IF JOE CALZAGHE didn't.......

A lot of people who have criticised Calzaghe on here seem to have only followed his career in the last three years, during which time he's beaten some big names but hasn't KO'd anyone. Well, apart from Manfredo - whatever you think about the stoppage, that fight shouldn't have happened anyway. Many of us have watched him a damn sight longer than that and the Calzaghe of now is a world away from the Calzaghe of 4 years ago when his hands finally gave up the ghost. I defy anyone to watch the Mitchell, Brewer, Woodhall, Reid (1 handed) and Sheika fights and say they weren't just some of the most exciting fights of the late 90's/early 2000s. He always had the workrate, but back then he had real heavy power and scant regard for his own safety let alone his opponents. Forget the Hopkins, Jones, Kessler and Jones fights - those are my favourite Calzaghe fights and probably what colours my opinion of him. I guess my point is I can see why some people don't like his work in the last couple of years. Me, I find it intriguing that someone who was effectively a heavy handed slugger when he started off his title reign is now IMO the best in-ring tactician in the business who doesn't have the hands to KO anyone anymore. I'd love him to fight again and for it to be like the old days - it wouldn't mean much legacywise IMO but a Mitchell style tearup with Glencoffe at the Millenium Stadium would be nice. Cracking piece of posting.

A lot of american fans like Joe just some on here dont, why i have no clue. Welsh are the true Britons! FACT! :p

A lot of people who have criticised Calzaghe on here seem to have only followed his career in the last three years, during which time he's beaten some big names but hasn't KO'd anyone. Well, apart from Manfredo - whatever you think about the stoppage, that fight shouldn't have happened anyway. Many of us have watched him a damn sight longer than that and the Calzaghe of now is a world away from the Calzaghe of 4 years ago when his hands finally gave up the ghost. I defy anyone to watch the Mitchell, Brewer, Woodhall, Reid (1 handed) and Sheika fights and say they weren't just some of the most exciting fights of the late 90's/early 2000s. He always had the workrate, but back then he had real heavy power and scant regard for his own safety let alone his opponents. Forget the Hopkins, Jones, Kessler and Jones fights - those are my favourite Calzaghe fights and probably what colours my opinion of him. I guess my point is I can see why some people don't like his work in the last couple of years. Me, I find it intriguing that someone who was effectively a heavy handed slugger when he started off his title reign is now IMO the best in-ring tactician in the business who doesn't have the hands to KO anyone anymore. I'd love him to fight again and for it to be like the old days - it wouldn't mean much legacywise IMO but a Mitchell style tearup with Glencoffe at the Millenium Stadium would be nice.

I still don't feel that Calzaghe is getting enough credit for beating Hopkins. Everyone was saying the same about Hopkins, as they are saying about Roy now. I'll look forward to Roy's next match, imagine if he beats a good fighter, or if Kessler starts to become on of the REAL big fighters. Or imagine Hopkins beating Dawson. The problem isn't his win over Hopkins, it's his absolute refusal to fight him again. But whatever, he holds that win and though it could've gone either way, his performance was absolutely impressive and deserves credit. The rest of what you're saying is hilarious though (imagine if Roy goes on to beat a good fighter or if Kessler fights a big name). Yeah, that would make Calzaghe look better but 1. Neither of the two has happened yet (at least one probably never will) and 2. Wouldn't you rather imagine Calzaghe in some big fights?

I still don't feel that Calzaghe is getting enough credit for beating Hopkins. Everyone was saying the same about Hopkins, as they are saying about Roy now. I'll look forward to Roy's next match, imagine if he beats a good fighter, or if Kessler starts to become on of the REAL big fighters. Or imagine Hopkins beating Dawson.

...clowned around and made a fool of himself in his US fights with ROY JONES and BHOP, would you think he would have gained more respect from the AMERICAN FANS..and the BOXING FANS in general? (personally I like him as a boxer and a fighter and has much respect to this guy specially for LACY and KESSLER fights but he is taking alot of flack and diserespect from a lot of people here in NSB...) Threadstarter needs to ask himself some questions. First, how does Joe Calzaghe not get respect? He is recognized as a top three pound for pounder in the world today by journalists worldwide. What exactly isn't being attributed to Calzaghe that should be? I don't think anyone doubts he's a HOF'er. So what is this lack of respect you're referring to? It seems to me the problem is that there is a vocal minority who thinks his accomplishments warrant more acclaim (what exactly?) and are mad that, generally, he's not viewed on an ATG level. Because that's about the only thing he isn't viewed as. Is this the respect you feel he deserves?

LOL Your an idiot and 31YO, jeez. Its Calzaghes style he did it throughout his career just as Roy did just against worse opposition. You know what I think??? You dont read post that are made in between the thread...lols Thats what ive been saying my dear old pal.....and i would like to repeat it for you.... lols It has been his style in the UK and people there like it but it was not widely recepted in US because it was done against old legendary US fighters that's why he is getting all of this flack.... Geez sometimes people tend to call other people idiot without even looking at the mirror and....LOLS

Keep telling yourself that, and maybe one day you might actually believe it. Everyone knows being a black american gets you a free ride on these forums, anyone who criticises you is automatically racist. White fighters (especially non-american white fighters) have it harder here, FACT. That's BS and you know it.. Black people having it easy? PLEASE!!! GTFOH

LOL Your an idiot and 31YO, jeez. Its Calzaghes style he did it throughout his career just as Roy did just against worse opposition. People are still bitter about the Jones fight? Holy shit. The tables were turned for once (and once only), so it's no surprise that Jones fans are angry about it, but really it's pathetic. Roy got a taste of his own medicine, and the hardcore Jones fans were expecting Roy to be the one showboating against Calzaghe (which they would have loved). Nobody said shit when Roy was showboating against dudes that clearly shouldn't have even been in the same ring as him back in the day. Don't get me wrong, I am a Jones fan (not a fanatic) but I never liked his showboating, most of it was irritating, but I would never ramble on about it for months after a fight. 100% free webcam site! | Awesome chicks and it is absolutely free! | Watch free live sex cam - easy as 1-2-3

LOL Your an idiot and 31YO, jeez. Its Calzaghes style he did it throughout his career just as Roy did just against worse opposition. Calzaghe got flack and disrespect from the same people even before he fought Hopkins and Jones.

Are serious? I find it hard to believe. So let's get this right... you like Hatton because he lost to Mayweather and for who he might fight in the future? Who doesn't have a padded record? Hopkins fighting Morade Hakkar instead of Joe Calzaghe back in 2002? Marvin Hagler fighting a dude with 38 losses for his 45th pro fight back in 1978? Warren hasn't done shit, btw. Nobody ****ing believes what he says anyway. I mean, do you believe Warren when he says "Prime Roy Jones never wanted any part of Joe Calzaghe, he always priced himself out of a fight."? I do actually, but only because I have heard Roy say the same thing.

Fact of the matter is he has a padded record. Reason why Hatton gets more respect is because he fought Mayweather, would have fought DLH and will probably fight Pac. Hatton was protect earlier on when he was with Warren, but left him and his career was better. With Calzaghe about to retire, only then has he fired Warren. Warren has expsoed Calzaghe's flaws and desires to pull out of fights. I'm not looking at race or anything like that, anyone who does is an idiot. I'm saing how it is Are serious? I find it hard to believe. So let's get this right... you like Hatton because he lost to Mayweather and for who he might fight in the future? Who doesn't have a padded record? Hopkins fighting Morade Hakkar instead of Joe Calzaghe back in 2002? Marvin Hagler fighting a dude with 38 losses for his 45th pro fight back in 1978? Warren hasn't done shit, btw. Nobody ****ing believes what he says anyway. I mean, do you believe Warren when he says "Prime Roy Jones never wanted any part of Joe Calzaghe, he always priced himself out of a fight."? 100% free webcam site! | Awesome chicks and it is absolutely free! | Watch free live sex cam - easy as 1-2-3

Fact of the matter is he has a padded record. Reason why Hatton gets more respect is because he fought Mayweather, would have fought DLH and will probably fight Pac. Hatton was protect earlier on when he was with Warren, but left him and his career was better. With Calzaghe about to retire, only then has he fired Warren. Warren has expsoed Calzaghe's flaws and desires to pull out of fights. I'm not looking at race or anything like that, anyone who does is an idiot. I'm saing how it is Everyone has a padded record, it's how you progress you're fighter to world championship status, you line him up against a string of bums, each slightly better than the last. I would also like you to point out which fighters have called Calzaghe out over the years, and hear your views as to why he didn't fight them. If his record is so padded, you should be able to do this with ease, so go ahead, impress me.

Fact of the matter is he has a padded record. Reason why Hatton gets more respect is because he fought Mayweather, would have fought DLH and will probably fight Pac. Hatton was protect earlier on when he was with Warren, but left him and his career was better. With Calzaghe about to retire, only then has he fired Warren. Warren has expsoed Calzaghe's flaws and desires to pull out of fights. I'm not looking at race or anything like that, anyone who does is an idiot. I'm saing how it is

its got nothin to do with being black or american Keep telling yourself that, and maybe one day you might actually believe it. Everyone knows being a black american gets you a free ride on these forums, anyone who criticises you is automatically racist. White fighters (especially non-american white fighters) have it harder here, FACT.

Yet Jermain Taylor gets credit for it not only once, but twice. But then again, JT IS a black American... thats because taylor beat or atleast arguably beat, a younger and better hopkins at b-hops best weight, when he was still on hes streak of defences its got nothin to do with being black or american

i dont really like or care for joe but i can respect the skills he has and respect him for being a fighter.. i dont really enjoy the fact that he clowned and old ass roy but shit happens.. i would of liked to see how he would of fared against a prime roy but we shall never know.. i dont think he beat hopkins either but i can see how the judges gave him the nod.. my main thing with joe is in my opinion he never went out of his to fight great opposition.. he would of been embraced by the american critics if he would of came to the usa earlier ala prince naseem, lennox, hatton, etc

He acted like a petulant child in the RJJ fight, he was clearly dominating him and continued with all that clowning and taunting bullshit, people would have had much more respect for him if he fought the same way he did against Lacy or Kessler. Yes, I agree, Joe shouldn't have disrespected possibly the least respectful fighter of all time. He got no respect for the Hopkins win cuz it was too close, and none for the Jones win cuz RJ was old. Yet Jermain Taylor gets credit for it not only once, but twice. But then again, JT IS a black American...

He got no respect for the Hopkins win cuz it was too close, and none for the Jones win cuz RJ was old.

...clowned around and made a fool of himself in his US fights with ROY JONES and BHOP, would you think he would have gained more respect from the AMERICAN FANS..and the BOXING FANS in general? No. Wouldn't have made a blind bit of difference. Any real fans would have appreciated a certain irony in both cases, anyway.