Is Calzaghe the Greatest of All Time?

[Wiley Hyena]

JC will be underestimated by many. And i feel he wasnt as ambitious as he could have been. But he achieved all he set out to achieve and more so even.
Noone was able to figure him out. Not even BH in America. JC gave you the chance to beat him, but noone could.
He had to perform on the night and he always did. He always produced the goods, even when he wasnt 100%.

There have been too many greats in boxing. But you could put JC somewhere comfortably somewhere up there.

Nice post. He was relentless, aggressive, very fast with both hands, and had great stamina. Wasn't pretty to watch until you started to see the effects on his opponent, then it was a beautiful thing to watch. A bit like Bob Dylan in concert...a completely singular style that eventually wins you over.

[bojangles1987]

Realistically, you could put Calzaghe somewhere between 40 and 50. He is an ATG, but to say he is the GOAT is laughable, sorry. Guys considered on that level usually have everything skill and talent wise, or ridiculous resumes. Calzaghe beat some good names, but never beat another ATG at their best. Hopkins is close, but not quite that. He had talent, but not at some ridiculous level to excuse the resume. The undefeated record does mean something, but he is not in the top 10 or 20, let alone the best.

[daggum]

Nice post. He was relentless, aggressive, very fast with both hands, and had great stamina. Wasn't pretty to watch until you started to see the effects on his opponent, then it was a beautiful thing to watch. A bit like Bob Dylan in concert...a completely singular style that eventually wins you over.

[IMG]http://i243.***********.com/albums/ff212/slburrow/Manfredo.gif[/IMG]

simply beautiful

[KingTito]

I'm pretty sure I responded to this already, but NO!!! ABSOLUTELY NO!!!!!!!!

[Rickety Cricket]

No he is not.

[Wiley Hyena]

Realistically, you could put Calzaghe somewhere between 40 and 50. He is an ATG, but to say he is the GOAT is laughable, sorry. Guys considered on that level usually have everything skill and talent wise, or ridiculous resumes. Calzaghe beat some good names, but never beat another ATG at their best. Hopkins is close, but not quite that. He had talent, but not at some ridiculous level to excuse the resume. The undefeated record does mean something, but he is not in the top 10 or 20, let alone the best.

The thing about his talent...was what it did to his opponents. I mean, this wasn't a guy that obssessed over himself in a mirror while hitting a punching bag, or liked to show off his abs to admirers. Calzaghe specialized in breaking down the human body, in a frenzy, while at the same time presenting a very difficult object to hit squarely. No...this talent was indeed "ridiculous". And, the win over Hopkins was a stunner.

He definitely deserves to be discussed in the context of this thread.

[daggum]

The thing about his talent...was what it did to his opponents. I mean, this wasn't a guy that obssessed over himself in a mirror while hitting a punching bag, or liked to show off his abs to admirers. Calzaghe specialized in breaking down the human body, in a frenzy, while at the same time presenting a very difficult object to hit squarely. No...this talent was indeed "ridiculous". And, the win over Hopkins was a stunner.

He definitely deserves to be discussed in the context of this thread.

calzaghe breaking people down? what are you on. calzaghe's specialty was throwing a bunch of ineffective punches to impress the judges. he's the prime example of style over substance.

i agree with that. calzaghe was stunned he got that decision after being thoroughly beat.

[PittyPat]

I watched the Hopkins fight in HD for the first time (although fifth time overall), and had it closer - 114-113 for Zags. It was close, but certainly not worthy of a rematch. No matter how many times I watch it, I'll always wince with annoyance at how ****ty both guys looked in there. One of the worst big-name fights of recent memory.

[Wiley Hyena]

I watched the Hopkins fight in HD for the first time (although fifth time overall), and had it closer - 114-113 for Zags. It was close, but certainly not worthy of a rematch. No matter how many times I watch it, I'll always wince with annoyance at how ****ty both guys looked in there. One of the worst big-name fights of recent memory.

I didn't see it that way. I thought it was a great fight....tactically. But, that isn't Calzaghe's fault. It's called Bernard Hopkins. B-Hop could, and probably still can, hold his own with any great past champion of his weight class. He's brilliant. To say that because he lost to Calzaghe that Hopkins is not one of the greatest ever, is just ******. Calzaghe beat Hopkins. Frosting on the cake.

[deanrw]

Calzaghe will never make it even close to my ATG list. You know why? The reason is he always danced around danger his entire career. He tucked himself in safely and only went after the big names when they were older and slower.

Hatton will always get more respect from me. Ricky at least dared to be great and went after top dogs in their prime. That is what a true fighter does.