Doug Fischer: "I rate HAMED over CALZAGHE because of the caliber of opposition"

[SuckaPunch]

from Dougie's Friday mailbag
Posted Sep. 10, 2010 at 05:02am
By Doug Fischer



HAMED OVER CLAZAGHE?

Certainly. While I think you can make a strong argument for Calzaghe being rated above Hamed, I gave the former featherweight champ the edge because I thought he faced a slightly higher caliber of opposition and he challenged himself more, in my opinion. Calzaghe’s super middleweight reign was brilliant but he played it a little safe, which slightly tarnishes his legacy in my eyes. It took Calzaghe nine years after winning his vacant belt to attempt to unify it by facing another titleholder (Lacy in 2006). Hamed unified featherweight belts (against Tom Johnson in early 1997) less than a year and a half after he won his first title. Ten months after beating Johnson, Hamed took the U.S. by storm by stopping once-beaten former champ Kevin Kelley in a fight of the year-type brawl. Once Hamed made his U.S. splash, he bounced between the UK and America and fought mainly quality opposition, including Wilfredo Vazquez (who held a title, but was striped of it before their fight) and Cesar Soto (who held a belt).

I give Hamed credit for taking risks during his prime. He didn’t wait until basically the end of his career to make daring moves. I give Calzaghe all the credit in the world for thrashing Lacy and outclassing Mikkel Kessler to finally unify all the 168-pound belts, but I wasn’t very impressed with his U.S. “invasion.” I know it’s great to have the names of Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins on his resume but neither fight set fans on fire.

So there you have it. Hamed was a little more ballsy during his prime than Calzaghe was, which won points with me.

http://www.ringtv.com/blog/2305/dougies_friday_mailbag/

[Gorilla Dogs]

that guy is usually annoying but for once he says something knowledgeable. only good opponent calzaghe beat was kess.....thas it

[Run]

Not really hard to defend.

Prime Hamed was a more stellar fighter than Calzaghe. Actually it's simple.



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[boxasmash]

Calzaghe is far superior to Hamed.

[Run]

that guy is usually annoying but for once he says something knowledgeable. only good opponent calzaghe beat was kess.....thas it

????????????????????????????????????

Stfu and go police something you fake renta-cop.



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[k1llu]

for the first time i agree with this dweeb.

[SonnyboyReturns]

Hamed is a better champion than Calzaghe, it's a shame the Marquez fight could not be made.

[FLYBOY]

Who cares? It's his opinion anyways. It's subjective.
I rate Naseem Hamed over Floyd Mayweather in terms of ENTERTAINMENT.

[Gorilla Dogs]

????????????????????????????????????

Stfu and go police something you fake renta-cop.

well then name some other great opponents.....

[SonnyboyReturns]