Joe Calzaghe - Highly Underrated

[Fightdoctor]

Joe Calzaghe doesn't get the credit he deserves , mainly because he only fought in Britain until the twilight of his career when he came to America to fight Roy Jones. Just looking back at his fight against Chris Eubank. Calzaghe was one hell of a fighter. tremendous speed, stamina, punch output , ring IQ and power (he did have hand injury issues). He also fought with a rhythm/swagger that is usually displayed by urban black American fighters (not trying to be racist - Canelo has also acquired it). What are your thoughts?

[margaret thatcher]

Great fighter but a lot left to be desired for his career

[bigjack]

Brilliant fighter,had it all and would be a real handful for any fighter past or present.

[Romi]

“Highly Underrated” by who: Fans/social media/ sports media/Boxing authorities? He was a 1st time ballot HOFer. Undefeated 46-0. Fans are fans and going to say whatever is on their mind via social media “Joe Calslappy” and other various derogatory names. Who cares what they think. There is a general disrespect towards fighters by countless un knowledgeable fans. I think the boxing media treated him fair. Had his share of notable fights on big time networks. I don’t ever recall any notables ever saying he wasn’t a special fighter. Personally, I don’t rate him the best 168 lber ever but he’s near the top. I’d put Ward, RJ 93-02 version, and Toney above him, but he’s certainly competitive with those three. Not a true light heavyweight so I don’t rate him there. I’d say his best win was v a prime Kessler. Hopkins was a good win v a top 170 lber but if you’re objective, Hopkins was 43....competitive but removed from his prime and it was razor close. RJJ was a shell of his former self. Lacy was formidable BEFORE Calzaghe ruined him. He was scheduled to fight Glen Johnson when Johnson was in good form. Wish it had come off. Johnson would have provided another barometer for where Joe stood. I think Joe was a special fighter and talent. He had excellent skills, speed, reflexes, decent but not great power, toughness that most can’t imagine and a will to win. I don’t think he was underrated. I think he was/is under appreciated....which unfortunately, goes for many boxers today.

[tiny_acres]

“Highly Underrated” by who: Fans/social media/ sports media/Boxing authorities? He was a 1st time ballot HOFer. Undefeated 46-0. Fans are fans and going to say whatever is on their mind via social media “Joe Calslappy” and other various derogatory names. Who cares what they think. There is a general disrespect towards fighters by countless un knowledgeable fans. I think the boxing media treated him fair. Had his share of notable fights on big time networks. I don’t ever recall any notables ever saying he wasn’t a special fighter. Personally, I don’t rate him the best 168 lber ever but he’s near the top. I’d put Ward, RJ 93-02 version, and Toney above him, but he’s certainly competitive with those three. Not a true light heavyweight so I don’t rate him there. I’d say his best win was v a prime Kessler. Hopkins was a good win v a top 170 lber but if you’re objective, Hopkins was 43....competitive but removed from his prime and it was razor close. RJJ was a shell of his former self. Lacy was formidable BEFORE Calzaghe ruined him. He was scheduled to fight Glen Johnson when Johnson was in good form. Wish it had come off. Johnson would have provided another barometer for where Joe stood. I think Joe was a special fighter and talent. He had excellent skills, speed, reflexes, decent but not great power, toughness that most can’t imagine and a will to win. I don’t think he was underrated. I think he was/is under appreciated....which unfortunately, goes for many boxers today.

Very nice post

[drunkenpiper36]

I liked him. He always showed up well conditioned and was one of the busiest men in the ring during his era in terms of output. Very good fighter. Be interesting to see how history views him in 20 more years. Hard to believe he’s already been retired for 10

[Ruthless-RKO]

There’s a great thread on the B&I section on him.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=210306

[jujigatame]

Underrated? Isn't he almost universally considered the best SMW of all time?

[Bandog]

Isn't he a "boxer of the past"? Maybe this thread should go there.

[polecateddy]

Most British trade papers rate him as the second best super middle after Roy Jones. Which seems fair enough. Fighters with decent records, which as Andre Ward and Carl Froch would probably have been edged out by high output of Cazaghe. His final two performances against Hopkins and Jones should be put into perspective, in that Calzaghe was plagued by chronic hand injuries that effected his training and his ability to punch.

[Rob Magic]

Unfortunately Calzaghe was with a certain promoter who had the WBO in his pocket and although he had a few decent wins on his record he also had a lot of hand picked opponents also it’s just a shame he didn’t get in with Froch but I will always remember how he destroyed a certain American who was touted as the next big thing.

[Paci]

Unfortunately Calzaghe was with a certain promoter who had the WBO in his pocket and although he had a few decent wins on his record he also had a lot of hand picked opponents also it’s just a shame he didn’t get in with Froch but I will always remember how he destroyed a certain American who was touted as the next big thing.

Haha, I do think Ottke had more random names.

[ewenhay]

We've done this a thousand times.

The time line for Calzaghe v Froch just wasn't there.

By the time Froch was in the picture, Calzaghe had moved up to have his USA swansongs at light heavyweight.

Different eras

[Lennox]

Unfortunately Calzaghe was with a certain promoter who had the WBO in his pocket and although he had a few decent wins on his record he also had a lot of hand picked opponents also it’s just a shame he didn’t get in with Froch but I will always remember how he destroyed a certain American who was touted as the next big thing.

Haha, I do think Ottke had more random names.

Ottke was number 1` Calzaghe was number 2 for most of the period they were boxing but there was some occasions Calzaghe was ahead
www.premierboxingorganisation.com/linea ... ddleweight
this link shows how bad the opposition quality was

[ewenhay]

Haha, I do think Ottke had more random names.

Ottke was number 1` Calzaghe was number 2 for most of the period they were boxing but there was some occasions Calzaghe was ahead
www.premierboxingorganisation.com/linea ... ddleweight
this link shows how bad the opposition quality was

Yeah but Ottke wouldn't fight out of Germany and away from the judges there.

Calzaghe was light years ahead of Ottke. Would have been completely one sided

[bigjack]

Ottke was number 1` Calzaghe was number 2 for most of the period they were boxing but there was some occasions Calzaghe was ahead
www.premierboxingorganisation.com/linea ... ddleweight
this link shows how bad the opposition quality was

Yeah but Ottke wouldn't fight out of Germany and away from the judges there.

Calzaghe was light years ahead of Ottke. Would have been completely one sided

Calzaghe would have absolutely battered him.

[margaret thatcher]

If Joe had beaten Ottke, where would it rank on his resume?

[ewenhay]

If Joe had beaten Ottke, where would it rank on his resume?

He'd have been undisputed. So that would have had resonance

But individually it wouldn't have been that big a deal. Ottke was an average belt holder.