Joe Calzaghe VS Benn/Watson/Eubank/Collins

[Moschino045]

How would the Calzaghe that fought Eubank(past prime), Brewer and Mitchell do against Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank(prime), Michael Watson and Steve Collins at their bests,?

[oldgringo]

I think Calzaghe bests Collins, with his handspeed and ability being the difference. Those quick power shots would discourage Collins in exchanges. Calzaghe would outwork him in a high action fight.

The other three in their top forms all beat Joe C in my opinion. Eubank in his prime was just too good of an outside fighter and counterpuncher. He could do everything Calzaghe can and more.

Benns body punching and power would show up later in the fight. I actually think Calzaghe might drop Benn in the middle rounds with a quick hook, but Benn would still overwhelm him.

Watsons defense, jab and accurate power shots would lead to Joe being outclassed over 12 rounds. Watson had very good skills that showed against elite fighters.

Eubank UD12 Calzaghe
Benn TKO9 Calzaghe
Watson UD12 Calzaghe
Calzaghe UD12 Collins

[JUYJUY]

Benn beats Calzaghe by TKO9

Eubank beats Calzaghe by UD

Watson beats Calzaghe by TKO10

Calzaghe beats Collins by SD or MD


Benn at his best under Jimmy Tibbs would systematically take apart Calzaghe. Benn would be bobbing and weaving with good positional sense that Calzaghe lacked, he would be timing his forward moves. And with Calzaghe's open elbows Benn would hit Calzaghe with hard, accurate body shots while maintaining a sharp defence and clipping the head in close when the opportunity permitted.

Eubank at his peak sharpest in 1992/93 would just totally out-class Calzaghe, Calzaghe is too square on and would be too easy to hit with Eubank's quality arrow right hands that were let go without any warning. Eubank would be too sharp at moving in and out of range for Calzaghe's square-on attack-minded style to cope with. Eubank would stay out of range in the latter rounds, which Calzaghe would win on workrate if nothing else.

Watson would school Calzaghe, Watson was a master at using a high guard to prevent punches getting through and then placing his own punches as soon as an opponents flurry is finished. Calzaghe often neglects his jab and often carelessly drops his hands, Watson is all wrong for him. Watson was a slow starter but as Watson gradually picks up the pace he begins to take command of the fight more and more.

Collins would often out-hussle Calzaghe to pick up atleast four or five of the 12 rounds, but Calzaghe's flashier work would win over the judges on the cards. Collins style of continously coming forward would trouble Calzaghe by not giving him the time and space needed, but as the pace gradually slows down Calzaghe is able to pick him off with fast combinations more and more.

[JUYJUY]

I think Calzaghe bests Collins, with his handspeed and ability being the difference. Those quick power shots would discourage Collins in exchanges. Calzaghe would outwork him in a high action fight.

The other three in their top forms all beat Joe C in my opinion. Eubank in his prime was just too good of an outside fighter and counterpuncher. He could do everything Calzaghe can and more.

Benns body punching and power would show up later in the fight. I actually think Calzaghe might drop Benn in the middle rounds with a quick hook, but Benn would still overwhelm him.

Watsons defense, jab and accurate power shots would lead to Joe being outclassed over 12 rounds. Watson had very good skills that showed against elite fighters.

Eubank UD12 Calzaghe
Benn TKO9 Calzaghe
Watson UD12 Calzaghe
Calzaghe UD12 Collins

Dude, that was SCAREY!

We came to the same conclusions, I hadn't read yours while I typed mine out.

[Easy-E]

How would the Calzaghe that fought Eubank(past prime), Brewer and Mitchell do against Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank(prime), Michael Watson and Steve Collins at their bests,?

joe c gets beat by all of these quality fighters with the possible exception of collins imo

[oldgringo]

Benn beats Calzaghe by TKO9

Eubank beats Calzaghe by UD

Watson beats Calzaghe by TKO10

Calzaghe beats Collins by SD or MD


Benn at his best under Jimmy Tibbs would systematically take apart Calzaghe. Benn would be bobbing and weaving with good positional sense that Calzaghe lacked, he would be timing his forward moves. And with Calzaghe's open elbows Benn would hit Calzaghe with hard, accurate body shots while maintaining a sharp defence and clipping the head in close when the opportunity permitted.

Eubank at his peak sharpest in 1992/93 would just totally out-class Calzaghe, Calzaghe is too square on and would be too easy to hit with Eubank's quality arrow right hands that were let go without any warning. Eubank would be too sharp at moving in and out of range for Calzaghe's square-on attack-minded style to cope with. Eubank would stay out of range in the latter rounds, which Calzaghe would win on workrate if nothing else.

Watson would school Calzaghe, Watson was a master at using a high guard to prevent punches getting through and then placing his own punches as soon as an opponents flurry is finished. Calzaghe often neglects his jab and often carelessly drops his hands, Watson is all wrong for him. Watson was a slow starter but as Watson gradually picks up the pace he begins to take command of the fight more and more.

Collins would often out-hussle Calzaghe to pick up atleast four or five of the 12 rounds, but Calzaghe's flashier work would win over the judges on the cards. Collins style of continously coming forward would trouble Calzaghe by not giving him the time and space needed, but as the pace gradually slows down Calzaghe is able to pick him off with fast combinations more and more.

You really think Watson had enough firepower to stop Joe? I don't feel like Watson would fight that type of fight, seeing as how Joe has pretty fast hands and good power. Watson would take the opportunity if it was there, but I think Joes chin would hold against pretty much everything Watson could show him.

What (besides the style aspect) makes you think that Watson would stop Calzaghe? I've only seen a few Watson fights, maybe you know something I don't.

[JUYJUY]

You really think Watson had enough firepower to stop Joe? I don't feel like Watson would fight that type of fight, seeing as how Joe has pretty fast hands and good power. Watson would take the opportunity if it was there, but I think Joes chin would hold against pretty much everything Watson could show him.

What (besides the style aspect) makes you think that Watson would stop Calzaghe? I've only seen a few Watson fights, maybe you know something I don't.

Just being hit often with good punches, and being hit right after your flurry of punches is when punches have most effect. Watson was a master at that, he wasn't a big puncher but he was a master at hurting opponents at the right times to get them out of there.

However, in the second fight with Eubank, he completely changed his boxing style to a more attacking wreckless approach with tragic consequences.

(you have to remember that Calzaghe was out on his feet in the last round against Eubank, hurt many times against Brewer, and dropped by Mitchell)

[theclawoftheTiger]

Imagine the Schooling that Herol Graham would give Joe, Graham floored Charles Brewer twice while over 10 years past his best (twice more than Joe could manage a few years later) .. put Graham at his peak in the mid-80s in there with any version of Calzaghe and its hard to see Joe even landing a glove on him ..

[theclawoftheTiger]

Id even say that the Graham who fought Kalule would beat the middleweight versions of Benn, Eubank and Watson .. he came out as the forgotten one of british middleweights, Graham was the best of the lot when you see him at his elusive best ..

[Moschino045]

Bomber Graham would beat collins by wide ud & make collins look bad, & Id pick him to outpoint Watson too. But Eubank had v.good jabbing ability & it wos difficult to dodge his jabs,, remember Mccallum beat Graham with an accurate jab (damn close fight i admit) because he couldnt touch him with anything in the early rounds so he just got the jab working, so i think Eubank can grind him down with jabs if he uses them from the start. Benn has a punchers chance against anybody, & Bomber has never had to deal with any body like Benn,