How Do You Beat Calzaghe?

[Steel Town USA]

So, here's a question....if, when Jones and Calzaghe meet in the ring, Calzaghe administers a Kessler style clinic, or even worse, a Lacy type beatdown, what's going to be the general concensus at that point? Right now, a significant portion of this forum membership believes that Jones is not shot, that he's only a little past his prime, and that he'll handle Calzaghe with relative ease. And a largeish portion of those seem to think Jones will win by KO/TKO against someone who's caught some rockin' shots and never been seriously hurt.

So I ask...what then? Is it going to suddenly be a case where Jones turned grandpa overnight and was, after all, utterly shot? Or will Jones suddenly become overrated? It'll have to be one or the other, I'm sure, because there's very little chance those same people who are predicting an easy win for Jones are going to decide Calzaghe is more "elite" than they would've suspected.

Seriously, I'm curious what the response will be by those who are certain of a Jones win.

Look, Roy might not be TOTALLY shot, but he's clearly far past his prime (this is coming from a HUGE Jones Jr. fan). Most of the people claiming he's only a shade past his best are blinded by their loyalty to a great fighter. In the boxing world at large, I think it's generally accepted that Calzaghe is a big favorite going in and that Roy would have to pull a rabbit out of his ass to win.

That said, I'm sure hoping he does just that! Let's go Roy!!!!!

[Steak]

Hopkins had the right idea in that he tried to time Calzaghe lunging with his punches. One thing about Calzaghe is that he doesn't short step, he long steps. When an opponent long steps, they're fatter with everything they do because of the longer stride.

Also you need to keep him out of his rhythm with a consistent jab. Once he gets on his toes and starts bouncing around and getting in and out, he's hard to beat. Make him think and find new holes to get inside and throw because the longer he is at medium range trying to get in, the better chance you have at catching him.

Has anyone ever worked his body?

he was hurt by body shots in the Brewer fight, and was at least disturbed by the right hands to the body by Reid.
hes about average in his ability to take body punishment. no better, no worse than any other fighter. ability to take body punishment generally doesnt vary that much anyway.

[abadger]

You are my agent Smith.

Haha.

I thought you were mine....

****...

[Steel Town USA]

Pavlik = Slow, limited skill, predictable, comes straight ahead.

Yeah, I definitely believe your assessment of Pavlik's skill over Emmanuel Steward's. When Manny said after Taylor I that he was "completely shocked by Pavlik's skill level," it was either a lie or he's completely delusional. What's even more ridiculous is that he's continued to rave about Kelly's rapidly improving skills with every fight. Who does this Steward guy think he is?

Pavlik doesn't throw very straight, and his shots are all telegraphed horribly. His jab is nothing to write home about; he never doubles it effectively. And his work rate and power? Pah, they're way overrated too, just like his ability (or lack thereof) to cut off the ring.

Seriously though, you are always tearing Pavlik down for one reason: he's the main threat to your beloved Joe. At least I give Calzaghe his props and admit that he'd be favored to beat Kelly. But if you don't see that Pav is a real threat to your boy, then you haven't watched much boxing (oh, that's right, you haven't....only about a year and a half, right? HAHAHAHAHA)

[Sociopath]

You poison his fig newtons.

[abadger]

Yeah, I definitely believe your assessment of Pavlik's skill over Emmanuel Steward's. When Manny said after Taylor I that he was "completely shocked by Pavlik's skill level," it was either a lie or he's completely delusional. What's even more ridiculous is that he's continued to rave about Kelly's rapidly improving skills with every fight. Who does this Steward guy think he is?

Pavlik doesn't throw very straight, and his shots are all telegraphed horribly. His jab is nothing to write home about; he never doubles it effectively. And his work rate and power? Pah, they're way overrated too, just like his ability (or lack thereof) to cut off the ring.

Seriously though, you are always tearing Pavlik down for one reason: he's the main threat to your beloved Joe. At least I give Calzaghe his props and admit that he'd be favored to beat Kelly. But if you don't see that Pav is a real threat to your boy, then you haven't watched much boxing (oh, that's right, you haven't....only about a year and a half, right? HAHAHAHAHA)

So you're angry with me because I don't rate Pavlik, and are appealing to what Manny Steward says because you think that proves you right. Cool. I see Pavlik as being good at what he does, he has good workrate, a nice jab - right hand combo, good power and is young, so he will improve. I do think that he is quite slow and predictable though and that what he does is limited. I am yet to see any evidence of him being particularly skilful outside of the simple style he has shown in every fight so far. Sorry, I go off what I see in the ring.

[Chase8400]

Calzaghe's style is very difficult to work out, not least because he changes it to suit his opponent. I agree he is not a classical counterpuncher who stands off and waits for openings to throw single shots. He is however at his best when faced with an aggressive fighter who comes to him, in which case you might call him an "aggressive counterattacker" in that he will allow his opponent to attack, adjust his positioning and respond with a counter-flurry. Another favourite tactic of his is to throw punches that he has no intention of landing just so that his opponent will throw in return and create an opening for calzaghe to throw shots he does intend to land.

This preference for fighting opponents who come to him is why he looked bad against Hopkins, why his fight with the counterpunching Robin Reid was so slose, and why most favour him against Kelly Pavlik.

Points well noted. Counterpunchers do as you said, react strickly off of the motion of their opponent. Rjj is also not a pure counterpuncher. Their lead punches eventually equal to connecting in between shots from their opponents with proper timing & will amount to landing a shot that does more damage, etc.... Johnson got around this by swarming Roy the whole time with power-punches. Jones was not mentally ready for an assault like that at the time. He is now. Calzaghe will do the same thing probably, but will have less leverage on his shots and less of a chance to catch Roy with a one-hitter-quiter. In the Johnson fight, Roy was still in the fight at the time of stoppage without doing much. I am in no way comparing Calzaghe to Johnson, but the point is that the workrate can be overcame. The rest of the advantages belong to Roy, even now.

Moving on: I think that most of the boxing public thinks that Pavlik has a better than good chance to beating Calzaghe. He is very good at mixing his offense with his defense and setting up punches with the jab. Kelly never really puts himself in a position to have to use his legs and that would not change in a fight with Joe. Hopefully Calzaghe will continue to fight and rebuild his career recognition by fighting Pavlik after he loses to Roy. I will totally enjoy both fights no matter the outcomes. I'm sure you will as well.

[abadger]

Points well noted. Counterpunchers are as you said, react strickly off of the motion of their opponent. Rjj is also not a counterpuncher. Their lead eventually equals to connecting in between shots from their opponents with proper timing will amount to landing a shot that does more damage, etc.... Johnson got around this by swarming Roy the whole time with power-punches. Jones was not mentally ready for an assault like that at the time. He is now. Calzaghe will do the same thing probably, but will have less leverage on his shots and less of a chance to catch Roy with a one-hitter-quiter. In the Johnson fight, Roy was still in the fight at the time of stoppage without doing much. I am in no way comparing Calzaghe to Johnson, but the point is that the workrate can be overcome. The rest of the advantages belong to Roy, even now. Moving on: I think that most of the boxing public thinks that Pavlik has a better than good chance to beating Calzaghe. He is very good at mixing his offense with his defense and setting up punches with the jab. Kelly never really puts himself in a position to have to use his legs and that would not change in a fight with Joe. Hopefully Calzaghe will continue to fight and rebuild his career recognition by fighting Pavlik after he loses to Roy. I will totally enjoy both fights no matter the outcomes. I'm sure you will as well.

Hahaha!

I like it. If Calzaghe loses to Roy there is no conceivable way I will enjoy it, and I will say it is time for him to retire.

[Dorian]

You dont

[Chase8400]

Hahaha!

I like it. If Calzaghe loses to Roy there is no conceivable way I will enjoy it, and I will say it is time for him to retire.

So? If Joe lost in a very competative 12 rd. decision that was up in the air the whole time, with good action and maybe a KD or two. You would not enjoy that fight if Joe lost? I find that hard to believe. I would still love that same fight in the end if Roy lost. The Pavlik fight won't go down like that, so I will not touch on it. Either Calzaghe will dominate or Pavlik will.