BoxRec

In a prime for prime matchup, who would get the better of it? There's a strange symmetry to their careers:

Michalczewski won the WBO title vs the underrated Leeonzer Barber, made several sub par defenses, unified the WBA and IBF championships by dominating World #1 Virgil Hill a couple of years later. Then he is relieved of the WBA and IBF belts (IBF insisted he fight Guthrie in 30 days, WBA policy was to strip a guy for wearing WBO in public with the WBA belt), and then continues 23 defenses of his WBO crown, while Jones Jr grabs the belts taken from DM...

Calzaghe beats a Eubank who was a bit better at that stage than given credit for (nearly KOs Thompson in his next fight, at cruiser), alternates good and poor opponents, and after a shitload of title defenses unifies the WBO and IBF belts vs Lacy.

At 175, who wins? DM's strength and jab are awesome. Calzaghe's not a hit and mover, and is also a short puncher so he'd possibly spend a lot of time in DM's range. Calzaghe a lot faster with better variety, DM with that habit of starting slowly and eventually making you want to give up with stifling pressure...Both men have superhuman stamina at their best, both men have been able to perofrm at a very high level, both men have let themselves down by taking on unworthy opponents at times...

viciousmaussa wrote:In a prime for prime matchup, who would get the better of it? There's a strange symmetry to their careers:

Michalczewski won the WBO title vs the underrated Leeonzer Barber, made several sub par defenses, unified the WBA and IBF championships by dominating World #1 Virgil Hill a couple of years later. Then he is relieved of the WBA and IBF belts (IBF insisted he fight Guthrie in 30 days, WBA policy was to strip a guy for wearing WBO in public with the WBA belt), and then continues 23 defenses of his WBO crown, while Jones Jr grabs the belts taken from DM...

Calzaghe beats a Eubank who was a bit better at that stage than given credit for (nearly KOs Thompson in his next fight, at cruiser), alternates good and poor opponents, and after a shitload of title defenses unifies the WBO and IBF belts vs Lacy.

At 175, who wins? DM's strength and jab are awesome. Calzaghe's not a hit and mover, and is also a short puncher so he'd possibly spend a lot of time in DM's range. Calzaghe a lot faster with better variety, DM with that habit of starting slowly and eventually making you want to give up with stifling pressure...Both men have superhuman stamina at their best, both men have been able to perofrm at a very high level, both men have let themselves down by taking on unworthy opponents at times...

Depends on the date, of course. Prime Michalczevski - the guy who beat up Virgil Hill and made short work of Montell Griffin - would have been too big and strong for any super-middleweight (with the exception of RJJ, if you wish). Calzaghe's style - take the fight to the slugger - would actually have played into his hands.

The older, slower Michalczevski could have been outboxed by a fighter with outstanding footspeed - which is not necessarily Calzaghe though.

The peak (1997-2001) Michalczewski was very hard to beat. I was hugely impressed by his 2nd fight with Rocchigiani and the win over Hill. Those were class fighters he beat. There was always a sense that Dariusz would get the opponent in the end. I think the way to beating him is a perilous one that needs perfect execution. The key would be to surprise him by getting your shots off first. Calzaghe has the fast hands to fluster him and - as we saw with Lacy (admittedly, vastly inferior to DM) - pivot away and use angles. That subtle movement would be crucial, as Dariusz could take time to re-set himself. Calzaghe actually has the style to do that, but could he keep it up in the face of DM's strength and educated style of pressure?

DM, I know he was past it, didn't like eating up quick shots inside vs Tiozzo. A great fantasy matchup, IMO

Great fight. I dont see Joe being able to avoid that jab all night, I think JC would get slowly broken down and eventually stopped late, especially at 175. Calzaghe though is not one to be underrated, he may be the smaller man but he was more skilled than Dariusz to be sure. His quick hands wouldve given DM trouble, but imo he doesnt have the kind of movement and defense it would take to keep out of harms way for all twelve rounds.

Rocchi's combinations and underrated speed from the lefty stance gave Dariusz some trouble. He was losing the 1st fight and the 2nd was a classic where the body shots he was landing all night paid off late. So I think Calzaghe's speed at close/medium range would be troubling. Calzaghe would start the better. If, say, DM could find a breakthrough after 3 or 4 frustrating rounds, he's take over by round nine. Joe would need all his grit to rally through.

I was blown away by Calzaghe's stamina against Lacy. The amount of punches he threw was unreal for a super middle. Obviously it's easier to do when things are going your way. Could he do that in the championship rds against one of the finest bruisers of the late '90s?

Tantum wrote:http://img82. .us/img82/1905/1 ... 3585at.gif

Great contribution to the thread Tantum, as always.

I guess you didn't catch the meaning behind it...