Joe Calzaghe is a beast, but.

[Run]

Who has he beaten outside of Jeff Lacy and a washed up Eubank?

How can people rank him so high on a "P4P" scale if he's never fought outside of his backyard, and all he fights is mediocre opposition? I was sure Lacy was the real deal and I still think he can rebuild his career.........but the same people who claim Cal belongs ranked high on a "P4P" scale, are usually the same ones who make threads bashing Lacy and calling him "1-dimmensional".

If he's nothing special and a mere hypejob...what does that say about the level of opposition Calzaghe is facing? If anything I'd rank him on a scale but let's get realistic. There's a criteria for being considered one of the best fighters, and that usually means having beaten someone with a remote pulse outside of a prospect or washed up was "pretty good" not "great" fighter in Chris Eubank.



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[Guest]

I agree, largely.

I think a lot of this is down to just what qualifies as "P4P", which seems a grey area. Is it achievement-orientated, hypothetical or a bit of both? The most curious entry on the list is Pongsmelly PingPongJam, who gets in there, despite the Ring admitting he fights **** opposition on the daily.

The whole concept is theoretical (and taken way too seriously on this board at times, and in real life if Floyd's interviews are anything to go by)... "what if all the boxers in the world were the same weight, who would be the best?"

On THAT criteria, then I think there's a very fair argument to be had that Joe Blow WOULD make the top ten on skills alone. But like I and you say, at the present that's very hypothetical. But as the entire concept is BASED on a hypothetical construct, how far do we allow it leeway?

[Tuggers1986]

i think its because people are rating him on what they think he could do. not what hes done

[kayjay]

Pound-for-pound is a silly idea. IMO the heavier the weight the more important the fight(er). As I always say, boxing is just fighting except with class and dignity. I could never tell people I could kick their ass if I weighed the same they did, so why should we treat boxers like that?

Floyd Mayweather is not 'p4p', he's the welterweight champion and that's a fine accomplishment.

Too much beer with lunch today forgive this post.

[GEOFFHAYES]

RunW/Knives, earlier in the year Calzaghe put in the most impressive performance you've ever seen (that's what you said) - that makes him your lb4lb #1.

As for Chris Eubank being 'pretty good', kind of funny

What Calzaghe showed against Eubank was incredible confidence and incredible punching power at that time. Nobody had opponents intimidated like Eubank, and nobody could budge Eubank. The confidence Calzgahe displayed on the walk-in to the ring and staredown in the ring was amazing and the power he displayed in sending him (EUBANK) across the ring like that in about 15 seconds was ridiculous. It was no real achievement in beating Eubank - Dan Sherry did, Ray Close did, Nigel Benn did, Mauricio Amaral did, Dan Schommer did and Steve Collins did, but what he did to EUBANK was ****ing abnormal.

[GEOFFHAYES]

that makes him your lb4lb #1.

That's if we base lb4lb on skill and performance, like it always used to be. Like when Tyson was lb4lb #1 in '86, when Jones Jr was a lb4lber in '92, and when Toney was #2 lb4lb after the Barkley fight (having never been on a lb4lb list before).

These days everything seems taken over by 'opposition obsession'.

[Run]

RunW/Knives, earlier in the year Calzaghe put in the most impressive performance you've ever seen (that's what you said) - that makes him your lb4lb #1.

Right, that was the most impressive win I've ever seen. It was like watching a person I thought was going to get knocked out going into the fight totally dominate. That doesn't mean he becomes "P4P" number 1 and I'd like you to find the post where I ranked him anywhere near the top five.

One boxing performance against a prospect doesn't cut it when it comes to ranking someone at the 1 spot, because that would be ridiculous.

As for Chris Eubank being 'pretty good', kind of funny

Ok then average. Because nobody on earth outside of Eubank himself would ever rate him as a great fighter outside of you.

What Calzaghe showed against Eubank was incredible confidence and incredible punching power at that time. Nobody had opponents intimidated like Eubank, and nobody could budge Eubank. The confidence Calzgahe displayed on the walk-in to the ring and staredown in the ring was amazing and the power he displayed in sending him (EUBANK) across the ring like that in about 15 seconds was ridiculous. It was no real achievement in beating Eubank - Dan Sherry did, Ray Close did, Nigel Benn did, Mauricio Amaral did, Dan Schommer did and Steve Collins did, but what he did to EUBANK was ****ing abnormal.

Right and more chit chat about one fight against a washed up has been. So I take it most of Calzaghe's "P4P" status is dependent on how intimidating he looks walking into the ring? That whole paragraph is an exploitation of Calzaghe whipping on a corpse. It's that simple.

"Eubank intimidated everyone"------------LAWL



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[GEOFFHAYES]

So it's turned into another Eubank-hating session, out of jealousy. Get over it. Yes, his opponents were intimidated (there was an almost indescribable presence about him) unless your blind as a bat - get over it. Yes, he probably recieved more attention than any person in Britain at one point - get over it. Yes, he was the most incredible thing we've seen in a boxing ring - get over it.

You said in posts that the way Calzaghe fought against Lacy would beat anybody in the sport and that you'd never seen a performance like it, I remember clearly, I can dig them out if you want? Based on skill and ability and performance (which is what it's all about - atleast it always used to be), Calzaghe is clearly one of the best 'lb4lb' out there. Some of the stuff he showed in the Lacy fight gave me flashbacks to Leonard and Hearns and reminded me of things I'd seen from Robinson, but maybe I was watching a different fight to everyone else??

[Pugilistic™]

i think its because people are rating him on what they think he could do. not what hes done

well said mate. i was thinking the same thing

[GEOFFHAYES]

Oh and to American's who have never seen them fight, Robin Reid and Richie Woodhall may be mediocre opposition - but in British Boxing they are considered elite. Calzaghe proved himself the best of the 'Three Amigos' by beating them.

Watch Reid at his counter-punching best (Nardiello, Wharton, Ottke), or watch any Richie fight and you'll see an excellent technician. Both Olympic medalists and WBC champs.

Also, what about Charles Brewer and Byron Mitchell??