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Based on his record breaking reign as champ, undefeated pro career, and incredible amateur record, he is already a more than credible candidate for greatest SMW of all time, which is to say it is not ridiculous to suggest it. His statistical achievements are basically unparallelled in the history of boxing.
The argument against him is based on his quality of opponents, but for me this is an argument that is very much "of its time". We currently have a boxing media that is extremely hyperbolic, with a tendency to blow up the most successful and even just favoured fighters as superstars, an untouchable elite who are the most skilful, unbeatable boxers ever to walk the face of the planet. At the same time we look back on fighters from the past with rose tinted spectacles, ignoring the many losses on their records and focusing on their "incredible boxing skill". Any modern day fighter who does not qualify for the "elite" is instantly dismissed as a bum, and any past fighter who did not is all but forgotten. These perceptions of elite and non-elite are also incredibly nationalised, with fans and media also tending to ignore non "home" fighters.
The truth is that this perception does not present an accurate image of the reality of boxing. Our so called "elites" are actually just very good boxers who happened to win when the attention was on, likewise many of our "bums" are very good boxers who did the opposite. Most boxers, with very few exceptions do not inhabit some stratified plane setting them apart from all others. It is an illusion caused by being a fan of boxing and consumer of boxing media.
So what does it really take to be a P4P ATG? An incredible record? Joe has one of the best ever. Unique and impressive skills? Check again. Joe Calzaghe must have the most unique styles and highest workrates boxing has ever seen, along with an incredible chin, ring generalship and boxing intelligence. Another check. Does he look like he could go up against former and current ATG's? I'd say so, so why despite all this, is he not seen as an ATG.
It all comes down to perception. Joe has not won the right fights, at the right times, to catch people's attention. In an era dominated by the US he has tended to stay at home. When he has beaten good fighters, he has made them look ordinary. He just missed the great era of SMWs that just preceded him. Simply, that little something is still missing for Joe to be recognised as an ATG at the current time.
I believe that if he beats Hopkins it will help, but ultimately, Joe will never be universally lauded as an ATG during his active career. In the future, as some modern day fans begin to acquire some brand new rose tinted spectacles, and look back on his fights through more neutral eyes, seeing for the first time what he can actually do in the ring, then I think things will change. The boy from the Wales with the Italian name and the incredible record will one day get the recognition he deserves, but unfortunately he will have to wait.
There's a LOT riding on this Hopkins fight.
________
CHRYSLER PHAETON
The argument against him is based on his quality of opponents, but for me this is an argument that is very much "of its time". We currently have a boxing media that is extremely hyperbolic, with a tendency to blow up the most successful and even just favoured fighters as superstars, an untouchable elite who are the most skilful, unbeatable boxers ever to walk the face of the planet. At the same time we look back on fighters from the past with rose tinted spectacles, ignoring the many losses on their records and focusing on their "incredible boxing skill". Any modern day fighter who does not qualify for the "elite" is instantly dismissed as a bum, and any past fighter who did not is all but forgotten. These perceptions of elite and non-elite are also incredibly nationalised, with fans and media also tending to ignore non "home" fighters.
The truth is that this perception does not present an accurate image of the reality of boxing. Our so called "elites" are actually just very good boxers who happened to win when the attention was on, likewise many of our "bums" are very good boxers who did the opposite. Most boxers, with very few exceptions do not inhabit some stratified plane setting them apart from all others. It is an illusion caused by being a fan of boxing and consumer of boxing media.
So what does it really take to be a P4P ATG? An incredible record? Joe has one of the best ever. Unique and impressive skills? Check again. Joe Calzaghe must have the most unique styles and highest workrates boxing has ever seen, along with an incredible chin, ring generalship and boxing intelligence. Another check. Does he look like he could go up against former and current ATG's? I'd say so, so why despite all this, is he not seen as an ATG.
It all comes down to perception. Joe has not won the right fights, at the right times, to catch people's attention. In an era dominated by the US he has tended to stay at home. When he has beaten good fighters, he has made them look ordinary. He just missed the great era of SMWs that just preceded him. Simply, that little something is still missing for Joe to be recognised as an ATG at the current time.
I believe that if he beats Hopkins it will help, but ultimately, Joe will never be universally lauded as an ATG during his active career. In the future, as some modern day fans begin to acquire some brand new rose tinted spectacles, and look back on his fights through more neutral eyes, seeing for the first time what he can actually do in the ring, then I think things will change. The boy from the Wales with the Italian name and the incredible record will one day get the recognition he deserves, but unfortunately he will have to wait.
There's a LOT riding on this Hopkins fight.
________
CHRYSLER PHAETON
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