Calzaghe the greatest - McGuigan

[Kris Silver]

Barry McGuigan has backed Joe Calzaghe's credentials as the best boxer Britain has ever produced.

The Welshman extended his unbeaten record to 45 fights by beating Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas on 20 April.

"His record alone tells us that he's probably the best fighter we've ever had," former featherweight world champion McGuigan told BBC Sport.

"Also the amount of world champions he's beaten and the way he's conducted his life, he has to be up there."

McGuigan claimed the IBF featherweight title with a famous victory over Eusebio Pedroza at Loftus Road in 1985 and has a decent claim to the title of Britain's best boxer of the modern era.

But the 'Clones Cyclone' reckons Calzaghe, who has not suffered defeat in 18 years and who has made 21 world title defences at super-middleweight, could hold his own against any boxer from these shores, past and present.

"There'll be those old-timers who say he wasn't as good as Jimmy Wilde or Benny Lynch or Jim Driscoll or Randolph Turpin or Nigel Benn, whatever.

"Boxing's about styles and his style may not appeal to everybody, but he could well be the best boxer this country has produced." ....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7369798.stm

[abadger]

I always respect McGuigan's opinion. He's one of the best commentators on boxing in the UK.

The key point for me is when he says "Calzaghe's record alone means he must be up there." It's just common sense really.
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[good_looking01]

I always respect McGuigan's opinion. He's one of the best commentators on boxing in the UK.

The key point for me is when he says "Calzaghe's record alone means he must be up there." It's just common sense really.

He is a very good commentator and analyst. Speaks his mind and talks a lot of sense. Can't stand these other commentators who just talk on and on about nothing!!

[Kris Silver]

I take him very seriously, he's pretty chilled and knows his stuff, he doesn't care whom is best, he just says whom is based on decent assessments, so it's a decent endorsement. Especially when the articles right, he does himself have a claim to no.1 British fighter. Yet he goes on to not even mention himself, and says;

"There'll be those old-timers who say he wasn't as good as Jimmy Wilde or Benny Lynch or Jim Driscoll or Randolph Turpin or Nigel Benn, whatever.

That quote impressed me the most.

[hugh grant]

I dont know all the great british boxers who ever lived. But if there have been british boxers with records similar to JCs please let me know about them as i havent the time or inclination to research 100 or so years of boxing history.

There may well have been boxers who would have beaten JC when they were in their primes. But again have they got a record as good as JCs. If you judge by the record you would have to put JC up there. I mean JCs record is similar to that of RJJ apart from a heavyweight title belt.

[Mickey Gomez]

Barry McGuigan isn't British. He's Irish.

[Kris Silver]

Good point and an interesting one. I think many people say British and mean Ireland aswell, almost as a given. How else would you say it, United Kingdomer? Should prob say, but I think it's testament to the fact we do consider ourselves as one really. More just a technicality that one for many.

[Shem]

I like Barry. Always have.

[Mickey Gomez]

Good point and an interesting one. I think many people say British and mean Ireland aswell, almost as a given. How else would you say it, United Kingdomer? Should prob say, but I think it's testament to the fact we do consider ourselves as one really. More just a technicality that one for many.

Yeah all those Irish United Kingdomer fighters are really good.

But my favourite are those Russian Scandinavians from Africa.

[hugh grant]

Barry McGuigan isn't British. He's Irish.

True. To be a brit you need to be Welsh or English as far as i know. Whats with that UFC fighter with the funny arm in your avatar?