Joe Calzaghe (2008) vs recent Andre Ward ?

[Loki]

I opened topic about Calzaghe and Ward, and Froch has not been mentioned. Majority of posts relating Carl Froch, who was a very decent fighter, but easily defeated by Andre Ward. So, what do you think about this fantasy match, Calzaghe vs Ward ?

It was The Enlightened Troll, who, as so often, has queered the post. I notice he's not backed up his claim about Froch.

V close fight IMO; both fighters adapt to win and, therefore, difficult to beat.

I'd favour Calzaghe. Purely because he's faster and, IMO, more fluid. If anyone can figure out SOG and beat him, it would be him.

But, a real 50/50.

[Kalan]

Kessler was more on the level of George Groves than Carl Froch... In the first fight the commentators had Froch winning... He definitely landed more punches and better punches... The referee was clearly a Kessler referee so he would have beaten him worse with neutral officials.. Froch just made sure he was on top of his game for the rematch and won going away.

Before the rematch Kessler said words to the effect, "I'm not the same guy who fought Calzaghe, Ward, or Froch in Denmark.. I'm more experienced and don't get hit as much.. My balance is better. I'm moving better and punching sharper.. so it's true I'm not the same fighter."

As far as Calzaghe-Ward goes -- that goes to Ward by a wide margin because when he was still a tyro he beat Kessler much more convincingly than a fully mature Calz beat him... Anybody who leads with their head like Calzaghe is going to get tagged up by a boxer of Ward's caliber.

[Counter-puncher]

Before the rematch Kessler said words to the effect, "I'm not the same guy who fought Calzaghe, Ward, or Froch in Denmark.. I'm more experienced and don't get hit as much.. My balance is better. I'm moving better and punching sharper.. so it's true I'm not the same fighter."

unfortunately for Kessler only half of what he said was true, his upper body movement was definitely improved and combination punching better in the Froch rematch, but his balance was horrible and he took many more clean punches.

[Kalan]

That's because Froch kept Kessler off balance with the jab -- because he didn't have the wrist injury he suffered from in their 1st fight.

As you saw in the Abraham fight Froch also jabbed him to death... And he would get that jab on Calzaghe as well because JC led with his face.

[Counter-puncher]

Kessler could hardly pivot off his front foot without losing balance, that isn't just about being kept off balance with a jab, its a fighter whose legs and balance are at least partially shot.

[Ossyrules]

Kessler was more on the level of George Groves than Carl Froch... In the first fight the commentators had Froch winning... He definitely landed more punches and better punches... The referee was clearly a Kessler referee so he would have beaten him worse with neutral officials.. Froch just made sure he was on top of his game for the rematch and won going away.

Before the rematch Kessler said words to the effect, "I'm not the same guy who fought Calzaghe, Ward, or Froch in Denmark.. I'm more experienced and don't get hit as much.. My balance is better. I'm moving better and punching sharper.. so it's true I'm not the same fighter."

As far as Calzaghe-Ward goes -- that goes to Ward by a wide margin because when he was still a tyro he beat Kessler much more convincingly than a fully mature Calz beat him... Anybody who leads with their head like Calzaghe is going to get tagged up by a boxer of Ward's caliber.

If I only had a pound for every time a boxer said he was in there best shape ever before a fight

Again you're off the mark in this particular area

[ValMar]

Kessler was more on the level of George Groves than Carl Froch... In the first fight the commentators had Froch winning... He definitely landed more punches and better punches... The referee was clearly a Kessler referee so he would have beaten him worse with neutral officials.. Froch just made sure he was on top of his game for the rematch and won going away.

Before the rematch Kessler said words to the effect, "I'm not the same guy who fought Calzaghe, Ward, or Froch in Denmark.. I'm more experienced and don't get hit as much.. My balance is better. I'm moving better and punching sharper.. so it's true I'm not the same fighter."

As far as Calzaghe-Ward goes -- that goes to Ward by a wide margin because when he was still a tyro he beat Kessler much more convincingly than a fully mature Calz beat him... Anybody who leads with their head like Calzaghe is going to get tagged up by a boxer of Ward's caliber.

If I only had a pound for every time a boxer said he was in there best shape ever before a fight

Again you're off the mark in this particular area

You are right !