkins but Howard hasn't exactly set the world alight since then either.
Jermain Taylor - Touted as the next middleweight champion which I agreed with, I felt Hopkins should have got the decision in the first fight but felt the decision in the rematch was fair.
Antonio Tarver - Brilliant performance by Hopkins in taking apart the #1 light heavy
Winky Wright - Waaaay above Wrights best weight class, Wright had no business being at 170 and Hopkins was hardly impressive.
Calzaghe - Hopkins only has himself to blame for this defeat, if he spent as much time punching as he did holding he could have won this clearly, he did land the better punches but how often did he even throw them.
Kelly Pavlik - beat the man who beat Hopkins but we all knew he was flawed, still a lot of people expected him to beat and even stop Hopkins.

Now looking at that record, is it really that much greater than Calzaghes?

I think Hopkins record is just that bit better but theres not much between them.

[Carbo]

You can pick apart the records of great fighters all through history, I could do Hopkins but I can't be arsed as somebody will always argue otherwise.

Feck it I'm gonna do it anyway D

Lets look at Hopkins title fights shall we?

Roy Jones Jr - First title fight, lost a decision to a future great so no disgrace there
Segundo Mercado - 2 fights for the vacant IBF title, dropped twice and rallied to get a draw in the first fight, stopped Mercardo in the rematch but seriously who had Mercardo fought? Not to mention he only won one more fight after that.
Steve Frank - Beaten absolutely nobody before or after the Hopkins fight.
Joe Lipsey - Had a very tidy looking 25-0 record going in to the fight but again take a look at Lipseys record and you won't fight any impressive victims on there, also he never fought again after Hopkins
William Bo James - Again no real impressive victories to speak of before or after the Hopkins fight.
John David Jackson - Had seen better days and only had 2 fights(loss and a win) after Hopkins fight
Glen Johnson - Based on what Johnson has gone on to achieve this was a very impressive stoppage win - but if somebody went into a fight with JC with an unbeaten record but with no notable victories there'd be murders.
Andrew Council - Similar record to Bo James, beaten when stepped up in class
Simon Brown - Former 154 title holder and former unified 147 champ, had dodgy form going into the fight and never won a fight afterwards, like the Jackson fight just a victory over a past-it name.
Robert Allen - 3 fights, 1st was an NC due to Hopkins injury, 2nd was a stoppage win for Hopkins and a meaningless 3rd fight 5 years later won by Hopkins on a decision but how good was Allen really?
Antwun Echols - 2 fights against a dangerous puncher but was fairly limited
Syd Vanderpool - Lost whenever he broke into top class.
Keith Holmes - 2 time WBC champion, decent fighter and a good win for Hopkins.
Felix Trinidad - Dangerous puncher but in no way was he a middleweight and he always struggled with slick boxers, a good win for Hopkins but an overrated one.
Carl Daniels - Best years were down at 154, had no big miidleweight wins of note and had been inactive prior to the Hopkins fight.
Morrade Hakkar - Joke of a fight to be honest, Hakkar clearly came solely to survive.
William Joppy - One of Hopkins better wins against a top opponent.
Oscar De La Hoya - Great fighter, but was coming off a dodgy victory over Felix Sturm and again like Trinindad was not a middleweight.
Howard Eastman - Decent, dangerous fighter and a good win for Hopkins but Howard hasn't exactly set the world alight since then either.
Jermain Taylor - Touted as the next middleweight champion which I agreed with, I felt Hopkins should have got the decision in the first fight but felt the decision in the rematch was fair.
Antonio Tarver - Brilliant performance by Hopkins in taking apart the #1 light heavy
Winky Wright - Waaaay above Wrights best weight class, Wright had no business being at 170 and Hopkins was hardly impressive.
Calzaghe - Hopkins only has himself to blame for this defeat, if he spent as much time punching as he did holding he could have won this clearly, he did land the better punches but how often did he even throw them.
Kelly Pavlik - beat the man who beat Hopkins but we all knew he was flawed, still a lot of people expected him to beat and even stop Hopkins.

Now looking at that record, is it really that much greater than Calzaghes?

I think Hopkins record is just that bit better but theres not much between them.

Banjo, the big silent red indian is looking for you. Better get back before Nurse Ratched finds you're gone.

[banjo]

[Autobarn]

Calzaghe / Hill debate?

Both had long, fairly tedious home reigns. Similar number of title defences. Hill won one unification (Maske) and lost the other (Michalczewski), both away from home. Joe won both his unifications, at home, when he was a similar age to what Hill was.

Have to put Joe over Hill.

[Autobarn]

PS Do you think Kessler v Johnson NOW is tough to call or peak v peak?

I'd go for Kessler now on pts...I don't think Johnson has ever given anyone an easy fight.

I'd pick Kessler over Glen Johnson. Johnson had hell with Silvio Branco's jab. I think slow pressure fighters are made to order for Mikkel Kessler. Johnson is good, he's become a very compact warrior & still very watchable. If Johnson did have a big breakthrough, I don't think he has the power or gas to finish his man. Good fight though.

[jamesmcdonnell]

You can pick apart the records of great fighters all through history, I could do Hopkins but I can't be arsed as somebody will always argue otherwise.

Feck it I'm gonna do it anyway D

Lets look at Hopkins title fights shall we?

Roy Jones Jr - First title fight, lost a decision to a future great so no disgrace there
Segundo Mercado - 2 fights for the vacant IBF title, dropped twice and rallied to get a draw in the first fight, stopped Mercardo in the rematch but seriously who had Mercardo fought? Not to mention he only won one more fight after that.
Steve Frank - Beaten absolutely nobody before or after the Hopkins fight.
Joe Lipsey - Had a very tidy looking 25-0 record going in to the fight but again take a look at Lipseys record and you won't fight any impressive victims on there, also he never fought again after Hopkins
William Bo James - Again no real impressive victories to speak of before or after the Hopkins fight.
John David Jackson - Had seen better days and only had 2 fights(loss and a win) after Hopkins fight
Glen Johnson - Based on what Johnson has gone on to achieve this was a very impressive stoppage win - but if somebody went into a fight with JC with an unbeaten record but with no notable victories there'd be murders.
Andrew Council - Similar record to Bo James, beaten when stepped up in class
Simon Brown - Former 154 title holder and former unified 147 champ, had dodgy form going into the fight and never won a fight afterwards, like the Jackson fight just a victory over a past-it name.
Robert Allen - 3 fights, 1st was an NC due to Hopkins injury, 2nd was a stoppage win for Hopkins and a meaningless 3rd fight 5 years later won by Hopkins on a decision but how good was Allen really?
Antwun Echols - 2 fights against a dangerous puncher but was fairly limited
Syd Vanderpool - Lost whenever he broke into top class.
Keith Holmes - 2 time WBC champion, decent fighter and a good win for Hopkins.
Felix Trinidad - Dangerous puncher but in no way was he a middleweight and he always struggled with slick boxers, a good win for Hopkins but an overrated one.
Carl Daniels - Best years were down at 154, had no big miidleweight wins of note and had been inactive prior to the Hopkins fight.
Morrade Hakkar - Joke of a fight to be honest, Hakkar clearly came solely to survive.
William Joppy - One of Hopkins better wins against a top opponent.
Oscar De La Hoya - Great fighter, but was coming off a dodgy victory over Felix Sturm and again like Trinindad was not a middleweight.
Howard Eastman - Decent, dangerous fighter and a good win for Hopkins but Howard hasn't exactly set the world alight since then either.
Jermain Taylor - Touted as the next middleweight champion which I agreed with, I felt Hopkins should have got the decision in the first fight but felt the decision in the rematch was fair.
Antonio Tarver - Brilliant performance by Hopkins in taking apart the #1 light heavy
Winky Wright - Waaaay above Wrights best weight class, Wright had no business being at 170 and Hopkins was hardly impressive.
Calzaghe - Hopkins only has himself to blame for this defeat, if he spent as much time punching as he did holding he could have won this clearly, he did land the better punches but how often did he even throw them.
Kelly Pavlik - beat the man who beat Hopkins but we all knew he was flawed, still a lot of people expected him to beat and even stop Hopkins.

Now looking at that record, is it really that much greater than Calzaghes?

I think Hopkins record is just that bit better but theres not much between them.

To be fair, Hopkins fought what middleweight contenders were available, in a dire period for middleweights, hard to blame him for that - can the same be said of WBOgus title holder Calzaghe who waited until the end of his career before facing off against real threats to his position.

[Captain Hook]

Stu - no worries mate, some good points there. I recognise Hill was no mug but historically Calzaghe pips him in my opinion.

I know what you mean about the Welsh fans though, a lot of them will grab onto anything without the knowledge to back it up.

[stujones]

To be fair, Hopkins fought what middleweight contenders were available, in a dire period for middleweights, hard to blame him for that - can the same be said of WBOgus title holder Calzaghe who waited until the end of his career before facing off against real threats to his position.

Yep, that I agree with. Only really Harry Simon is missing from the Hopkins record at Middleweight and Simon's middleweight career was brief.

Tyson had his knockers over his opponents, but essentially Tim Witherspoon aside he cleared up. Hopkins cleared up, Joe didn't. I'll say again Ottke/Beyer were the main fights for Joe.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Here's 1, not happy he didnt face Joan Guzman and isn't facing the best at 135

Who gives a damn about Guzman, though? He's failed to make weight for two world title fights, and has pretty much buried himself.

I care because hes P4P most talented in the sport right now and would box Marquez and Pacquiao's ears off.

And since when has he not made weight TWICE? He's only not made weight against Campbell

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

You can pick apart the records of great fighters all through history, I could do Hopkins but I can't be arsed as somebody will always argue otherwise.

Feck it I'm gonna do it anyway D

Lets look at Hopkins title fights shall we?

Roy Jones Jr - First title fight, lost a decision to a future great so no disgrace there
Segundo Mercado - 2 fights for the vacant IBF title, dropped twice and rallied to get a draw in the first fight, stopped Mercardo in the rematch but seriously who had Mercardo fought? Not to mention he only won one more fight after that.
Steve Frank - Beaten absolutely nobody before or after the Hopkins fight.
Joe Lipsey - Had a very tidy looking 25-0 record going in to the fight but again take a look at Lipseys record and you won't fight any impressive victims on there, also he never fought again after Hopkins
William Bo James - Again no real impressive victories to speak of before or after the Hopkins fight.
John David Jackson - Had seen better days and only had 2 fights(loss and a win) after Hopkins fight
Glen Johnson - Based on what Johnson has gone on to achieve this was a very impressive stoppage win - but if somebody went into a fight with JC with an unbeaten record but with no notable victories there'd be murders.
Andrew Council - Similar record to Bo James, beaten when stepped up in class
Simon Brown - Former 154 title holder and former unified 147 champ, had dodgy form going into the fight and never won a fight afterwards, like the Jackson fight just a victory over a past-it name.
Robert Allen - 3 fights, 1st was an NC due to Hopkins injury, 2nd was a stoppage win for Hopkins and a meaningless 3rd fight 5 years later won by Hopkins on a decision but how good was Allen really?
Antwun Echols - 2 fights against a dangerous puncher but was fairly limited
Syd Vanderpool - Lost whenever he broke into top class.
Keith Holmes - 2 time WBC champion, decent fighter and a good win for Hopkins.
Felix Trinidad - Dangerous puncher but in no way was he a middleweight and he always struggled with slick boxers, a good win for Hopkins but an overrated one.
Carl Daniels - Best years were down at 154, had no big miidleweight wins of note and had been inactive prior to the Hopkins fight.
Morrade Hakkar - Joke of a fight to be honest, Hakkar clearly came solely to survive.
William Joppy - One of Hopkins better wins against a top opponent.
Oscar De La Hoya - Great fighter, but was coming off a dodgy victory over Felix Sturm and again like Trinindad was not a middleweight.
Howard Eastman - Decent, dangerous fighter and a good win for Hopkins but Howard hasn't exactly set the world alight since then either.
Jermain Taylor - Touted as the next middleweight champion which I agreed with, I felt Hopkins should have got the decision in the first fight but felt the decision in the rematch was fair.
Antonio Tarver - Brilliant performance by Hopkins in taking apart the #1 light heavy
Winky Wright - Waaaay above Wrights best weight class, Wright had no business being at 170 and Hopkins was hardly impressive.
Calzaghe - Hopkins only has himself to blame for this defeat, if he spent as much time punching as he did holding he could have won this clearly, he did land the better punches but how often did he even throw them.
Kelly Pavlik - beat the man who beat Hopkins but we all knew he was flawed, still a lot of people expected him to beat and even stop Hopkins.

Now looking at that record, is it really that much greater than Calzaghes?

I think Hopkins record is just that bit better but theres not much between them.

You forgot to mention the Hopkins names that were champions prior and in the future, he has a good few more than Joe, the 1s that weren't coming off losses, were mandatories for the most part, were top contenders on the way up, were unable to shine because. Hopkins has also fought and beat more undefeated fighters and more P4P rated fighters. He also didn't leave any names in his primary division that he didn't face over his stint there, Calazghe has about 10 top names he didn't face over his time at 168

Also should be mentioned the Mercado draw was a bit of a robbery.

The gripes against Calazage's record are outside of Lacy/Kessler he fought men on the way down or who had losses in within a fight or 2 of facing Joe.

I don't think Calazghe's resume is leagues below Hopkins but Hopkins has done it the hard way, Joe has done it the calculated manner outside of Lacy/Kessler

[Dioufy]

Pavlik's 0 was there for the taking - Calzaghe should've been the one to take it I feel, and then fight Jones.

He would never fight Pavlik.

Too much Risk, Too little reward. Not how Calzaghe roles..

Face it, Calzaghe doubted himself

I have to disagree with your second line there. Pavlik was viewed as America's next big star - they were all raving about him. He had viciously knocked out some big names and some people were tipping him to be the first man to stop Hopkins (even me might I add). Now could you imagine what that would've done for Calzaghe's legacy - to beat three, undeafted, very dangerous rising stars, especially if Joe beat Pavlik in the was B-Hop did (which I think was possible too). It would've done wonders for him, and people would've made him P4P#1 - if you wouldn't have had him there if he beat Pavlik then you don't know your boxing. Furthermore, I think the risks were high but the rewards were higher. He should've took on Pavlik instead of Jones, but again, that's just my opinion.

[jamesmcdonnell]

To be fair, Hopkins fought what middleweight contenders were available, in a dire period for middleweights, hard to blame him for that - can the same be said of WBOgus title holder Calzaghe who waited until the end of his career before facing off against real threats to his position.

Yep, that I agree with. Only really Harry Simon is missing from the Hopkins record at Middleweight and Simon's middleweight career was brief.

Tyson had his knockers over his opponents, but essentially Tim Witherspoon aside he cleared up. Hopkins cleared up, Joe didn't. I'll say again Ottke/Beyer were the main fights for Joe.

Only fights Tyson really missed were a prime Lewis and Bowe.

[observer1]

You can pick apart the records of great fighters all through history, I could do Hopkins but I can't be arsed as somebody will always argue otherwise.

Feck it I'm gonna do it anyway D

Lets look at Hopkins title fights shall we?

Roy Jones Jr - First title fight, lost a decision to a future great so no disgrace there
Segundo Mercado - 2 fights for the vacant IBF title, dropped twice and rallied to get a draw in the first fight, stopped Mercardo in the rematch but seriously who had Mercardo fought? Not to mention he only won one more fight after that.
Steve Frank - Beaten absolutely nobody before or after the Hopkins fight.
Joe Lipsey - Had a very tidy looking 25-0 record going in to the fight but again take a look at Lipseys record and you won't fight any impressive victims on there, also he never fought again after Hopkins
William Bo James - Again no real impressive victories to speak of before or after the Hopkins fight.
John David Jackson - Had seen better days and only had 2 fights(loss and a win) after Hopkins fight
Glen Johnson - Based on what Johnson has gone on to achieve this was a very impressive stoppage win - but if somebody went into a fight with JC with an unbeaten record but with no notable victories there'd be murders.
Andrew Council - Similar record to Bo James, beaten when stepped up in class
Simon Brown - Former 154 title holder and former unified 147 champ, had dodgy form going into the fight and never won a fight afterwards, like the Jackson fight just a victory over a past-it name.
Robert Allen - 3 fights, 1st was an NC due to Hopkins injury, 2nd was a stoppage win for Hopkins and a meaningless 3rd fight 5 years later won by Hopkins on a decision but how good was Allen really?
Antwun Echols - 2 fights against a dangerous puncher but was fairly limited
Syd Vanderpool - Lost whenever he broke into top class.
Keith Holmes - 2 time WBC champion, decent fighter and a good win for Hopkins.
Felix Trinidad - Dangerous puncher but in no way was he a middleweight and he always struggled with slick boxers, a good win for Hopkins but an overrated one.
Carl Daniels - Best years were down at 154, had no big miidleweight wins of note and had been inactive prior to the Hopkins fight.
Morrade Hakkar - Joke of a fight to be honest, Hakkar clearly came solely to survive.
William Joppy - One of Hopkins better wins against a top opponent.
Oscar De La Hoya - Great fighter, but was coming off a dodgy victory over Felix Sturm and again like Trinindad was not a middleweight.
Howard Eastman - Decent, dangerous fighter and a good win for Hopkins but Howard hasn't exactly set the world alight since then either.
Jermain Taylor - Touted as the next middleweight champion which I agreed with, I felt Hopkins should have got the decision in the first fight but felt the decision in the rematch was fair.
Antonio Tarver - Brilliant performance by Hopkins in taking apart the #1 light heavy
Winky Wright - Waaaay above Wrights best weight class, Wright had no business being at 170 and Hopkins was hardly impressive.
Calzaghe - Hopkins only has himself to blame for this defeat, if he spent as much time punching as he did holding he could have won this clearly, he did land the better punches but how often did he even throw them.
Kelly Pavlik - beat the man who beat Hopkins but we all knew he was flawed, still a lot of people expected him to beat and even stop Hopkins.

Now looking at that record, is it really that much greater than Calzaghes?

I think Hopkins record is just that bit better but theres not much between them.

Yes. Very.