Calzaghe's punching technique is impressive...

[El Dominicano]

I've never seen a boxer with such a horrible style like (Calzaghe) that has been sucessful and moved into the number 2 spot like (Calzaghe)

[Kris Silver]

Calzaghe looks bloody ridiculous at times with how he punches, I totally accept. But sometimes he lands well, it really is just how he has to treat his hands, because he didn't always wide loop like that so much. So, it is pretty impressive. It wouldn't be his first preference to fight like that if he was able not to and land solid straight punches all night.

Physically it's clever because he's mastered how to be quick with it, safe guard his hands but still land harder occasionally. Mentally it's impressive, as he has to really hold back sometimes to avoid damaging his hand with a dodgey angle. It must be extremely frustrating not to be able to wallop your opponent back with a hard straight punch.

[Pullcounter]

Because he does it so incorrectly (by most boxing textbook standards) and gets away with it. He lands plenty of winging punches and doesn't get countered very often. His incredible handspeed allows him to completely overwhelm his opponent, without having to even commit to his punches. Call me nuts, but I find that very impressive.

After all, punching technique is designed to put yourself in the best position to land punches and to keep you in a position not to get hit yourself. You throw a straight punch so it gets there first and so you can get your hand back quick for defense.

Calzaghe does the complete opposite of all that, and manages to dominate a lot of opponents.

I know you are going to say that Hopkins blew that myth out of the water, which may be a bit true, but keep in mind, Hopkins counter right might be the best punch in boxing. It lands constantly on... everyone. He will land plenty of them on Kelly Pavlik, mark my words. If it takes Hopkins counter right to expose holes in Calzaghe's punching, that is saying a lot about how good Calzaghe is.

Also, keep in mind, Calzaghe figured the counter right out halfway through the fight, and was able to keep doing what he was doing with his punches and winning a bunch of the later rounds.

his punching technique is garbage, but his undefeated record is based not just on that horrible punching technique, but also his southpaw angles and foot movement... and for some damned reason, calzaghe just knows how to fight instinctively.