Prime for Prime Andre Ward vs Joe Calzaghe

[Thraxox]

Who wins in this match up? The Joe Calzaghe arguably the greatest 168 pound fighter or Andre Ward, the champion of the super six?

[Sadiqkingofko]

Andre ward adapts better, so I'll go with him. Froch/Calzaghe is more even matched then Ward/Calzaghe

[ShamrockXpress]

I think it depends where the fight is held.

Both fighters effectiveness used to rely a bit on home advantage (calzaghe stoppages / ward headbutt and hold)

Would have been a great fight to see.

Bill it as King of the slap v the man who holds

[Redd Foxx]

I've never had an easy time picking between these two. Though their styles may look completely different, they have some strong similarities. They both were absolute masters of distance, always too close or too far. Read their opponent's body language well. Spoiled games and dictated fights.
Very hard to pick a winner.

[fvanesbeck]

Andre ward adapts better, so I'll go with him. Froch/Calzaghe is more even matched then Ward/Calzaghe

I'm not entirely sure about that - Calzaghe adapted better than almost anyone I can think of. How many fights was he in trouble early and then won a dominant decision?

That being said, I'd still side with Ward to win a close decision.

[LetOutTheCage]

Ward schools him, an aging Hopkins had no issue catching Calzaghe in their fight and he should have got the decision really. Prime Ward would dominate him physically and would pot-shot him for 12 rounds.

[Citizen Koba]

Andre ward adapts better, so I'll go with him. Froch/Calzaghe is more even matched then Ward/Calzaghe

Both are / were superb adaptors. This is a fight that's impossible for me to call but I woulda loved to see it.

Calzaghe would befuddle Froch. Easy UD - well no, not easy - Froch never gave anyone an 'easy' night, but clear, nonetheless.

[Citizen Koba]

Ward schools him, an aging Hopkins had no issue catching Calzaghe in their fight and he should have got the decision really. Prime Ward would dominate him physically and would pot-shot him for 12 rounds.

Disagree on the BHops 'win' though it was close, but what makes you think that the Calzaghe that fought Hopkins was the one that would fight Ward? Aren't we talking primes here? Or are we talking about the current Calzaghe putting down the sniff and lacin 'em up?

The way I see it Ward is a master at reading and neutralising what an opponent does, whereas Calzaghe was a master at bringing something to the opponent that they couldn't anticipate - speed and volume for one, but also changes of pace and movement. IDK man, despite clearly dominating Bika I think Dre had such a hard time controling Sakio (in part) because of his unorthodoxy and somewhat wild style .. Ward looks best when he's fighting someone predictable I think, no matter how high the level. I'm not sure Calzaghe fits into that box.

[LetOutTheCage]

Disagree on the BHops 'win' though it was close, but what makes you think that the Calzaghe that fought Hopkins was the one that would fight Ward? Aren't we talking primes here? Or are we talking about the current Calzaghe putting down the sniff and lacin 'em up?

The way I see it Ward is a master at reading and neutralising what an opponent does, whereas Calzaghe was a master at bringing something to the opponent that they couldn't anticipate - speed and volume for one, but also changes of pace and movement. IDK man, despite clearly dominating Bika I think Dre had such a hard time controling Sakio (in part) because of his unorthodoxy and somewhat wild style .. Ward looks best when he's fighting someone predictable I think, no matter how high the level. I'm not sure Calzaghe fits into that box.

Calzghe's fighting style didn't change much from when he was in his prime to when he fought Hopkins. Lets not forget that Hopkins was 43 and already past his best when he faced Clazaghe.

Calzaghe himself admitted that was his toughest fight because Hopkins was so awkward. Ward and Hopkins dont have the same fighting style but Ward is similar in that he can be very awkward stylistically.

Calzaghe is all about throwing flurries, punch-output and work rate. I think Ward would smother and spoil Calzaghe's work and at the same time get his own shots off.

[mick1303]

Stylistically to beat high-workrate fighter (Calzaghe) you need to have KO punch that will be dangerous and disciplined for all 12 rounds. Which is why someone like Kovalev or prime Tarver (before gaining weight for this movie) would be his kryptonite. Ward is not this fighter. High volume and high workrate is the attributes where opponent's ability "to predict" is mostly useless. Calzaghe is all wrong for Ward.