Joe Calzaghe Vs Roy Jones Jnr. at 168lbs

[Sizzle]

I'm going for a Joe C UD, similar to the Kessler score 116-112, unanimous.

Thoughts?

[ChrisPontius]

I think Jones would win 2 out of 3. Calzaghe's workrate, unorthodoxness and chin always keep a close fight, but in the end, i think Jones' speed would edge Calzaghe's strengths. Calzaghe has the right style for Jones though, and there are not many 168'ers who i would give a better chance than Calzaghe.

[Senya13]

Jones at 168lb often threw close to 100 punches per round, Calzaghe wouldn't have an advantage here.

[ChrisPontius]

Against whom though?

Throwing 100 punches a round against truck drivers and throwing 100 a round against Calzaghe are two completely different things.

Kessler also threw 80+ punches a round against lesser fighters. What happened when he fought Calzaghe? He averaged far less because he was taken out of his comfort zone and so would Jones be.

Calzaghe is a rythem-break fighter with his unorthodox style.


Incidentally, you thought Calzaghe had no advantage against Kessler either but he won anyway (and pretty convincingly, i might add).

[Senya13]

How many punches per round did Calzaghe throw vs Starie, who fought defensively most of the time? Where he disappointed the Showtime so that it abandoned the idea of making him fight in US.
Calzaghe has zero chance of breaking a rhythm of a fighter who has no set-up rhythm in the first place, fighting according to situation, not repeating himself, and with a style far more unorthodox than Calzaghe could dream of.

[headhunter]

Are we talking prime vs prime or today.

[Senya13]

Today's Jones is not a 168lb fighter, is he?

[headhunter]

What weights he fighting tito at? I thought it was 170.Anyway prime vs prime
Jones wins a close UD

[Lampley]

Calzaghe would be fighting a superior mirror image, not a good recipe for success.

If you want to argue in Calzaghe's favor, I guess you could say that Hopkins was able to win four rounds thanks to aggressive movement of his feet. However, Bernard always has been (even then) a better defensive fighter than Calzaghe, and that version of Hopkins was very fast as well.

Anyway, Jones matured and gained a lot moving from 160 to 168, and at that weight he'd have to be a clear favorite over Joe. The difference in power is dramatic, and those occasions when Calzaghe falls in and gets square would be a big problem. He isn't going to attack Jones and find a stationary target, as he did against both Kessler and (especially) Lacy.

I love Calzaghe and celebrate him as a great, but prime Jones wins by at least 8-4, and possibly gets a late stoppage.

[Senya13]

People talk how Calzaghe adjusted his tactics in the 4th (?) round. Compare that to 168lb Jones ad******g all the time to the situation in the ring. He was all the time varying his actions.
Footwork - moving forward, backward or circling, in and out or flat-footed, sidestepping and circling around the opponent till he's literally behind his back.
Counter-punching, jabbing, flurrying, rope-a-doping, slugging it out, varying light and heavy punches or mixing both kinds together in combinations, leading with jab, leading with left hook, with straight right, left or right hooks to the body or to the head, throwing single punches or combinations. Doubling, trippling or even quadrupling jabs or hooks.
Changing stances, sometimes fighting almost full round as a southpaw, as effectively as he was fighting in orthodox stance.
Changing tempo and punchrate, changing angles, keeping hands low or raising them up and moving forward behind high guard, pushing the opponent backwards. Blocking, parrying, slipping, ducking, rolling with punches, stepping back or side-stepping or closing the distance into a clinch.
And he was varying all these things all the time at 168lb, you could never guess what he'd be doing in a few seconds from now.

[Lampley]

People talk how Calzaghe adjusted his tactics in the 4th (?) round. Compare that to 168lb Jones ad******g all the time to the situation in the ring. He was all the time varying his actions.
Footwork - moving forward, backward or circling, in and out or flat-footed, sidestepping and circling around the opponent till he's literally behind his back.
Counter-punching, jabbing, flurrying, rope-a-doping, slugging it out, varying light and heavy punches or mixing both kinds together in combinations, leading with jab, leading with left hook, with straight right, left or right hooks to the body or to the head, throwing single punches or combinations. Doubling, trippling or even quadrupling jabs or hooks.
Changing stances, sometimes fighting almost full round as a southpaw, as effectively as he was fighting in orthodox stance.
Changing tempo and punchrate, changing angles, keeping hands low or raising them up and moving forward behind high guard, pushing the opponent backwards. Blocking, parrying, slipping, ducking, rolling with punches, stepping back or side-stepping or closing the distance into a clinch.
And he was varying all these things all the time at 168lb, you could never guess what he'd be doing in a few seconds from now.

I agree with most of your post, but when did Roy ever slug it out? He allowed plenty of inferior fighters to bang at him some on the ropes, but I can't remember him ever engaging in a trade situation in the middle of the ring.

[brooklyn1550]

Roy Jones Jr UD12
116-112 or 117-111

[headhunter]

Roy Jones Jr UD12
116-112 or 117-111

I agree I don't think Roy would stop joe but I think he'd win a fairly close UD.

[McGrain]

Over 12 rounds I pick Jones in a good one.

[Stonehands89]

I've asserted in an earlier post elsewhere that Calzaghe is a Ring General. His style combines sound technique with unorthodoxy, and he forces you to keep up with a what seems like a crazy crackhead dance but is actually an exploitation of everything you do and think.

That being said, Jones would knock him out at SMW.

Calzaghe would not be able to spoil Jones's boxing. The reason is interesting. Jones, in my well-documented estimation, does not have sound fundamentals. He is an athletic phenomenon with speed, power, timing, & good placement. However, Jones is a too much of an unorthodox stylist for Joe to read and exploit. Cazaghe depends on predictability and would thus get caught early with something unanticipated and untimable due to that unpredictability of Jones's shots and that demon speed. It would happen when Calzaghe is coming in or squaring off or both. I don't care how good his chin appears to be, eating a Jones shot when coming in is going to rattle him to his toenails.

Calzaghe would then make a sensible adjustment... the adjustment would be to revert to fundamentals and try to exploit Jones' lack thereof. Jones leaves windows open and Calzaghe would have to find them and catch him with straight, disciplined shots. It wouldn't work for two reasons -Jones won't have much respect for Calzaghe's power and I am not sure that Calzaghe has enough of a swat to force Jones to respect him. Jones would become the stylist, would dictate the tempo, and would likely rattle Calzaghe again because his hand speed cannot be timed and the shots are unpredicatable. Calzaghe would end up fighting like Kessler did and Jones would look like Calzaghe only with more speed and far more power.

[Luigi1985]

Calzaghe UD 12 Roy Jones Jr. (7-5)

[Mendoza]

I'm going for a Joe C UD, similar to the Kessler score 116-112, unanimous.

Thoughts?

My first thought is it is a heck of a fight. My second thought is Jones would not take it.

[MagnificentMatt]

I agree with most of your post, but when did Roy ever slug it out? He allowed plenty of inferior fighters to bang at him some on the ropes, but I can't remember him ever engaging in a trade situation in the middle of the ring.

Heh, when did he ever lead with a jab? Maybe in 2 or 3 fights.

[Lampley]

Heh, when did he ever lead with a jab? Maybe in 2 or 3 fights.

He would do it for stretches. He even did it against Tony Thornton for about 45 seconds, before turning southpaw, before nailing him with a leaping left hook, before sending Thornton sliding across the canvas with yet another leaping left hook.

Roy did pretty much whatever he felt like doing, which would work to Calzaghe's great detriment. He is a terrible, terrible matchup for Calzaghe, although I think Joe takes a few rounds based on workrate and Jones' lamentable sitting back against the ropes.

[rydersonthestorm]

Just for iamlegend Calzaghe ko1 ( on a serious note could go either way 60/40 jones by ud)

[Senya13]

I agree with most of your post, but when did Roy ever slug it out? He allowed plenty of inferior fighters to bang at him some on the ropes, but I can't remember him ever engaging in a trade situation in the middle of the ring.
In the middle of the ring, I don't remember, but when either he or his opponent is pressed against the ropes, plenty of examples, when he's trading punches.

[Monstar]

honestly i like calzaghe, but he doesnt stand any kind of a chance here, he's getting KO'd if he steps in the ring widd roy, and i'm not even really a roy fan... calzaghe's a great fighter, but he's never fought anyone near jones skill

[Sizzle]

You're a Jones hater, what more would we expect from you? Jones by UD something like 8-4.

I'm not a Jones "hater", I happened to pick an excellent fighter to defeat him in a close, but clear contest - That should actually be complimentary.

I do feel Jones Jnr is massively overrated by most fans - The same way you think Sweet Pea is massively underrated (You're the only person I've seen rank him above Pep). If I'm a Jones "hater", then you're a Whitaker "lover" - Why should we conform to the opinion of the masses?

I rate Jones Jnr on the same objective basis I rate every other fighter, and I have no reason to dislike him as a person. His music does suck though.

[scurlaruntings]

Jones stops Joe late or wins a wide UD.There was IS NO ONE that can beat Jones a prime Jones at 68. Jones had the punch of a cruiser and the speed of a light middle.He was insanely fast and would counter Joe all night.Joe was good but he wasnt Jones good.Be real folks.

[The Whaler]

Jones by domination.

[ozziebattler]

Just watch all of jones jrn's fights before the 1st tarver fight then watch all of calzaghe's pro fights..

I know who makes me shake my head in awe.

And his name aint joe.

Roy was ridiculous in his prime..Untouchable..Winning rounds without throwing punches.(vinny paz etc)

Joe is tough and one great fighter but before shit roy jones is or should i say was a FREAK of the ring..

Cazghe will be remembered great in his prime where jones will be remembered untouchable in his prime.

This all from a aussie with no agenda so dont shoot me down too much as its just my opinion..

People like jones jrn made me step in the ring.

[MancMexican]

I've asserted in an earlier post elsewhere that Calzaghe is a Ring General. His style combines sound technique with unorthodoxy, and he forces you to keep up with a what seems like a crazy crackhead dance but is actually an exploitation of everything you do and think.

That being said, Jones would knock him out at SMW.

Calzaghe would not be able to spoil Jones's boxing. The reason is interesting. Jones, in my well-documented estimation, does not have sound fundamentals. He is an athletic phenomenon with speed, power, timing, & good placement. However, Jones is a too much of an unorthodox stylist for Joe to read and exploit. Cazaghe depends on predictability and would thus get caught early with something unanticipated and untimable due to that unpredictability of Jones's shots and that demon speed. It would happen when Calzaghe is coming in or squaring off or both. I don't care how good his chin appears to be, eating a Jones shot when coming in is going to rattle him to his toenails.

Calzaghe would then make a sensible adjustment... the adjustment would be to revert to fundamentals and try to exploit Jones' lack thereof. Jones leaves windows open and Calzaghe would have to find them and catch him with straight, disciplined shots. It wouldn't work for two reasons -Jones won't have much respect for Calzaghe's power and I am not sure that Calzaghe has enough of a swat to force Jones to respect him. Jones would become the stylist, would dictate the tempo, and would likely rattle Calzaghe again because his hand speed cannot be timed and the shots are unpredicatable. Calzaghe would end up fighting like Kessler did and Jones would look like Calzaghe only with more speed and far more power.

Good points, except a prime Calzaghe had a lot of bang in his fists, far more than todays Joe... he dropped Eubank - no easy feat.

[scurlaruntings]

Just watch all of jones jrn's fights before the 1st tarver fight then watch all of calzaghe's pro fights..

I know who makes me shake my head in awe.

And his name aint joe.

Roy was ridiculous in his prime..Untouchable..Winning rounds without throwing punches.(vinny paz etc)

Joe is tough and one great fighter but before shit roy jones is or should i say was a FREAK of the ring..

Cazghe will be remembered great in his prime where jones will be remembered untouchable in his prime.

This all from a aussie with no agenda so dont shoot me down too much as its just my opinion..

People like jones jrn made me step in the ring.Precisley. Bearing in mind Jones was in the top 10 P4P for a decade!!! Thats got to be the longest ever surely.Jones is probably the best fighter i have ever witnessed in the ring in this current era.He was literally untouchable.

[gutto]

I am a brit and for sure jc is king at the minute but imo rjj still takes him out hes just 2 fast and more to the point to strong. Jc has an awesome work rate but imo not the greatest on his feet. RJJ stops jc he is just to strong if kessler can hit jc and hurt him whats rjj going to do to him and that a fading rjj prime for prime its no contest dont even go there

[Sizzle]

I know a couple others that take Pep ahead of Whitaker. It is not a hard case to make at all if you know the deal with both fighters. Pep had more fights, which is the only reason anyone would rank him ahead, that and he's an old timer. Based on quality of opposition and domination, Pea ranks right there, based on footage and multiple weight classes, Pea ranks ahead.

Anyways, I agree with your points there, but you ALWAYS seem to diss Jones in some way, which leads me to believe you're a hater.

Plenty of experts and historians rate Pep top ten - How many rate Whitaker top ten?

Objectively Pep has the better resume, and subjectively he looks to be the better fighter pound for pound, his fluidity and skillset is amazing. That's why pretty much all experts/historians agree he ranks ahead of Whitaker, although you are entitled to your opinion. Most of the better informed posters on this site rank Pep highly also.

You always seems to praise Sweet Pea in some way which leads me to believe you're a lover. For the record I do rate Jones top ten all-time at lightheavyweight and top3 supermiddleweight.

[Stickandmove]

Great posts from Senya13 and Stonehands89. I think they have it about right. MancMexican is right about prime Calzaghe having power though (dropping Eubank within 15 seconds proved that).

If you thought Calzaghe was good against Kessler and Lacy; he was even better in his prime.

That said, Jones was probably unbeatable at 168 in his prime and I agree he'd beat Calzaghe; probably 8-4. But it would have been a HELL of a fight.