jamesmcdonnell wrote:Yes, his handspeed is very impressive, especially for such an aggressive fighter, and he punches with enough authority to stop opponents rather than just flurry and score points. Calzaghe also has very good lateral movement, and when he chooses to use it, good boxing ability too. He's can actually box at range and jab and poke his way to victory when required, it's just that isn't how he likes to fight particularly.
It's worth noting that Mitchell himself admitted after the fight that he was completely out of it when Calzaghe drilled him into the ropes. He said he would have liked to have had the chance to continue, but had no complaints about the referee stopping it. I remember his eyes rolling back into his head when Calzaghe laid into him, he was certainly hurt, and looked likely to take a lot more shots.
The thing is we haven't seen too much of Calzaghe's lateral movement and jab in his defenses, at least not against top notch opponents. Calzaghe's best victories all followed the same receipe: outscore and overwhelm an -- often stronger -- opponent from half-distance with handspeed and punch variability.
Against Lacy, Calzaghe showed some very nice infighting skills that I hadn't seen from him before; so he may well be more variable than he appears. But to establish this, Calzaghe would need to step out of his comfort zone and change the type of opponent he fights. No more ringbullies a la Mitchell or Lacy (or Glencoffe Johnson), but instead skilled counterpunchers with good defensive abilities.
pundit wrote:Calzaghe would need to step out of his comfort zone and change the type of opponent he fights. No more ringbullies a la Mitchell or Lacy (or Glencoffe Johnson), but instead skilled counterpunchers with good defensive abilities.
Anyone in mind?
There is this Danish chap - what's his name again...
Taki... wrote:A Calzaghe's resume bashing thread from Pundit... surely my eyes deceive me!
Compare Kessler's banner opponent to Mitchell, with common oppnent, Ottke.
Mitchell: wrong end of a home town decision.
Mundine: KTFO.
Like it or not, Mitchell was a top 5 SM when Calzaghe fought him.
Well I suppose you have the dictionary definition of home town decision there. Yes, the fight did go the distance, yes it was in Ottke's home town - BUT NO WAY was that an home town decision as we call it.... The decision was WAY to close from what it should have been.
Taki... wrote:A Calzaghe's resume bashing thread from Pundit... surely my eyes deceive me!
Compare Kessler's banner opponent to Mitchell, with common oppnent, Ottke.
Mitchell: wrong end of a home town decision.
Mundine: KTFO.
Like it or not, Mitchell was a top 5 SM when Calzaghe fought him.
Well I suppose you have the dictionary definition of home town decision there. Yes, the fight did go the distance, yes it was in Ottke's home town - BUT NO WAY was that an home town decision as we call it.... The decision was WAY to close from what it should have been.
I had it Ottke by 8 rounds.
So 10:2 for you?
I thought 8:4 or even 7:5 was OK, but it was at least 7:3 after 10 rounds, and in the last two rounds Ottke did nothing but running - he knew he had won.
