Joe Calzaghe's brittle hands...

[Kris Silver]

Well, I hardly need post this, since you already know what I'm going to say, but I agree with you 100%. I can only imagine what a full strength Calzaghe, able to sit down on every one of his shots might have done to Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler, since he was able to hit both of them a great many times and when he did sit down, he hurt both of them. If he could throw with power consistently, I think we'd be looking at two KO victories against prime champs, and God alone knows what would have happened to Peter Manfedo!

That Joe, for me, would be P4P #1 based on talent alone, but as to whether he would be the actual P4P #1, it would depend on who he'd fought, and presumably he'd have fought the same guys he has done, meaning he'd still be P4P #2 - #4 as he is now. Still, its a huge shame that he did have to modify the way he fights, but testament to him that he is able to beat other fighters Plan A with his Plan B, and I don't think there are many other boxers out there who could manage to do that.

Good post bro, I think he'd have gotten one or two different fights had he retained his KO capabilities which are valued so much in boxing. He'd have had more KO's, better record, be more entertaining, renown, well known, more respected, better reputation, and better resume. As for what fights might have happened I don't know, but he's had to work hard to get his recognition, fought Manfredo just as a stepping stone further into the states. Had he have seriously hurt Bika or Manfredo, Lacy, I think he'd have had loads more hype and recognition, some of which in the states. So perhaps would have reached the reputation and respect level he retains today, earlier, and with even more weight. Based on that prediction and only even 1 fighter different on his record, more KO's, I think he'd be p4p #1, as simply no one would be favoured against him in SMW or LHW.

[Kris Silver]

To be honest I havent seen much of his earlier career. The first time I saw him was from the undercard of Tyson-Nielsen in Copenhagen, and he had the nights best performance by a mile.

So I'd like to see him as a kayo-artist (or at least with more power shots) if anyone can provide links to that I'd pass some green.

What I wonder is if Calzaghe relied more on power, he might leave himself more open for hard counter-shots, so maybe the brittle hands is a blessing in disguise as it has forced him to change his style.

A poster mentioned that Kessler has titaniumplates in his hand. Let me add that his american trainer Montoya is using a new technique taping up his right hand to protect a bad knuckle on his right hand. You can see his hand here on this recent shot: http://www.teampalle.dk/composite-1640.htm

(KrisSilver: I've found the link regarding Calzaghes potential stay at LHW. I'll post it in the thread.)

A lot of it is ppl not seeing or knowing much of Calzaghe early on and not seeing his KO power he once had. It's a great shame. Had he have gotten into the olympics which he should've, it too would have accelerated his career, and that would have exposed him earlier on and changed perceptions today aswell.

Calzaghe hitting harder is a way bigger pro than a con imo, he's a clever boxer. Throwing more punches today he's often open to counters, Hops did an ok job of showing that. But throwing harder he through a lot of punches still, and Enzo's style has always been to work on speed, as even Lockett recently said.

The Kessler one is interesting, thanks for the images, he's knuckle looks wierd lol. Calzaghes corners, I think Enzo's brother, commented once on wrapping up Calzaghe's hands carefully to protect them, I think he changed glove brands in the last couple of years too. I'd love to know more about what Kessler had done to his hands, what Joe has, and why he can't also get some metal or other treatment going on!?! abadger, any clues my man?

My favourite song, from my favourite film, featuring my favourite boxer, lol high cheddar value I know, here's a Calzaghe highlight vid featuring a couple of KO's, and harder hits. Byron Mitchell one is immense, Mitchell said he through his hardest shot, Joe was up in seconds and went on a spree, the shot that ended Mitchell in the same round, was as Calzaghe was leaning back, so not even 80% power, amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ceCwsa-tc

I for one shall dig up some more vids, hopefully some others can too..

[bsrizpac]

Most know Joe Calzaghe has long struggled with hand injuries, very early in his career he was told by a doctor he could not box, but persevered against the odds. Many accuse him of slapping without full consideration of the extent of his serious hand problems having effected him. He was a renown KO artist early in the day, knocked Eubank down in the first round, something big hitter Nigel Benn never managed.

He still has a lot of power which he sometimes uses when the risks are low, but generally given he's broken his hands in fights before, it's far too risky, painful and just not doable. It's testament to his ability having lost the attribute of being able to use his KO power and knock opponents out, he's had to improve on and rely on other area's of his game. If his hands weren't brittle then given earlier career power punches, and KO's, he'd not only be favourite in any match-up of a top SMW or LHW guy as he is without it, it's reasonable with it he'd be more so, and imo, untouchable and p4p no. 1.

Thoughts...

He wins by Olympic amateur scoring. Wahoo.

[Kris Silver]

Start

Joe Calzaghe Destroys Chris Eubank In A Stunning Boxing Match - video powered by ********

2:30

From start

2:00

[BattlingNelson]

Start

Joe Calzaghe Destroys Chris Eubank In A Stunning Boxing Match - video powered by ********

2:30

From start

2:00

Thanks for posting the vids.

Well Kris. TBH his punching in these vids doesn't impress me. Only his handspeed (as always).

In fact from the look of this I'd say that Joe has always fought the same way and I think that Calzaghe's handproblems stems from his punching-style. Not many clean all-knuckle power-shots gets fired. Try punch the heavybag with the same unorthodox (lousy?) style as Joe and I'll bet your hands are hurting tomorrow.

[x-PeROxiDE-x]

Start

Joe Calzaghe Destroys Chris Eubank In A Stunning Boxing Match - video powered by ********

2:30

From start

2:00

Excellent finds these, thanks a lot.

Chris Eubank- Iron chin, not even put down by the likes of Nigel Benn, who failed to do it in 24 rounds. Calzaghe did it in 1.

Tocker Pudwill- Joe gets a lot of stick for fighting him, as, lets be fair, he sucks, but he was a late replacement after yet another American ducked him. He had never been stopped though.

Mario Veit- 30-0, never been down. Joe was 30-0 too, this fight was deemed by many "too close to call".

Byron Mitchell- Never been stopped, huge puncher, Calzaghe KD for first time ever, but look at Joe's instincts when he is in danger.

Anyone who says Calzaghe couldn't punch after watching these videos is an idiot. Joe carries the same power now, he is just very choosy over when he uses it.

[x-PeROxiDE-x]

Thanks for posting the vids.

Well Kris. TBH his punching in these vids doesn't impress me. Only his handspeed (as always).

In fact from the look of this I'd say that Joe has always fought the same way and I think that Calzaghe's handproblems stems from his punching-style. Not many clean all-knuckle power-shots gets fired. Try punch the heavybag with the same unorthodox (lousy?) style as Joe and I'll bet your hands are hurting tomorrow.

It is not his punching style that caused his hand problems, he has always had bad hands, even when he first started boxing.

[Kris Silver]

Thanks for posting the vids.

Well Kris. TBH his punching in these vids doesn't impress me. Only his handspeed (as always).

In fact from the look of this I'd say that Joe has always fought the same way and I think that Calzaghe's handproblems stems from his punching-style. Not many clean all-knuckle power-shots gets fired. Try punch the heavybag with the same unorthodox (lousy?) style as Joe and I'll bet your hands are hurting tomorrow.

I wouldn't blame you for thinking that a little as those vids are just some of the ones I could find, and there's others with harder hits. But dude even some of those were decent punches. Most of those guys have taken big shots off other opponents, some never or just rarely knocked down. It wasn't actually flurries that usually got those guys, it was one/2 punches that were so quick you don't even see em, and they are hard.

The hit on Eubank was a spanker, you could hear it full on Chris's face. Mitchell was a delayed effect, of a quick hard punch from Cazlaghe on the back foot, and he went flying down still lol. Veit, was a cracking swinging punch, his face when he was on his arse says it all, he actually shook his head he was so shaken, eyes were dazed, he was ****ed lol.

Would love some other, and older vids tho, as it really was pre Eubank over 11 yrs ago, when Calzaghe had the name for KOing a lot in early rounds, and I cant find any really unfortunately.

[BattlingNelson]

Excellent finds these, thanks a lot.

Chris Eubank- Iron chin, not even put down by the likes of Nigel Benn, who failed to do it in 24 rounds. Calzaghe did it in 1.

Tocker Pudwill- Joe gets a lot of stick for fighting him, as, lets be fair, he sucks, but he was a late replacement after yet another American ducked him. He had never been stopped though.

Mario Veit- 30-0, never been down. Joe was 30-0 too, this fight was deemed by many "too close to call".

Byron Mitchell- Never been stopped, huge puncher, Calzaghe KD for first time ever, but look at Joe's instincts when he is in danger.

Anyone who says Calzaghe couldn't punch after watching these videos is an idiot. Joe carries the same power now, he is just very choosy over when he uses it.

That's definetely not a KO-artist in these vids. Joe connected with dozens of shots and none of his victims was counted out or out on their feet. Look at end of the Mitchell fight. Joe must've landed 20 shots and Mitchell still didn't go down.

Sure Joe can punch, but it's not exactly dynamite in those fists. More like slap-sticks

[Steak]

Excellent finds these, thanks a lot.

Chris Eubank- Iron chin, not even put down by the likes of Nigel Benn, who failed to do it in 24 rounds. Calzaghe did it in 1.

Tocker Pudwill- Joe gets a lot of stick for fighting him, as, lets be fair, he sucks, but he was a late replacement after yet another American ducked him. He had never been stopped though.

Mario Veit- 30-0, never been down. Joe was 30-0 too, this fight was deemed by many "too close to call".

Byron Mitchell- Never been stopped, huge puncher, Calzaghe KD for first time ever, but look at Joe's instincts when he is in danger.

Anyone who says Calzaghe couldn't punch after watching these videos is an idiot. Joe carries the same power now, he is just very choosy over when he uses it.

wait a second, what the hell? Benn definately put Eubank down in the first fight, it was in the 8th round I believe. have you seen those fights? Eubank was at his best in the 1st Benn fight, you should get a hold of the tape.

and you have to take into account that Eubank was slightly more worn down in the Calzaghe fight. he wasnt shot or anything, but he had seen better days.

still, Calzaghe was a good puncher back in the days.