Both great fighters. But Calzaghe without a doubt, based on these facts. He was 1-0 against Kessler, Froch was 1-1. And then add to it that he beat a prime Bernard Hopkins, and Roy Jones JR at the end of his prime but still in it.
Froch had the better resume.
Calzhage was more picky when and who to fight, including avoiding Froch who he perceived as a risk long before he was proven.
Calzaghe was already 36 and had fought his last fight by the time Froch had his first significant fight and victory (Pascal).
Yep. Calzaghe and Froch's careers never really crossed paths. The thing about them being rivals that never fought is one of boxings biggest myths.
Calzaghe was already at light-heavyweight when Froch was still fighting British title fights in the division below. He had already retired before Froch fought at world level for the first time.
So it was never even really that much of a thing back then. In modern day terms, It'd basically be like Andre Ward about to retire and Callum Johnson before the Betervbiev fight. That's what levels they were at when they were both active at the same time.
It only really become a talking point when Froch kept talking about it long after Joe retired, but the truth is they were at totally different levels at the time. Joe was fighting in big fights with Kessler, Bernard and RJJ and about to retire. Froch was fighting in British title fights on Mick Hennessy's cards.
Joe Calzaghe beat ATGs and retired undefeated. Carl Froch got outclassed by Andre Ward and needed a dodgey ref stoppage to save him in the first George Groves fight. Calzaghe also outclassed the best version of Mikkel Kessler.
Calzaghe's wins over a prime Kessler plus HOFer B-Hop ****s on everything Froch has ever done. Even Joe's win over an older Eubank is better than all of Froch's wins bar Pascal and Groves.
Ducked him to come over to America and fight a legend and pound for pound top 5 guy and lineal 175-champ in Hopkins? Froch is delusional.
Calzaghe offered Froch a fight to which Froch said he wasn't ready.
Calzaghe went even further, insisting: “If anyone asked Frank Warren (Calzaghe’s former promoter) he’d tell you the same thing. We never ducked Carl, Carl ducked us. I’ve never made it public before, but he rejected the chance to face me, once upon a time.”
“Who has Carl ever beaten, who was the absolute man of their division? Not a single guy he’s beaten,” he said.
“He beat Kessler long after his peak and dined out on it for ages.
https://www.*************.com/threads/proof-froch-ducked-calzaghe.315939/page-4
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/12969186.carl-ducked-me-joe-calzaghe-blasts-back-at-rival-froch/
Calzaghe was already 36 and had fought his last fight by the time Froch had his first significant fight and victory (Pascal).
sure thing :dance::dance::dance:
arguing about who did better against robin reid lol. both these guys were frauds. early stoppage joe who didnt fight a fresh opponent until jeff lacy(who sucked) and then finally took a challenge with kessler. froch fought ward, bute who was #1, abraham who became #1 after losing, groves who became #1 after losing, and pascal who became #1 after losing to froch. besides kessler and hopkins did any of the guys joe fought do anything? nope. he also beat kessler twice in my view but at least once and thats joes best win. i guess calzaghe has that gift win over hopkins even though he couldn't land anything clean for basically the entire fight. what skill
hey i really like your sig, man. :boxing:
Reid was fairly close but a clear win 8-4 or 7-5 with a deduction too. Reid was robbed against Ottke when he was way past his best.
sure thing :dance::dance::dance:
arguing about who did better against robin reid lol. both these guys were frauds. early stoppage joe who didnt fight a fresh opponent until jeff lacy(who sucked) and then finally took a challenge with kessler. froch fought ward, bute who was #1, abraham who became #1 after losing, groves who became #1 after losing, and pascal who became #1 after losing to froch. besides kessler and hopkins did any of the guys joe fought do anything? nope. he also beat kessler twice in my view but at least once and thats joes best win. i guess calzaghe has that gift win over hopkins even though he couldn't land anything clean for basically the entire fight. what skill
calzaghe dominated robin reid? no a lot of people thought he lost that one. at least ottke fought glen johnson a guy calzaghe clearly ducked. his promoter had to pay glen johnson in advance in case calzaghe pulled out...and he did of course lol
Reid was fairly close but a clear win 8-4 or 7-5 with a deduction too. Reid was robbed against Ottke when he was way past his best.
Including multiple questionable decisions against guys that Calzaghe dominated.
calzaghe dominated robin reid? no a lot of people thought he lost that one. at least ottke fought glen johnson a guy calzaghe clearly ducked. his promoter had to pay glen johnson in advance in case calzaghe pulled out...and he did of course lol
hmm that sounds good until you realize ottke did the same thing at the very same time in the very same division.
Including multiple questionable decisions against guys that Calzaghe dominated.