Joe Calzaghe v Matthew Saad Muhammad

[Roco]

Ok, after his one sided defeat against Spinks, Calzaghe tries his luck against the legendary Saad Muhammad.

What do you think happens here, in their primes of course at light heavy?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

12 or 15 is very important for this one. Joe would build an early lead, everyone did. Then Saad would come after him with his full arsenal and Calzaghe would be forced to use his legs or he would be a goner. I think it's a close decision over 12, Saad stops him or takes a UD over 15.

[Counter-puncher]

interesting you think Joe would maybe last the 15 round distance. It'd be fascinating to see how a less shopworn Conteh might have done against MSM. i think Joe may just have his nose far enough in front after 12, at least.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

interesting you think Joe would maybe last the 15 round distance. It'd be fascinating to see how a less shopworn Conteh might have done against MSM. i think Joe may just have his nose far enough in front after 12, at least.

Joe never had any stamina issues and is tougher than he is given credit for. But Saad would definitely be the biggest puncher he has ever faced, by a significant margin.

[Counter-puncher]

I'm not sure i ever saw anyone with significantly better stamina than Joe and his chin was B+/A-, yeah. different thread entirely but, again, what Conteh might have been like with Joe's discipline...

[orbtastic]

I'm not sure i ever saw anyone with significantly better stamina than Joe and his chin was B+/A-, yeah. different thread entirely but, again, what Conteh might have been like with Joe's discipline...

That's what made my mind boggle when you see what his regular diet was like, and the fact he only ate vegetables when in training. Then you see that burger van parked outside the gym and you just shake your head in disbelief. No wonder his hands were made of coral.

[Alan Partridge]

Great match up here.

JC would be severely tested here. Hmmm could go either way.

I see Joe winning rounds by scoring at mid range, he would have some shaky moments, maybe have to get off the canvas.

I think he can use his speed and great footwork to survive and win a close decision over 12 rounds.

[Counter-puncher]

Can someone explain why so many people fancy Joe in these mythical match-ups?

stamina, chin, speed, versatility and southpaw style can take you quite a long way. especially in hypotheticals, ha.

going specifically Joe - MSM; Saad's feet weren't exactly nimble, it'd be a decent bet Joe could get in&out on him for a fair while at least. over 12, maybe he builds enough of a lead/MSM doesn't quite have enough time to close the gap. kinda thing.

[BoxBuzz]

No way Saad is going to be slapped out by Joe. I think Joe stands a fair chance of outpointing Saad, but Saad will never be in trouble, will never be hurt, and might not even break a sweat, but he may well be outpointed and somewhat distracted and confused by the tapping sounds he'll be hearing all night.

If Joe doesn't hit the canvas more than twice he probably can pull it off.

In the post fight interview Saad might describe the experience along the lines of having his face being slapped by cards all night, much like the spokes in the wheel of a bicycle when a child uses playing cards to create that slappy tapply sound we've all heard.

Please know I'm not disrespecting Joe's power in this case, as much as I am pointing out that Saad was remarkably adept at taking serious beatings from even heavy handed adversaries and take his licking and keep on ticking. I don't think Joe tests Matthew's absorbtion limits in the least.

[Giancarlo]

Saad TKO 10

[Rover]

Calzaghe seemed the same at 175 as he did at 168 to me. I'd favor him on points over 12; same over 15 but less confidently as we don't know for sure how he'd have reacted to those last 3 rounds.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Calzaghe at 175 wasn't the same as the EARLY 168 Calzaghe, the one who could punch with out the hands snapping...that might be worth noting.

[Rover]

Calzaghe at 175 wasn't the same as the EARLY 168 Calzaghe, the one who could punch with out the hands snapping...that might be worth noting.

That was true of the later 168 Calzaghe also. I meant the Calzaghe from, say, the Kessler fight v. the 175 Joe.

[gilgamesh]

I think Saad stops him late or wins a decision in a 15 rounder, I think he wins a 12 round decision too, but it would be closer.

[polecateddy]

Calzaghe had amazing stamina. All that hill running in the Welsh valleys. Yet he's flagging over 15 rounds. I don't think so, the distance would suit him. Calzaghe takes full advantage and stops Matthew in 14.

[Rover]

Calzaghe had amazing stamina. All that hill running in the Welsh valleys. Yet he's flagging over 15 rounds. I don't think so, the distance would suit him. Calzaghe takes full advantage and stops Matthew in 14.

Calzaghe stops Saad? No way unless it's on a bad cut or something like that.

[polecateddy]

Calzaghe had amazing stamina. All that hill running in the Welsh valleys. Yet he's flagging over 15 rounds. I don't think so, the distance would suit him. Calzaghe takes full advantage and stops Matthew in 14.

Calzaghe stops Saad? No way unless it's on a bad cut or something like that.

He would hit him nearly as much as he did Jeff Lacy. Matthew would be well tenderized. The truth is Matthew never would have fought anyone as good, whereas Joe wouldn't have any great trouble with Muhammad's style.

[Rover]

Calzaghe had amazing stamina. All that hill running in the Welsh valleys. Yet he's flagging over 15 rounds. I don't think so, the distance would suit him. Calzaghe takes full advantage and stops Matthew in 14.

Calzaghe stops Saad? No way unless it's on a bad cut or something like that.

He would hit him nearly as much as he did Jeff Lacy. Matthew would be well tenderized. The truth is Matthew never would have fought anyone as good, whereas Joe wouldn't have any great trouble with Muhammad's style.

MSM got much harder than Calzaghe would, and he was better than Lacy by quite a bit.