Antonio Tarver vs Joe Calzaghe @ 175

[RAMPAGE0017]

I hate Antonio Tarver, but I have to admit.. he seems like he's underrated at times. He's not unbeatable ( obviously ) but he's not the one hit wonder push-over that people often claim he is, either. He's a big guy, throws quick, short punches, he's powerful ( although not as powerful as his knockout over Jones would make it seem ), awkward, and he's got a good chin.

Calzaghe is also a big guy, so I can't see how moving up to 175 would diminish any of his skills. Calzaghe too is quick handed, he's powerful, and he too has a good chin. They both seem pretty even in skills, with the only real differences being Tarver seems a little more restrained and calculating while Joe is a bit more of a swarmer. I also think Tarver might be a bit more powerful than Calzaghe.

So who do you feel takes a fight between the two?

[PrideOfWales]

They both seem pretty even in skills

At risk of sounding gay.... Tee-Hee!

By the way, is that acting skills?

[brooklyn1550]

Calzaghe UD

[RAMPAGE0017]

At risk of sounding gay.... Tee-Hee!

By the way, is that acting skills?


Rather than trying to be cute, why not explain why you disagree? :good

[The Hitman]

I agree that Tarver is underrated. He got taken apart, but look who it was that took him apart. Bernard Hopkins is one of the best boxers of the last decade and entered a punch-perfect performance to take Tarver's title.

However Tarver is not good enough to beat Joe Calzaghe. Joe has too much speed, too much power and too much ring-smarts for Tarver to handle.

[PrideOfWales]

Rather than trying to be cute, why not explain why you disagree? :good

Calzaghe beats Tarver because:

Joe Calzaghe does everything better than Tarver (in the ring) apart from the fact that he doesn't hit as hard as him

[JoeyP]

Joe C wins this going away--Tarver is to frozen in the middle of the ring with a faster guy and he seems to get winded in the mid to late rounds---Tarver would have the "punchers chance"--but thats what they said about Lacy as well

JoeyP

[*BOX_FAN*]

Calzaghe by wide UD now.

[RAMPAGE0017]

My opinion:


Although I think Tarver has the speed, power and ring-intelligence to give and take anything that Calzaghe's got, I think Tarver would be too restrained in this fight, and focus a lot on counter punching, which wouldn't be a great idea against Calzaghe who wouldn't have too much trouble handling Tarver's speed and power, and will probably continuously press the action against Tarver with quick flurries. I'll go with a reasonably close decision for Calzaghe.

[China_hand_Joe]

I agree that Tarver is underrated. He got taken apart, but look who it was that took him apart. Bernard Hopkins is one of the best boxers of the last decade and entered a punch-perfect performance to take Tarver's title.

However Tarver is not good enough to beat Joe Calzaghe. Joe has too much speed, too much power and too much ring-smarts for Tarver to handle.If we are building up Hopkins why not build up Muriqui too?

[RAMPAGE0017]

If we are building up Hopkins why not build up Muriqui too?



Muriqi didn't beat Tarver. Hopkins on the other hand annihilated Tarver.

[China_hand_Joe]

Muriqi didn't beat Tarver. Hopkins on the other hand annihilated Tarver.Muiriqi is pretty awful and Tarver only edged him. Any upper end world class fighter should anhilate Tarver now.

[RAMPAGE0017]

Muiriqi is pretty awful and Tarver only edged him. Any upper end world class fighter should anhilate Tarver now.


What indicates that Muriqi is awful? He looked pretty good against Tarver, whom himself still looks pretty sharp even considering his age at this point.

[Imperial1]

Tarver is smart enough to nuetralize Joe's speed the diffrence is he can't out work him ..I would favor Calzaghe in a close one .

[RAMPAGE0017]

I have a feeling Joe will actually improve going to 175 at this stage in his career.

As far as what?

[megabox]

I'd like to see a rematch Tarver vs Muriqi.

[El Bombasto]

Calzaghe makes him quit