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Is Calzaghe the Greatest of All Time? There are a number threads now dancing around this question. So let's just get to it.
PRO: Statistically, only Rocky Marciano has a better undefeated championship record than Calzaghe. Furthermore, Calzaghe has the best championship record of any boxer in 45 years (46-0 and no draws). If you go STRICTLY BY STATISTICS, then the argument can be made that Joe Calzaghe is the greatest boxer of all time (If you're in the top two or three statistically, then THE DEBATE IS AUTOMATICALLY LEGITIMATE). Furthermore, Cal defeated two solid ATGs (Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones, Jr.) while in his mid 30s and a cavalcade of hall of famers, champions, and former belt holders during one of the longest uninterrupted championship runs in boxing history. Stylistically, Calzaghe had a completely unique, almost freakishly athletic, style. NOBODY has ever been able to figure it out. He's the only major boxer I know of that is ambidextrous (both right and left handed) and this commonly results in a state of confusion that hampers the effectiveness and confidence of his opponents. Calzaghe is able to mix flurries of disruptive swat-like punches with zipping power shots to the head and body which leave his opponents dazed and confused. While Calzaghe has a number of early KOs/TKOs, the prescription most common in Calzaghe fights lay with the enormous number of punches (commonly reaching 1000 per fight) that Calzaghe is able to land which commonly results in a level of brutality that is at once surprising to the spectator and convincing to the opponent. Furthermore, Calzaghe's defense is as good as anybody that ever put on gloves. Few in history have been as elusive as Calzaghe and also possessed of a granite chin. Ali comes to mind, but not many others. Roy Jones, Jr., for example, was marvelously elusive in his prime but was burdened by a brittle chin. Moreover, few in history have been able to elude so effectively while attacking with both hands. Calzaghe's mastery of this form of attack and defense is unique.
CON: Put statistics aside and visually compare Calzaghe to Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, and Muhammad Ali (boxing's "Holy Trinity"). It doesn't seem that Calzaghe's unorthodox style can equate to the masterful technique combined with power of Robinson or Louis, nor does it possess the sheer beauty of Ali in action. While the championship records of Robinson, Louis, and Ali contain losses, those fighters fought a bevy of hall of famers and ATGs and their exploits are truly legendary and survive the test of time. Putting statistics aside it's hard to place Calzaghe (or Marciano) ahead of Robinson, Louis, and Ali. It's easier to see Joe Calzaghe in the second tier of ATGs (boxing "Heaven") with fighters whose championship reigns were undisputable according to their records, length of championship reign, number of titles won, and/or exceptional achievement. Boxing "Heaven" includes, but is not limited to, such greats as Marciano, Duran, Julio Ceasar Chavez, Kostya Tszyu, Leonard, Haggler, Jack Johnson, Willie Pep, James Jeffries, Evander Holyfield, and Jack Dempsey (all time classic from a different age). To further place the matter in context, boxing's third tier of ATGs (boxing "Purgatory") would consist of ATGs such as Roy Jones, Jr., Bernard Hopkins, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Tommy Hearns, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Mike Tyson, and so on and so forth. Boxing "Purgatory" is defined as that class of ATGs that for one reason or another, perhaps for personal reasons, record, or length of championship reign, reside in a certain limbo of boxing history. The fourth and final tier of ATGs reside in boxing's "Weigh Station" and consist of fighters such as DeLaHoya, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Lennox Lewis, Sonny Liston and others. The "Weigh Station" typically consists of new or still active ATGs of which boxing history is still in the process of sifting. But, there are those that will be consigned to reside in the weigh station indefinitely or until the winds of history determine a different verdict.
It's debatable as to whether Calzaghe now resides in boxing's heaven or purgatory, and the fact that he's still active may influence his ultimate place in the rankings of the ATGs. But, at this time Calzaghe's unblemished record, length of reign, and quality of competition fought suggests a tie to the great Rocky Marciano.
Ok. It's done.
PRO: Statistically, only Rocky Marciano has a better undefeated championship record than Calzaghe. Furthermore, Calzaghe has the best championship record of any boxer in 45 years (46-0 and no draws). If you go STRICTLY BY STATISTICS, then the argument can be made that Joe Calzaghe is the greatest boxer of all time (If you're in the top two or three statistically, then THE DEBATE IS AUTOMATICALLY LEGITIMATE). Furthermore, Cal defeated two solid ATGs (Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones, Jr.) while in his mid 30s and a cavalcade of hall of famers, champions, and former belt holders during one of the longest uninterrupted championship runs in boxing history. Stylistically, Calzaghe had a completely unique, almost freakishly athletic, style. NOBODY has ever been able to figure it out. He's the only major boxer I know of that is ambidextrous (both right and left handed) and this commonly results in a state of confusion that hampers the effectiveness and confidence of his opponents. Calzaghe is able to mix flurries of disruptive swat-like punches with zipping power shots to the head and body which leave his opponents dazed and confused. While Calzaghe has a number of early KOs/TKOs, the prescription most common in Calzaghe fights lay with the enormous number of punches (commonly reaching 1000 per fight) that Calzaghe is able to land which commonly results in a level of brutality that is at once surprising to the spectator and convincing to the opponent. Furthermore, Calzaghe's defense is as good as anybody that ever put on gloves. Few in history have been as elusive as Calzaghe and also possessed of a granite chin. Ali comes to mind, but not many others. Roy Jones, Jr., for example, was marvelously elusive in his prime but was burdened by a brittle chin. Moreover, few in history have been able to elude so effectively while attacking with both hands. Calzaghe's mastery of this form of attack and defense is unique.
CON: Put statistics aside and visually compare Calzaghe to Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, and Muhammad Ali (boxing's "Holy Trinity"). It doesn't seem that Calzaghe's unorthodox style can equate to the masterful technique combined with power of Robinson or Louis, nor does it possess the sheer beauty of Ali in action. While the championship records of Robinson, Louis, and Ali contain losses, those fighters fought a bevy of hall of famers and ATGs and their exploits are truly legendary and survive the test of time. Putting statistics aside it's hard to place Calzaghe (or Marciano) ahead of Robinson, Louis, and Ali. It's easier to see Joe Calzaghe in the second tier of ATGs (boxing "Heaven") with fighters whose championship reigns were undisputable according to their records, length of championship reign, number of titles won, and/or exceptional achievement. Boxing "Heaven" includes, but is not limited to, such greats as Marciano, Duran, Julio Ceasar Chavez, Kostya Tszyu, Leonard, Haggler, Jack Johnson, Willie Pep, James Jeffries, Evander Holyfield, and Jack Dempsey (all time classic from a different age). To further place the matter in context, boxing's third tier of ATGs (boxing "Purgatory") would consist of ATGs such as Roy Jones, Jr., Bernard Hopkins, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Tommy Hearns, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Mike Tyson, and so on and so forth. Boxing "Purgatory" is defined as that class of ATGs that for one reason or another, perhaps for personal reasons, record, or length of championship reign, reside in a certain limbo of boxing history. The fourth and final tier of ATGs reside in boxing's "Weigh Station" and consist of fighters such as DeLaHoya, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Lennox Lewis, Sonny Liston and others. The "Weigh Station" typically consists of new or still active ATGs of which boxing history is still in the process of sifting. But, there are those that will be consigned to reside in the weigh station indefinitely or until the winds of history determine a different verdict.
It's debatable as to whether Calzaghe now resides in boxing's heaven or purgatory, and the fact that he's still active may influence his ultimate place in the rankings of the ATGs. But, at this time Calzaghe's unblemished record, length of reign, and quality of competition fought suggests a tie to the great Rocky Marciano.
Ok. It's done.
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