Calzaghe on Cleverly: "There is Only One of Me"

[Stickman]

This thread is too ad hominem for my tastes. Calzaghe was great, not a top 10 p4p all time but still a great fighter.

And for those of you who don't know what he said, it means that people resort to personal attacks when they can't find any other way to present their argument.

The phrase is actually argumentum ad hominem, but is acceptable either way.

[CiganoBoxer]

Coyote Duran: This year's Ring Magazine World Super Middleweight Championship match between IBF/IBO titlist Jeff Lacy and WBO titlist Joe Calzaghe will be to 2006 what James Toney's IBF cruiserweight bout against then-titlist Vassiliy Jirov was to 2003. A highly anticipated fight that no one could wait for to come off between two cats who dominated a division that few care about. Add to it the drama of Jeff Lacy entering enemy territory, Joe Calzaghe seemingly having everything to prove and three trinkets and a genuine world championship and you have a potentially explosive battle and a possible candidate for Fight of the Year. But don't look too hard for the usuals, Howlers. Calzaghe will prepare to work the fight early assuming Lacy will start a little cold. But in the biggest fight of Lacy's life, expect ‘Left Hook’ to take the fight immediately to the Welsh-Italian and use aggression and his overwhelming upper-body strength to end the fight before the final bell. I'm thinking Calzaghe goes down for the count in Round Six and doesn't get up until it's safe.

Peter Chhim: Lacy TKO Calzaghe. Lacy is a beast. Add to that he spars with the best southpaw middleweight in the world, Winky Wright, and I seriously doubt Calzaghe will bring anything to the table Lacy can’t handle. Look for him to put a serious hurt on Joe whenever the two get into their heated exchanges. And because of the Englishman’s affinity to these kinds of exchanges, I have to think he’ll play right into the hands of the younger, stronger man. I doubt the fight gets past 7 or 8 rounds.

Rob Scott: If Calzaghe can take the bombs that will be thrown his way, then I give him a shot. Maybe my vision is blurry, but I don't see him doing that. Lacy 10th round TKO.

Aaron Imholte: Lacy breaks out in this fight. His power, determination, stamina and chin will just roll over Calzaghe. Lacy will start slow, Calzaghe will be competitive for awhile but look for Lacy, Calzaghe's first true test, to take over in the middle rounds and win the fight by stoppage in the 11th.

Martin Wade: Vargas-De La Hoya all over again. Lacy's ‘pressure’ is not always effective and Joe C has enough in his tank to weather the early storm. As Lacy starts to lose mustard on his shots (don’t let the muscles fool ya, he will) Calzaghe will start to come forward and land the crisper blows. Don’t get me wrong he won’t take Lacy out as Oscar did with Fernando, Lacy will make a late charge. Calzaghe will survive. Calzaghe SD.

Gabriel Montoya: This is a battle between my head and heart. My heart says Lacy is too strong, too iron-chinned, too youthful and just plain too much for Calzaghe. But my head says Calzaghe will be on the closest thing to his home turf, in the best shape of his life, is too much technically, has pop of his own, a good set of whiskers and way more experience in Championships fights. If Joe pulls a win, his entire Alphabet reign is validated. Something he should have tried to do years ago. If Lacy wins, he is officially The Man and The Man to Beat at 168. My heart is winning out. Joe will have his moments but Lacy's size, youth and power edges will win out. Lacy by 10th Round KO.

Wayne Richardson: I myself have little doubt that Lacy is going to walk through anything Calzaghe dishes out. Jeff is a young, hungry warrior. Armed with a great chin, strong fast punching ability and a tremendous will to succeed, Lacy wins this war of attrition by wearing down Joe in the sixth or seventh round.

Jason Petock: Over here in America we haven't really heard or seen much of Joe Calzaghe and what he is able to accomplish really aside of what we've read and been told about him secondhand. He has a few notable wins over Mario Veit twice and Charles Brewer and Omar Sheika, is the current WBO Super Middleweight Champion, and with an unblemished record of 40-0 (31 KOs) most of us are just waiting to see how he fairs against the powerhouse IBF and IBO Super Middleweight Champion Jeff Lacy, who stands at 21-0 (17 KOs) and is clearly looking to add to his collection. Both men have common past opponents in Omar Sheika and Robin Reid.

Personally never seeing a Calzaghe fight or him in action, it would be honestly hard for me to say whether he could beat Lacy or not. I'd give him a chance just like any other fighter, but from what I have seen of Lacy and what is still a question mark for me on Calzaghe, I'm going to have to go with ‘Left Hook’ on this one. Some people might criticize Lacy's technical delivery, but he drops bombs and I think he's just going to be way too strong for the ‘Pride of Wales’. Jeff Lacy is on his way up the boxing ladder and I think that his defeat of Calzaghe will only up the ante on the true worth of Lacy as a legitimate force in the Super Middleweight division and beyond.

Making a somewhat educated guess here, I'm going for Jeff ‘Left Hook’ Lacy by KO in the 2nd round. I think his sheer strength and onslaught is going to overwhelm the Welshman and leave him treading water for survival without a life vest.

Sean Newman: I can't see Joe taking this one. I really don't think Calzaghe can take Lacy's aggression and punch. And Lacy is going to bring it, fighting in Calzaghe's backyard. Look for Jeff to jump on Joe from the outset, and take him out via third round TKO. Lacy's chin has really yet to be tested, and I don't think he will give Calzaghe the chance to do it, either.

Benny Henderson Jr.: Calzaghe has the experience, has the power, has the skill, and won’t be an easy task for Lacy so on and so on, but I just feel that Lacy has it; he is young, hungry, and one bad mumbo jumbo! So I have to give this one to my boy Jeff. I say Jeff Lacy gets the hard earned W around the sixth or seventh round.

Julian Kasdin: Joe Calzaghe, though a long reigning titleholder, has never been the legitimate champion at 168 pounds. His entire legacy rests on this fight, as does the future of the 168-pound division. Some think that the future is Jeff Lacy; others think he is a product of an excellent hype-machine. I think Lacy will come out fast and strong, looking to test Joe's will and his chin. Joe should be able to keep distance for a time, but eventually his age and Lacy's strength and power will catch up with him, and Lacy should win this fight by close decision or a very late stoppage. Hopefully the winner gives the very deserving Mikkel Kessler a shot within the next two or three fights.

Anthony ****s: I’ve ummed and ahhed over this fight for so long and with just a few hours to go until the first bell I’m really no closer to picking a winner with any level of confidence. That said, I’ll stick my gut feeling and tip a decision win for Calzaghe, who’s handspeed, movement, ring savvy and experience should prove the difference providing he doesn’t get ****** in to exchanges.

^^^^^
And the Brits hype our fighters? lol. Never has a British boxer been hyped to that level before.

wow i now remember

[daggum]

I remember some time ago looking back at Calzaghe's career, and most of his opponents were pretty well thought of at the time of his fights, many either unbeaten, or coming in with a loss or two. Engineered? I just don't see it. Not as exposed to worldwide competition as some fighters, maybe, but that doesn't necessarily make the competition less stiff, just not as widely known. And when he did step up against US fighters, the results were impressive in every case (Brewer, Mitchell, for example, both were favorites going in, if you remember).

Again, not for me to tell a guy how he should run his career, or where/who/when he should fight. I can wish, but hey...wish in one hand, **** in the other, and see which fills up first.

well thought of? yea by their family and friends maybe.

too bad only 8 out of his 21 defenses were against top 10 rated fighters and manfredo was actually in the top 10 lol! says it all doesn't it.

[lest26]

can cleverly beat hopkins while only landing 6 punches like joe did?

do i see a trilogy with bobby gunn on the horizon?

if you actualy knew anything you would no that Calzaghe landed more shots on Hopkins than any other previous opponent, he won clearly and Hopkins is not past it despite his age, Hopkins spent the entire fight ducking dodging and running away avoiding getting in a scrap the best he could except one flash shot that floored Joe, it was a cawordly effort by Hopkins and awful to watch, no way he won and even if it had been when Hopkins was younger you could stil argue he wasnt in his prime as he would always be the older man, he didnt want to fight Calzaghe plain and simple, only when Calzaghe became of value did he entertain it, and whn it came Hopkins did nothing

[billfifty]

Exactly....and i DON'T understand why boxingscene keep posting quotes from Joe.....NO ONE GIVE A DAM......No one misses this guy.....a green Lacey, washup Jones, Old Hopkins, which he really lost....I mean this guy ain't Mayweather, no one is beggin him to come out of retirement. I sorry but every other day I see something posted about what Joe said, and i saying please tell me who cares?

[daggum]

if you actualy knew anything you would no that Calzaghe landed more shots on Hopkins than any other previous opponent, he won clearly and Hopkins is not past it despite his age, Hopkins spent the entire fight ducking dodging and running away avoiding getting in a scrap the best he could except one flash shot that floored Joe, it was a cawordly effort by Hopkins and awful to watch, no way he won and even if it had been when Hopkins was younger you could stil argue he wasnt in his prime as he would always be the older man, he didnt want to fight Calzaghe plain and simple, only when Calzaghe became of value did he entertain it, and whn it came Hopkins did nothing

wait you seriously believe compubox? 220 punches landed huh? too bad that has been proven false by many people who actually counted how many punches he landed(including me) i guess its your own fault if you choose to be ignorant.

[Iceta]

Calzaghe would do a lot for his legacy if he fought the winner of the Dawson-Johnson rematch and then the winner of the 168 tourney if it is anybody except Kessler since he holds a victory over him already. But if he's happy in retirement with his paper thin legacy and fat bank account, the only thing I can do is demand that he comes back and fights better opposition than the bums he built his record on. You can't drag a dog by it's tail.

[Porter's Dad]

Ahahaha, that second video is pure hilarity.

You know your resume is garbage when you're name checking Jeff Lacy in your career tribute song.

Hope it was worth the 79p from iTunes, Ricky.

[TOMA BOXIMG]

People stop hating calzaghe. He was a great fighter

Hell i evan think he could have beaten jones and hopkins in their prime. You cannot deny his skill and speed.

[The Underboss]

LOL @ this clown. He beats Hopkins in a controversial fight and never gives him the rematch but gives other Europeans bums rematches. Ducks Glen Johnson because of his broken heart and duck Chad Dawson and runs away to retirement.

agreed.