Herol Graham vs Joe Calzaghe prime for prime

[Dunky McCafferty]

Who wins this one guys?

Herol was as slippery an as eel a the peak of his powers & had a decent dig too, as he proved when he floored & hurt the current champion of the time Charles Brewer at the ripe old age of 38. Something a younger Joe calzaghe couldnt do some years later.
Herol Graham was more avoided than the tv licence when he was at his peak, Benn & Eubank publicly admitted they wouldnt go near Herol.

Joe Calzaghe isnt exactly easy to beat as everyone who has faced him will tell you, hes always had underrated boxing skills as well & done something that Herol Graham never did in his career, becoming world champion & then unifying the belts.

So Graham v Calzaghe prime for prime, who wins & how?

[TFFP]

Calzaghe, by UD. "At the end of the day" Joe Calzaghe knows how to get the job done, and Herol didn't, for one reason or another.

[LiamE]

Graham would look good for a while till Joe figured him out and started picking up rounds relenlessly.

Calzaghe UD 8-4 or so

[PrideOfWales]

Graham poses problems that would make Calzaghe look a bit silly at times but over the course of 12 rounds, Joe would increasingly get on top. Early doors, I'm sure Graham would get a bit of success but Joe's fitness and workrate will eventually pick up more and more rounds. Graham's hands by his waist tactic would not suit this fight although he would make Calzaghe miss quite a lot.

The fight would have to be at 12 stone as Joe is also a big SMW while Graham's prime was MW. I just cannot see anything other than a Calzaghe points win here with Graham taking at least half of the opening 6 rounds.

How do you see it Dunky?

[Fat Joe]

I just cannot see anything other than a Calzaghe points win here with Graham taking at least half of the opening 6 rounds.

:yep I watched the Jackson V Graham fight yesterday in the General Forum. Somehow or other Calzaghe would get to him.

[PrideOfWales]

:yep I watched the Jackson V Graham fight yesterday in the General Forum. Somehow or other Calzaghe would get to him.

But you have to give Graham a slim chance due to the styles. Nothing more than slim though. Joe would get caught a few times but his chin is cast iron and Bomber's bombs weren't exactly atomic. Graham can't KO Calzaghe but neither does Joe punch hard enough to stop Graham.

[Dunky McCafferty]

How do you see it Dunky?

hmm. its a tough question that, thats why I put the post in. You see, me & my mate are big boxing fans.
& my mates father is a huge Herol Graham fan, & always talks him up.

So we kind of got into a discussion about how Graham would handle the best of today, & thats when the name Calzaghe came about. So we discussed, & it got pretty interesting when we analyzed both fighters, strength & weakness wise.

For instance, Graham is regarded as 'chinny' but in his prime I dont remember him being dropped much. Of course Julian Jackson KO'd him, but at the time Graham was playing with him & Jackson just threw a wild lucky punch, & that was the end for herol. However, at the time Jackson was considered the hardest puncher in the world P4P, so can anyone really say Graham was chinny cos a monster puncher managed to KO him? of course later in his career Graham would go down more often, but he was way past his best by then.

As for Joe C, his strengths & weaknesses are debated on ESB most days of the week, thats why I am foucusing on Grahams attributes a bit more just now.
However, analyzing Grahams career for the first time has made me realise hes a lot better than I hve given him credit for here in the past, & thats why I asked the question, cos it interests me to hear some opinions on the subject matter.
I think its a fascinating matchup, prime 4 prime.

[Fat Joe]

I think its a fascinating matchup, prime 4 prime.

Nice to see you on here at a relatively early hour Dunky. Normally you reply to the days posts rather than interacting - do you work weird shifts or something Dunky?

I watched Graham V Jackson yesterday in the General forum - his feet seemed really fast, but like most Ingle fighters his hands were down low. Given Calzaghe's handspeed I'd think he would score a UD.

[JonOli]

How many real slick boxers have joe ever faced?

[TFFP]

Hopkins and Eubank.

[onourway]

Hopkins was a slick boxer 10 years ago. The Hopkins that Calzaghe fought was a mauler.

Calzaghe's never fought a prime slick boxer, it would be uncharted territory.

A prime fighter is pretty much uncharted territory for a fraud like Calzaghe, let alone a slick one.

[Fat Joe]

A prime fighter is pretty much uncharted territory for a fraud like Calzaghe, let alone a slick one.

That's rich coming from a Hatton nuthugger.

[JonOli]

Hopkins and Eubank.

Neither are pure slicksters. Eubank could switch between styles, Hopkins is (especially when Joe met him) more Scientific then slick.

[Dunky McCafferty]

Hopkins and Eubank.

& thats what makes the original question interesting TFFP my good man, cos when Joe faced Eubank & then Hopkins, both were past their best. Hopkins was 43, & a pst it Eubank had to move down two divisions to face a younger fresher foe.

As I say, Im not taking sides, cos I have argued about Graham here in the past & his fans got pretty nasty with me. So Im neutral on this one, it just so happened that I got into an interesting debate with some of my buddies about this matchup earlier on, & the deeper we looked into it, the more interesting it became... trust me, the deeper you look into their careers it throws up many questions.

[onourway]

That's rich coming from a Hatton nuthugger.

Hatton's no fraud.

Hatton went to america to force the biggest fights.

By the time Hatton's retired, he will have fought P4P#3 Tszyu, P4P#1 Mayweather and P4P#1 Pacman.......what a fraud eh? :nut

Calzaghe's best win is over an OAP. And now he's ducking a live challenge, to take on the shot (Calzaghe's word) RJJ.

[TFFP]

Neither are pure slicksters. Eubank could switch between styles, Hopkins is (especialy when joe met him) more Scientific then slick.
Eubank was still slick, and awkward too

Hopkins is still slicker than most will ever be. Constantly on the move, firing from awkward angles, when did you ever see a jab bother Hopkins? It doesn't, because he's slick.

And how many "slicksters" do you expect him to fight? They don't grow on trees you know. Put it this way, the only slickster Hatton fought knocked him the hell out.

[JonOli]

There is no question that there is a lack of slick/semi slick boxers on Joes resume; it stands out a mile.

[onourway]

And how many "slicksters" do you expect him to fight? They don't grow on trees you know. Put it this way, the only slickster Hatton fought knocked him the hell out.

Can't yourself and FatJoe discuss Calzaghe without mentioning Hatton?

P.s The only P4P#1 Calzaghe fought....wait, he never has and never will. Hatton will have fought two and another guy in the top three by the time he retires.....all whilst Calzaghe tries to make money by fighting a shot RJJ, disgraceful.

[TFFP]

Tell me the plethora of slicksters he was supposed to fight?

The fact is, he has two on there, which is more than most. There just aren't many slick fighters, you have to be pretty physically talented to pull off that type of style.

Hatton never faced a slick fighter in his career until he got starched by Mayweather. And I bring up Hatton becuase we've got to apply the same standards, wouldn't want anybody to be accused of hypocrisy.

[Fat Joe]

Put it this way, the only slickster Hatton fought knocked him the hell out.

But somehow that is ammunition for his nuthuggers to prove how talented he is:patsch

[Fat Joe]

Can't yourself and FatJoe discuss Calzaghe without mentioning Hatton?

It's hard to resist when the likes of JonOli are around.

[onourway]

Hatton never faced a slick fighter in his career until he got starched by Mayweather. And I bring up Hatton becuase we've got to apply the same standards, wouldn't want anybody to be accused of hypocrisy.

Calzaghe fought an OAP, got knocked on his arse and scraped a SD.

Hatton fought a prime Mayweather, P4P#1, best of his era and got KO'd chasing the fight.

Suggests to me that Calzaghe would struggle with a prime slickster too.

Calzaghe could only dream of taking on the challenges that Hatton has.

Hatton will have fought 4 P4P fighters by the time he finishes, 3 of which were #1, #1, and #3 respectively......that's awesome.

[TFFP]

& thats what makes the original question interesting TFFP my good man, cos when Joe faced Eubank & then Hopkins, both were past their best. Hopkins was 43, & a pst it Eubank had to move down two divisions to face a younger fresher foe.

As I say, Im not taking sides, cos I have argued about Graham here in the past & his fans got pretty nasty with me. So Im neutral on this one, it just so happened that I got into an interesting debate with some of my buddies about this matchup earlier on, & the deeper we looked into it, the more interesting it became... trust me, the deeper you look into their careers it throws up many questions.
But the more you look into it, the more you see that by hook or by crook Joe gets the job done. Sometimes he looks great, sometimes less so, but he always adapts and pulls it out.

Graham fell short too many times, and that is the basis for my pick. Adaptability, and mentality

From a stylistic viewpoint Graham does cause a few problems, especially early when he is fresh and can counter Calzaghe. But eventually Calzaghe's work-rate will get to him as the pace drops, and with that hands down awkward style he'll struggle to avoid shots he was previously.

8-4 Joe Calzaghe.

[TFFP]

Calzaghe fought an OAP, got knocked on his arse and scraped a SD.

Hatton fought a prime Mayweather, P4P#1, best of his era and got KO'd chasing the fight.

Suggests to me that Calzaghe would struggle with a prime slickster too.

Calzaghe could only dream of taking on the challenges that Hatton has.

Hatton will have fought 4 P4P fighters by the time he finishes, 3 of which were #1, #1, and #3 respectively......that's awesome. Calzaghe doesn't have to dream of anything. Hatton just has to dream he can get his ass back on that p4p list which is so important to you, because right about now he is where he deserves, while Joe sits comfortably at #2

Must be desperately hard for you, but remove his ballsack from covering your little eyes and you'll see the truth you are so blind to :yep

[Dunky McCafferty]

Nice to see you on here at a relatively early hour Dunky. Normally you reply to the days posts rather than interacting - do you work weird shifts or something Dunky?

I watched Graham V Jackson yesterday in the General forum - his feet seemed really fast, but like most Ingle fighters his hands were down low. Given Calzaghe's handspeed I'd think he would score a UD.

Fat Joe, I have been known to post the odd morning here & there, I do interact when I can, but when I usually feel like a good chat, everyone in Britain is tucked up in their beds with a mug of hot cocoa by their side!
At least though me & my late night ESB cronies keep the place busy 24/7, & thats what makes the place so desirable to post in IMO, you can pop in at any time night or day & have a conversation about any fighter from these shores!

The night time posters like me & my fellow nightowls dont get enough credit IMO, cos without us, the daytime crew wouldnt have anything fresh to sink their teeth into... at least when we post everyone has something fresh to read when they are tucking into their full english breakfasts, their scottish morning rolls & whatever you welsh & irish eat for their breakfasts also!

We all do our bit.... Lets give the ESB nightowls some credit here!

[Fat Joe]

Calzaghe would have the measure of Graham because he is fast and awkward himself - but he has more grit than Graham ever had.

[Fat Joe]

The night time posters like me & my fellow nightowls dont get enough credit IMO, cos without us, the daytime crew wouldnt have anything fresh to sink their teeth into.

Cuts both ways Dunky

whatever you welsh eat for their breakfasts

Cockles & Laverbread

[Dunky McCafferty]

.

Cuts both ways Dunky



Cockles & Laverbread


It certainly does FJ my good man, it certainly does!

But hey, this is probably the busiest Saturday night/Sunday Morning I have ever encountered on here, everyones talking & stealing my late night limelight.

[onourway]

Calzaghe doesn't have to dream of anything. Hatton just has to dream he can get his ass back on that p4p list which is so important to you, because right about now he is where he deserves, while Joe sits comfortably at #2

Must be desperately hard for you, but remove his ballsack from covering your little eyes and you'll see the truth you are so blind to :yep

Never has one man been ranked so high, for doing so little.

Lets just say Calzaghe beats RJJ and retires.

Then Hatton beats Malignaggi and Pac.

Hatton will undoubtedly have the better resume and history will look back favourably on him.

[Dunky McCafferty]

I heard of laverbread, Im sure I seen someone recently on TV showing how its made.
But fuck those Cockles, everytime I seen someone picking them out of a shell when I was but a young man, it always reminded me of someone picking a snot out of their nose!

[TFFP]

Never has one man been ranked so high, for doing so little.

Lets just say Calzaghe beats RJJ and retires.

Then Hatton beats Malignaggi and Pac.

Hatton will undoubtedly have the better resume and history will look back favourably on him.
Are you sure about that?

Who decides history? I hope they don't take a peek at your favoured p4p rankings.

It's amusing these rankings are gospel when you are jizzing over Hatton fighting these p4p greats, but for Calzaghe GOD NO! :lol:

[JonOli]

Who's he fighting next?

[Fat Joe]

Then Hatton beats Malignaggi and Pac.



Not a foregone conclusion.

Hatton will undoubtedly have the better resume and history will look back favourably on him.

Anyone with a pair of eyes in their head will recognise Calzaghe is the better fighter.

[onourway]

Are you sure about that?

Who decides history? I hope they don't take a peek at your favoured p4p rankings.

It's amusing these rankings are gospel when you are jizzing over Hatton fighting these p4p greats, but for Calzaghe GOD NO! :lol:

Various people decide history.

In my eyes, Hatton will retire with a better resume than Calzaghe.....unless Joe drops this joke fight with RJJ/fights Pavlik afterwards. Hopefully all rational and sane people will agree with me.

I'm not going to argue with Calzaghe's P4P ranking, I really don't think his achievements are that great, but for longevity and some of the wins he's FINALLY put on the board, I think it's acceptable. I think he benefits from Pavlik and Cotto's age though, because they do seem to be two guys who want the big fights and will be claiming the big wins, it's only their relative inexperience which is stopping them toppling Calzaghe.

[Fat Joe]

I heard of laverbread, Im sure I seen someone recently on TV showing how its made.
But fuck those Cockles, everytime I seen someone picking them out of a shell when I was but a young man, it always reminded me of someone picking a snot out of their nose!

Had some cockles this morning - very nice.

Had laverbread last week for the first time since I was a kid - even nicer than I remembered - seaweed at it's best:yep

[onourway]

Not a foregone conclusion.

.

Anyone with a pair of eyes in their head will recognise Calzaghe is the better fighter.

What does 'better fighter' count for? Not a lot.

People are judged on what they achieved, not what they could have achieved. Go on, mention 'skillset', I know you want to....

I agree, not a foregone conclusion with either results, but if he does win, then I'd say his resume is better than Calzaghe's.

[Dunky McCafferty]

Never has one man been ranked so high, for doing so little.

Lets just say Calzaghe beats RJJ and retires.

Then Hatton beats Malignaggi and Pac.

Hatton will undoubtedly have the better resume and history will look back favourably on him.

Hatton wont beat Pac. Pacs a monster, I have been telling everyone here this for years. hes frightening, one of the few fighters through the long history of boxing blessed with speed to thrill, power to kill & the heart of a lion.

In fact, Im sure hes the greatest fighter that will exist in my lifetime. As i said earlier, Pacs a monster. A living legend. Im 35 years old, & I am sure I will never see a fighter as good as him by the time I die.

I used to say Floyd was the best, but IMO Pacquiao surpasses him. What he did in his last fight was jaw droppingly awesome. Manny Pacquiao never ceases to amaze me, hes got it all. & its frightening.

[TFFP]

Various people decide history.

In my eyes, Hatton will retire with a better resume than Calzaghe.....unless Joe drops this joke fight with RJJ/fights Pavlik afterwards. Hopefully all rational and sane people will agree with me.

I'm not going to argue with Calzaghe's P4P ranking, I really don't think his achievements are that great, but for longevity and some of the wins he's FINALLY put on the board, I think it's acceptable. I think he benefits from Pavlik and Cotto's age though, because they do seem to be two guys who want the big fights and will be claiming the big wins, it's only their relative inexperience which is stopping them toppling Calzaghe.
And its only Hatton not having a very good resume or skillset that prevents him from even breaking into the top 10! :rofl

You know, its awful being outside the top 10. Its so cold and lonely, not being one of the truely elite fighters on the planet. I bet Hatton wishes he was top 10 doesn't he? I bet he does. I don't think Cristian Mijares has even heard of Ricky Hatton right now, he feels his place is secure. In the top 10 of the p4p rankings that is.

[onourway]

Hatton wont beat Pac. Pacs a monster, I have been telling everyone here this for years. hes frightening, one of the few fighters through the long history of boxing blessed with speed to thrill, power to kill & the heart of a lion.

In fact, Im sure hes the greatest fighter that will exist in my lifetime. As i said earlier, Pacs a monster. A living legend. Im 35 years old, & I am sure I will never see a fighter as good as him by the time I die.

I used to say Floyd was the best, but IMO Pacquiao surpasses him. What he did in his last fight was jaw droppingly awesome. Manny Pacquiao never ceases to amaze me, hes got it all. & its frightening.

Lets see him fight a live body at 135 first.

There's a big difference between fighting a punchbag like Diaz and somebody like Hatton who's going to drive him back and overpower him.

He is a great fighter though, but I can see Hatton making it a very messy fight and smothering Pac.

[JonOli]

Anyone with a pair of eyes in their head will recognise Calzaghe is the better fighter.

Are you aware that boxing on the inside, in and out of the clinch, is as much a boxing skill as boxing on the outside. If anyone could do it; everyone would do it.

There are brawlers in the HOF too.

You may think what Calzaghe does is hugely skilled, in your eye, but there are many others who think totally the opposite (outside of his stamina and punch output).

Each to there own.

[onourway]

And its only Hatton not having a very good resume or skillset that prevents him from even breaking into the top 10! :rofl

You know, its awful being outside the top 10. Its so cold and lonely, not being one of the truely elite fighters on the planet. I bet Hatton wishes he was top 10 doesn't he? I bet he does. I don't think Cristian Mijares has even heard of Ricky Hatton right now, he feels his place is secure. In the top 10 of the p4p rankings that is.

Hatton was as high as 4 once.

Boxing is fickle. One loss to the very best and all of a sudden you drop out of the top 10.

If Calzaghe was ever to test himself against the very best, he might drop out of the top 10 too.

[TFFP]

Hatton was as high as 4 once.

Boxing is fickle. One loss to the very best and all of a sudden you drop out of the top 10.

If Calzaghe was ever to test himself against the very best, he might drop out of the top 10 too. Yeah, I don't think its just that loss somehow, why you think he dropped from 4 to about 8? I think they considered the dead wood Hatton has been feasting on, and his struggles with Collazo. They finally ran out of patience, as they should have many moons ago

Is he still in your top 10? Bet you have him 11 :lol:

It's hilarious your fighter isn't part of the rankings you usually use to solidify any point you make. Yet Calzaghe's #2 :rofl

Amuses me no end.

[JonOli]

What does this thread have to do with Ricky Hatton anyway... some of you guys are obsessed about him...

Herol Graham vs Joe Calzaghe prime for prime?

[JonOli]

It's hilarious your fighter isn't part of the rankings you usually use to solidify any point you make. Yet Calzaghe's #2 :rofl


Whose he fighting next?

[TFFP]

Well, we were on subject until you came in ragging on Calzaghe and inferring he hasn't fought this and that, completely unfounded too I might add

If you actually had any knowledge you'd know the one type of fighter Calzaghe hasn't faced is a true pressure fighter. He's fought his quota of slick fighters, considering the ratio of slick types to other styles

Or how about your thoughts on the matchup, instead of coming in with some shit about what Calzaghe hasn't done? How about what he does, and what Graham did, and we might get some sense outta you yet

[JonOli]

Maybe one day we will actually hear your genuine opinions on fighters, aye.

[Dunky McCafferty]

Lets see him fight a live body at 135 first.

There's a big difference between fighting a punchbag like Diaz and somebody like Hatton who's going to drive him back and overpower him.

He is a great fighter though, but I can see Hatton making it a very messy fight and smothering Pac.

With all due respect onourway, I hate Hatton & dont rate Hatton. Calzaghe IMO is the much superior fighter P4P in the all time british rankings.
Hatton will get a hometown points decision against the non puncher Malignaggi & then retire. hes only mentioning Pac to get bums on seats cos malignaggi was so bloody awful on the undercard that its killed all interest in the fight. Hattons masterplan was to go out on a high against malignaggi, but Malignaggi fucked it all up by being crap. Its as simple as that, & I dont want to discuss hatton anymore in this thread, cos he dont deserve it.

P4P in Britain Calzaghe is the man at this moment, & Im asking about him fighting the enigma that was Herol Graham. We all know Hatton will fight Malignaggi & retire. Hatton is all about picking up belts, not fighting the best. he done that once before, & got his fingers burned so badly he wont make the same mistake again. Trust me. Its Malignaggi & retirement. In that order.

[TFFP]

I've already given my genuine opinion on this fight, and Graham in the past, which is more than we can say for you

I don't think your knowledge extends outside Hatton, and even there its a bit sketchy.

I'd also add I admire Graham greatly, I love his style, and I don't have huge objections to anybody that picks him. He can cause stylistic difficulties in this fight, I just don't think he can do it consistently for 12 rounds to outpoint Calzaghe. Nobody gets knocked out here.

[JonOli]

I've already given my genuine opinion on this fight, and Graham in the past, which is more than we can say for you

I don't think your knowledge extends outside Hatton, and even there its a bit sketchy.

Oh well, unlike Calzaghe (in your books), we all have our faults.

[onourway]

Yeah, I don't think its just that loss somehow, why you think he dropped from 4 to about 8? I think they considered the dead wood Hatton has been feasting on, and his struggles with Collazo. They finally ran out of patience, as they should have many moons ago

Is he still in your top 10? Bet you have him 11 :lol:

It's hilarious your fighter isn't part of the rankings you usually use to solidify any point you make. Yet Calzaghe's #2 :rofl

Amuses me no end.

It's hard to be subjective when making a P4P list, so The Ring will do for me.

How can you criticise Hatton for fighting deadwood? Calzaghe is the king of deadwood.

As I said, Pavlik and Cotto will quickly jump Calzaghe. And it's a shame for guys like JMM, Vasquez, R Marquez, Hatton etc that they take on the biggest challenges in sport, it results in losses sometimes and they get downplayed a lot, because of this....

[TFFP]

It's hard to be subjective when making a P4P list, so The Ring will do for me.

How can you criticise Hatton for fighting deadwood? Calzaghe is the king of deadwood.

As I said, Pavlik and Cotto will quickly jump Calzaghe. And it's a shame for guys like JMM, Vasquez, R Marquez, Hatton etc that they take on the biggest challenges in sport, it results in losses sometimes and they get downplayed a lot, because of this....
Objective would be the word

Calzaghe clearly hasn't been fighting that much deadwood, especially not recently, as he's #2 on your favourite resource. Quite rightly so, ratings should recognise RECENT performances and achievements, otherwise fuckin De La Hoya would be on there

Anyway, I think we've highjacked Dunky's thread enough - back to Graham - Calzaghe for me.

[JonOli]

It's hard to be subjective when making a P4P list, so The Ring will do for me.

How can you criticise Hatton for fighting deadwood? Calzaghe is the king of deadwood.

As I said, Pavlik and Cotto will quickly jump Calzaghe. And it's a shame for guys like JMM, Vasquez, R Marquez, Hatton etc that they take on the biggest challenges in sport, it results in losses sometimes and they get downplayed a lot, because of this....

I'm with you. If Calzaghe had got in the ring with a prime RJJ, he would not be viewed as half the fighter he is now by some. Thats sad!

People reward boxers for what they could have done, rather then what they did, far to much.

Quality of opponent makes a boxer look good. At times Calzaghe looked a chump against Hopkins and yet a world beater against Kessler. There is under six months difference between the fights. If Calzaghe fought manfredo tomorrow he'd once again look like the best boxer on the planet.

[Fat Joe]

At times Calzaghe looked a chump against Hopkins

But he still won

[JonOli]

But he still won

Yes, he did, I agree.

[Ilesey]

Calzaghe would have too much for Graham. His workrate would be biggest factor and I think his jab and combination punching would be too much for Graham to handle. Also Graham wouldn't have the firepower to keep Calzaghe off him. Calzaghe by a convincing UD.

[kurt2006]

Hatton's no fraud.

Hatton went to america to force the biggest fights.

By the time Hatton's retired, he will have fought P4P#3 Tszyu, P4P#1 Mayweather and P4P#1 Pacman.......what a fraud eh? :nut

Calzaghe's best win is over an OAP. And now he's ducking a live challenge, to take on the shot (Calzaghe's word) RJJ.

Lets disect this.

Hatton fought p4p#3 Tszyu :hey

Thats like Larry Holmes boasting about beating Ali. :lol:

Mayweather :patsch
Hatton did not even run him close, Baz Carey gave Khan more problems than Hatton gave PBF.

Pacman :yep

Another money fight rather than a fight based on matching skill and ability. With Pacman being way more skilled than Hatton will ever be.

Anyway back to the thread, Graham would be on top for most the fight and then get KO'd.

[rumour24tiger]

Calzaghe is a natural light heavy and Graham is a natural light middle. They never would have been in the same weight division.

[Mantequilla]

Amen.

Joe is a light heavy in the days of the original eight.

He's too big for a light hitting smaller man like Graham, though if Robin Reid could give him a tough fight then you never know.

[ron u.k.]

i would take joe here.in fairness to graham he was the best exponent of ingle's style of fighting which i personally can't stand,but graham mainly because he had great balance had it off to a fine art.i just think joe's workrate,extra strength and persistance would win the day in a messy fight of arkward southpaws.dunky's right, grahams chin could only be described as a bit dodgy later in his career i think he'd last the distance with calzaghe.for the most part in his prime his chin was sound,and although it didn't get hit very often,he took the best the likes of mcCallum and kalambay threw at him and lasted.

[Beeston Brawler]

I don't think Joe has been facing much deadwood lately.

In terms of their respective accomplishments, I don't think there is much difference between them - the huggers and haters of each will dissect their records long after they have retired.

Though in terms of their abilities as fighters, Calzaghe wins hands down. Hatton has made himself as great as he could be, whilst Calzaghe hasn't - some of his 'title defences' were against guys no better than domestic level. There are a few guys on there that shouldn't have been in with Joe, whilst other guys didn't get the fight (Beyer, Johnson, et al) + Reid rematch.

But you could say the same about Hatton. Guys like Vivian Harris, Kelson Pinto and Lovemore N'Dou would look a damn sight better than Carlos Vilches, Michael Stewart, Ray Oliveira and Dennis Pedersen - that is without mentioning Junior Witter.

[TBooze]

I do not see how Graham could win at 168.

Calzaghe to slowly dismantle him, the fight being one sided by the middle rounds.

Calzaghe TKO13 (leading 8-4 on the cards going into the 13th).

[ApatheticLeader]

It's well documented that I think Graham would have the measure of Eubank, Benn, Collins etc....

But Calzaghe beats him. His speed and workrate would be too much for Graham, who loses by UD. Around 8-4 I'd say...

[Beeston Brawler]

Not sure how Graham compares to any of the other British fighters of his era.

Nigel Benn

This would have been a great contest, with one guy charging forward relentlessly and the other using the full area of the ring to keep his opponent off with his jab. Graham isn't one capable of taking a great deal of punishment, therefore a 'Watson-esque' schooling isn't on the cards, but Graham is capable of outboxing Benn to a UD, and possible late stoppage once Benn got frustrated. Benn has massive power, and Graham wasn't exactly iron-chinned, so a blowout is a possibility.

Chris Eubank

Having read Johnny Nelson's book, it is clear that Eubank and Graham did a fair amount of sparring together, with each enjoying the upper hand on occasion. Prior to the second Watson fight, Eubank IMO was a machine, capable of making opponents look silly and having the ability to finish them off - backed up by a granite chin. Graham wasn't too dissimilar in this respect (stylewise totally different) but was lacking in the chin department. I see a bit of a chess match.

Steve Collins

Having seen very little of Collins, and ignoring his victories over Benn and Eubank, who were both past their peak, the only comparison I can make is their respective duels with Mike McCallum. Herol was a low blow away from winning, whilst Steve lost a UD.

I haven't seen anything of Michael Watson, other than the Benn and Eubank II fights, so cannot really comment.