Calzaghe says he would've beaten Ward

[IRONFIST]

Former unified WBO, WBA, WBC super middleweight world champion Joe Calzaghe feels confident that he would have beaten Andre Ward - had the two fighters met years ago.

Calzaghe retired back in 2008, after winning a lopsided twelve round decision over Roy Jones Jr.

The Welsh superstar walked away with his undefeated record intact, 46 wins and 32 of them by knockout.

During his run, Calzaghe had key wins over Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, Chris Eubank, Sakio Bika, Jeff Lacy and Robin Reid.

In 2008, when Calzaghe left the sport, Ward was still an up and coming contender.

He won his first world title the following year, with a breakout win over Mikkel Kessler to capture the WBA super middleweight title.

That began a streak of top wins - where Ward cleaned out 168 with victories over Sakio Bika, Allan Green, Arthur Abraham, and Calzaghe's rival Carl Froch.

Ward eventually moved up to light heavyweight, where he captured three worlds titles and ultimately retired in 2017 - with an undefeated record of 32 wins and 16 of them by knockout.

While Calzaghe feels confident of victory, he's not positive the contest would be that exciting to watch.

“I think it would have been quite tactical, I think I would outwork him, I think it would have been quite a close fight because he is very cagey, also he likes to counterpunch, I’m also a counterpuncher – I like to feint and let fighters come onto me, like the Jeff Lacy style fight," Calzaghe told British Boxers TV.

“Andre Ward is a very clever fighter, it’d be quite cagey. I’d win the fight, I think it may be a bit like the fight with Hopkins in some rounds. It’s one of them fights, I think I would have beat him on points but whether it would have been a great fight to watch – I’m not too sure.”

[Loki]

Former unified WBO, WBA, WBC super middleweight world champion Joe Calzaghe feels confident that he would have beaten Andre Ward - had the two fighters met years ago.

Calzaghe retired back in 2008, after winning a lopsided twelve round decision over Roy Jones Jr.

The Welsh superstar walked away with his undefeated record intact, 46 wins and 32 of them by knockout.

During his run, Calzaghe had key wins over Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, Chris Eubank, Sakio Bika, Jeff Lacy and Robin Reid.

In 2008, when Calzaghe left the sport, Ward was still an up and coming contender.

He won his first world title the following year, with a breakout win over Mikkel Kessler to capture the WBA super middleweight title.

That began a streak of top wins - where Ward cleaned out 168 with victories over Sakio Bika, Allan Green, Arthur Abraham, and Calzaghe's rival Carl Froch.

Ward eventually moved up to light heavyweight, where he captured three worlds titles and ultimately retired in 2017 - with an undefeated record of 32 wins and 16 of them by knockout.

While Calzaghe feels confident of victory, he's not positive the contest would be that exciting to watch.

“I think it would have been quite tactical, I think I would outwork him, I think it would have been quite a close fight because he is very cagey, also he likes to counterpunch, I’m also a counterpuncher – I like to feint and let fighters come onto me, like the Jeff Lacy style fight," Calzaghe told British Boxers TV.

“Andre Ward is a very clever fighter, it’d be quite cagey. I’d win the fight, I think it may be a bit like the fight with Hopkins in some rounds. It’s one of them fights, I think I would have beat him on points but whether it would have been a great fight to watch – I’m not too sure.”

I agree with this assessment. I’d favour Calzaghe to edge it but it wouldn’t have been pretty.

[Uppercut1]

Yeah, that's a no from me, Dawg

[Thomastearns]

I agree with this assessment. I’d favour Calzaghe to edge it but it wouldn’t have been pretty.

Same here.

With Calzaghe fast pace and furious hand speed (some critics unkindly called him Calslappy) he would need to be stopped in order to be defeated.

Andre Ward with his limited output would not be the one to do it. Could very easily have been another boring Ward fight. One for the purists only.

Calzaghe v Froch would have been a lot more interesting.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'd give him a good shot.

Thing is, Calzaghe would have avoided him, like he did so many others until near the very end of his career.

Worth bearing in mind, Hopkins who most closely resembled ward, gave Joe a lot of difficulties.

I'd say it's a 50:50, but either way, who gives a toss. Joe had his day, and wasted much of his career fighting nobodies at home, so he should keep schtum and stop making a twat of himself.

[IKSRTFO]

What is he supposed to say? Ward would've beaten me? Calzaghe has his own legacy. At least he did say it would be close. Personally, I think Ward would've edged him.

[Enlightened-One]

Calzaghe doesn’t beat Ward (at 168lbs nor 175lbs). And I don’t think the Welshman beats Froch either.

I appreciate that my opinion will be in the minority, but I just can’t help thinking that Calzaghe’s era at 168lbs was pretty weak and some of the biggest name’s on Joe’s resume were either already past-their-prime, weight drained or categorically proven hype jobs.

Calzaghe was fortunate to beat Robin Reid and he also failed to grant him an immediate rematch. And I’m led to believe that Joe also rejected multiple seven figure payday opportunities to face Carl Froch, though admittedly the Welshman might have had bigger fish to fry when those offers were made.

Ward and Froch faced tougher opposition more frequently than Calzaghe did, so this likely explains the reason why they may have appeared less dominant than the Welshman was.

It’s just a shame that Calzaghe wasn’t born five years later, when the 168lbs division was much better.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Joe has an effective style to deal with ward and vise versa

Great fantasy matchup

Joe was very impressive against lacy and kessler. Roy was shot and he struggled with old man hopkins. Struggling with Hopkins makes me think ward beats joe. Ward had a similar style and wouldnt gas out like an old guy

I dont think froch could catch joe

[jamesmcdonnell]

Calzaghe doesn’t beat Ward (at 168lbs nor 175lbs). And I don’t think the Welshman beats Froch either.

I appreciate that my opinion will be in the minority, but I just can’t help thinking that Calzaghe’s era at 168lbs was pretty weak and some of the biggest name’s on Joe’s resume were either already past-their-prime, weight drained or categorically proven hype jobs.

Calzaghe was fortunate to beat Robin Reid and he also failed to grant him an immediate rematch. And I’m led to believe that Joe also rejected multiple seven figure payday opportunities to face Carl Froch, though admittedly the Welshman might have had bigger fish to fry when those offers were made.

Ward and Froch faced tougher opposition more frequently than Calzaghe did, so this likely explains the reason why they may have appeared less dominant than the Welshman was.

It’s just a shame that Calzaghe wasn’t born five years later, when the 168lbs division was much better.

Calzaghe was nearing the end of his career by the time froch called him out, and it didn't really make much sense as Froch at that time, didn't have much of a following either.

I think Calzaghe's style, workrate and toughness would have been a very hard night for Carl.

[IRONFIST]

What is he supposed to say? Ward would've beaten me? Calzaghe has his own legacy. At least he did say it would be close. Personally, I think Ward would've edged him.

Well Barry McGuigan admitted Azumah Nelson would've always beaten him, one of the most honest boxers since retirement.

[IRONFIST]

I'd give him a good shot.

Thing is, Calzaghe would have avoided him, like he did so many others until near the very end of his career.

Worth bearing in mind, Hopkins who most closely resembled ward, gave Joe a lot of difficulties.

I'd say it's a 50:50, but either way, who gives a toss. Joe had his day, and wasted much of his career fighting nobodies at home, so he should keep schtum and stop making a twat of himself.

Yep old man Hopkins floored him and personally I had Hopkins winning it by a round, Ward is a younger dirtier version of Hopkins plus backing from Conte and magic potions allegedly. Ward to get a decision win in the US, Calzaghe to get a decision win in the UK

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'd give him a good shot.

Thing is, Calzaghe would have avoided him, like he did so many others until near the very end of his career.

Worth bearing in mind, Hopkins who most closely resembled ward, gave Joe a lot of difficulties.

I'd say it's a 50:50, but either way, who gives a toss. Joe had his day, and wasted much of his career fighting nobodies at home, so he should keep schtum and stop making a twat of himself.

Yep old man Hopkins floored him and personally I had Hopkins winning it by a round, Ward is a younger dirtier version of Hopkins plus backing from Conte and magic potions allegedly. Ward to get a decision win in the US, Calzaghe to get a decision win in the UK

I can't recall for certain, but I think I had it 1 round to Hopkins too. It was one godawful fight though, Calzaghe was hitting thin air and gloves for the most part, Hopkins kept claiming he was being fouled and spoiling, it really was a bloody awful spectacle.

[DrDuke]

Ward would outsmart Calzaghe. He would spoil the fight enough to neutralize Joe. And I also pick Froch over Calzaghe.

[IRONFIST]

Yep old man Hopkins floored him and personally I had Hopkins winning it by a round, Ward is a younger dirtier version of Hopkins plus backing from Conte and magic potions allegedly. Ward to get a decision win in the US, Calzaghe to get a decision win in the UK

I can't recall for certain, but I think I had it 1 round to Hopkins too. It was one godawful fight though, Calzaghe was hitting thin air and gloves for the most part, Hopkins kept claiming he was being fouled and spoiling, it really was a bloody awful spectacle.

Yeah horrible fight to watch, I watched it twice only, second time just to judge it neutrally. Hopkins by a round.

[IRONFIST]

Also has to be remembered that Hopkins "Never lose to a white boy..." comment never helped him. In today's climate, he'd have probably got a UD win.

[Bujia]

People seem to be overlooking the fact that Calzaghe was 36 years old and past his own prime by the time of the Jones/Hopkins fights. Prime Hopkins vs prime Calzaghe likely doesn't go a whole lot differently as far as close, difficult to score matchups.

Prime Jones/Calzaghe goes a lot differently, but Ward was much more similar to Hopkins.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Ward would outsmart Calzaghe. He would spoil the fight enough to neutralize Joe. And I also pick Froch over Calzaghe.

I'd give ward the edge, but not Froch.

Calzaghe was incredibly tough, and his workrate was phenomenal, he could be outboxed, but only by slick operators, and that's not Carl at all. I think it would be similar to the Calzaghe v Kessler fight, with Calzaghe winning relatively comfortably.

[Bujia]

Yeah, sorry, but Froch has next to no shot. We're not comparing resumes. We're analyzing a head to head matchup. Calzaghe had far quicker hands and feet and was even busier than Froch. Froch was a bigger puncher, but I don't see him knocking Joe out. He'd lose a pretty wide decision.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Yeah, sorry, but Froch has next to no shot. We're not comparing resumes. We're analyzing a head to head matchup. Calzaghe had far quicker hands and feet and was even busier than Froch. Froch was a bigger puncher, but I don't see him knocking Joe out. He'd lose a pretty wide decision.

Exactly, I don't see how anybody can look at their styles and favour Froch.

[DrDuke]

Ward would outsmart Calzaghe. He would spoil the fight enough to neutralize Joe. And I also pick Froch over Calzaghe.

I'd give ward the edge, but not Froch.

Calzaghe was incredibly tough, and his workrate was phenomenal, he could be outboxed, but only by slick operators, and that's not Carl at all. I think it would be similar to the Calzaghe v Kessler fight, with Calzaghe winning relatively comfortably.

Well, I'd say, Froch was better than Kessler. Even his loss to Kessler was debatable.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'd give ward the edge, but not Froch.

Calzaghe was incredibly tough, and his workrate was phenomenal, he could be outboxed, but only by slick operators, and that's not Carl at all. I think it would be similar to the Calzaghe v Kessler fight, with Calzaghe winning relatively comfortably.

Well, I'd say, Froch was better than Kessler. Even his loss to Kessler was debatable.

Not much in it. Very well matched.

[goose 5]

IMO, Ward is not beating Calzaghe, even if they fought several times. I never agreed with the argument that Hopkins deserved the nod over Calzaghe; Joe deserved, it no doubt.

[Thomastearns]

Yeah, sorry, but Froch has next to no shot. We're not comparing resumes. We're analyzing a head to head matchup. Calzaghe had far quicker hands and feet and was even busier than Froch. Froch was a bigger puncher, but I don't see him knocking Joe out. He'd lose a pretty wide decision.

Yes, I think he would. Although it would be great fun watching Carl try. You know he will, right to that final bell.

Funnily enough the fighter that might have beaten Joe was the wonderfully talented Jermain Taylor. Alas, things didn't quite work out the way they might have or Taylor would be the one now mentioned alongside Hagler and Leonard.

Boxing is really one hell of a tough game, and sometimes talent is just not enough. Hopefully Jermain's getting all the support he needs.

[brilo33]

of course he could of beat ward , i think he would have if he was fit , i think in a way simalar brains , dont think it would of been a classic, but ward could of beat joe aswell

[jamesmcdonnell]

Yeah, sorry, but Froch has next to no shot. We're not comparing resumes. We're analyzing a head to head matchup. Calzaghe had far quicker hands and feet and was even busier than Froch. Froch was a bigger puncher, but I don't see him knocking Joe out. He'd lose a pretty wide decision.

Yes, I think he would. Although it would be great fun watching Carl try. You know he will, right to that final bell.

Funnily enough the fighter that might have beaten Joe was the wonderfully talented Jermain Taylor. Alas, things didn't quite work out the way they might have or Taylor would be the one now mentioned alongside Hagler and Leonard.

Boxing is really one hell of a tough game, and sometimes talent is just not enough. Hopefully Jermain's getting all the support he needs.

I always wondered if Taylors rapid decline wasn't to do with him killing himself to make weight, he was absolutely huge at 160, he looked to me to be cutting an awful lot of weight - I could be wrong, but I remember seeing a tale of the tape before his fight with Hopkins and I was shocked at how massive he was.