View Full Version : Who gave Calzaghe his toughest ever fight?
JonOli
08-22-2008, 04:25 PM
Who gave Calzaghe his toughest ever fight?
"Roy Jones, he's also a legend, isn't he? I'm a legend killer. Send in another one, and I'll send them all packing."
Joe Calzaghe
FLINT ISLAND
08-22-2008, 04:28 PM
Sakio Bika in my eyes
in Joes own words - Chris Eubank
D-MAC
08-22-2008, 04:30 PM
Robin Reid
Robin Reid. He was never in danger of losing to Hopkins despite looking horrible if you can actually score a fight, the supposed controversy which is down to the inept scoring of a stupid bitch is a miscarriage of justice
There was only a couple points in it against prime Robin, very underrated fighter.
JonOli
08-22-2008, 04:39 PM
Computer stats are all very trivial and pretty worthless - but according to them Reid did actually land more during the fight then Calzaghe (by a whisker mind).
Calzaghe did hurt his hand during that fight though - or so I read.
FLINT ISLAND
08-22-2008, 04:41 PM
Calzaghe took all Reids shots though
Reid could not miss with the right hand but Calzaghe took them all night
but against Bika he was
sucking in air heavy
he was cut
it was very rough
and this guy was dangerous and strong throughout
I thought there was alot of potential for Calzaghe losing that fight if he lost concentration
TommyV
08-22-2008, 04:58 PM
Lol @ Jeff Lacy.
I'm happy to agree with Bika.
It depends on definition. If you are asking toughest in the sense closest to actually losing, it has to be Reid.
Bika was tough mentally and physically. It was hard to be motivated, and Bika is very rough. Calzaghe was never in danger of losing on points, and he didn't really look like getting knocked out any point despite the cut.
Bodysnatcher
08-22-2008, 05:02 PM
Reid ultimately paid for a slow start.
I don't think he won a round until the fifth.
GazOC
08-22-2008, 05:08 PM
Eubank was a very demanding fight for a young Calzaghe. I have to admit I can't remember much about the Bika fight.
FLINT ISLAND
08-22-2008, 05:08 PM
Calzaghe fought down the Penlan club when he was a amateur
about 6 miles away from me
it was one of his easiest fights though
apparantlty it was a KO or TKO 1st round
Claypole
08-22-2008, 05:20 PM
about 6 miles away from me
That's a long garden you've got there, Flint.
Calzaghe fought down the Penlan club when he was a amateur
about 6 miles away from me
it was one of his easiest fights though
apparantlty it was a KO or TKO 1st round
Yes Joe was an outstanding amateur
Calzaghe started boxing aged nine, with the southpaw having 120+ fights and won four schoolboy ABA titles, followed by three consecutive senior British ABA titles (British Championships) from 1991 to 1993. This made him only the second boxer in history to win at welter, light middleweight and middleweight divisions - Wikipedia
mstar
08-22-2008, 05:35 PM
true reid threw the right hand all night and joe took it on the chin all night... sure it was close but i gave it to calzaghe by 2 points. but happy to accept bika, hopkins fights were his toughest
GazOC
08-22-2008, 05:45 PM
I didn't think Hopkins was THAT tough, it wasn't a walk in the park but I don't think Joe really had to put it all on the line at any point.
LiamE
08-22-2008, 05:49 PM
Reid ultimately paid for a slow start.
I don't think he won a round until the fifth.
It wasnt so much a slow start as Joe was beating Reid clearly till he injured his hand in the 5th.
mike464
08-22-2008, 05:52 PM
I thought Hopkins beat him so I'll say Hopkins. The Reid fight was bloody close so that's up there too. Kessler third.
Fat Joe
08-22-2008, 06:02 PM
Hopkins
Diablo
08-22-2008, 06:10 PM
Im surprised Brewer isnt even on the poll. After that fight Joe said it was tough, although not as tough as eubank.
columbo man
08-22-2008, 06:14 PM
i thought bika gave him a real good test, he also soaked up some punishment and kept on going, either calzaghe was not punching hard or bika has a hell of a chin!!!!
GazOC
08-22-2008, 06:16 PM
Don't take this the wrong way guys but have the people who voted for the Hopkins fight seen the Eubank fight? I though Calzaghe-Eubank was a much harder fight for JC...
JonOli
08-22-2008, 06:18 PM
Im surprised Brewer isn't even on the poll. After that fight Joe said it was tough, although not as tough as eubank.
Yea, Brewer is reported as a messy hard fought one but the scoring wasn't close at all (not as close as those I stook up). I could have perhaps put it up there but you only get ten spots, and I left one for Other ie Brewer... etc..
Diablo
08-22-2008, 06:18 PM
The Bika fight was rough but i dont remember it being that hard on Joe. Lack of motivation and sore hands played their part in much of the mentioned opponents.
The Hopkins fight wasn't close. 115-112 Calzaghe is a reasonable score with a knockdown.
Calzaghe wasn't even under any sort of threat from round 4 onwards either.
JonOli
08-22-2008, 06:23 PM
I didn't score it at the time, but personally I thought the decision could have gone either way at the end, and judging by Joes and Enzos faces I think they did as well.
They were probably worried about getting screwed over by the judges and also not happy with Joe's performance, which in the end was a reasonable concern considering Bird's scorecard. Get that bitch back in the kitchen :-(
GazOC
08-22-2008, 06:27 PM
I agree, when the final bell went I was more concerned with poor scoring costing Calzaghe the fight away from home rather than thinking he actually deserved to lose.
Joe fought like shit too, which can't be underestimated. I don't think either looked happy with that performance. Some of it was down to a bad stylistic clash, but he made errors too. He didn't double up on his jab enough before following in behind it which allowed Hopkins to tie him up easily and do his bullshit.
Horrible.
JonOli
08-22-2008, 06:34 PM
The scores were clearly filtered through before the announcement. Hopkins face went from a grin to morose, and ****** gained a big cheesy smile.
GazOC
08-22-2008, 06:41 PM
The scores were clearly filtered through before the announcement. Hopkins face went from a grin to morose, and ****** gained a big cheesy smile.
That happens a hell of a lot, I always watch the fighters and their corners faces before the verdict is announced.
JonOli
08-22-2008, 06:45 PM
Triple post...
JonOli
08-22-2008, 06:47 PM
That happens a hell of a lot, I always watch the fighters and their corners faces before the verdict is announced.
Yea it does, I haven't noticed it so obvious as in that fight though. Perhaps its because the result was a reverse of what the faces were originally showing, or perhaps it's because I had a fair few pounds riding on it.
I backed Bernard originally at the long odds, then layed my bet off in round 3 or 4, and stuck some on Joe at the longer odds; as his price had drifted due the early knockdown and being behind.
JonOli
08-22-2008, 06:47 PM
triple post... yikes
D-MAC
08-22-2008, 06:59 PM
I went for Reid, but come to think about it the fight with Byron Mitchell was the closest that Joe has come to a TKO/KO defeat. He looked fucked after the kd; it was a monstrous punch. If Mitchell had have picked his shots, instead of going in all guns blazing, he could well have stopped Joe. It was short, but it was a hell of a tough fight.
Ilesey
08-22-2008, 07:10 PM
Calzaghe has mentioned in the past that Eubank gave him his hardest fight and I can see why. In my opinion his toughest fight was with Kessler, who held his own very well early on. Hopkins is worth a runner up prize as well.
JonOli
08-22-2008, 07:11 PM
One thing that strangely is hardley ever mentioned about the Hopkins fight is that it was Calzaghes first ever outing at LH. Some fighters take an easy fight at the new weight to acclimatise first.
Robin reid. It was a really good fight. Bike gave him a good fight, i gave him the last four rounds. I can only assume he didnt take him seriously. I actually loved the Bike fight though. Joe bammed him up like a retard for the first few rounds, it was really funny, patting him on the head and shit. But Robin really did give a good fight, Joe fought Robins fight that night but Joe won by two rounds in my opinion, still it was a hard nights work.
ryanty22
08-22-2008, 08:04 PM
Robin Reid. He was never in danger of losing to Hopkins despite looking horrible if you can actually score a fight, the supposed controversy which is down to the inept scoring of a stupid bitch is a miscarriage of justice
There was only a couple points in it against prime Robin, very underrated fighter.
woah little anger there partner? she cant be that stupid and i dont know her so i cant say whether she is a bitch or not. she has scored tons of fights and alot of elite level fights too. ill agree i didnt have hopkins winning the fight i had it a draw with several rounds being able to go either way which is how hopkins fights allways look. and just about everyone ive talked to viewed it the same way. id say that was calzaghes toughest fight and the closest ive heard of him coming to losing
woah little anger there partner? she cant be that stupid and i dont know her so i cant say whether she is a bitch or not. she has scored tons of fights and alot of elite level fights too. ill agree i didnt have hopkins winning the fight i had it a draw with several rounds being able to go either way which is how hopkins fights allways look. and just about everyone ive talked to viewed it the same way. id say that was calzaghes toughest fight and the closest ive heard of him coming to losing
I was angry at the time, but not now. All is well that ends well.
TheH1tMan
08-23-2008, 01:44 AM
According to Joe himself, Kessler is the best fighter he has met.
However he has said that the Lacy fight and the Eubank fight very just as exciting for him due to the context they happened in. Remember that Hopkins would have been given 1 round by the refs if it had happened in Cardiff, Wales with 50.000 spectators. As such, I don't think there is much doubt that it is Kessler.
Reid could be one to consider but Calzaghe was injured so that doesn't really count.
Betty Swollocks
08-23-2008, 02:01 AM
Reid, that was the only fight I thought Calzaghe lost or came close to losing.
The wierd thing was that after 12 rounds against Hopkins, the live oddsmakers made Hopkins a strong favourtie and so did most people it seems, the decision shocked a lot of folks.
TheH1tMan
08-23-2008, 02:16 AM
Reid, that was the only fight I thought Calzaghe lost or came close to losing.
The wierd thing was that after 12 rounds against Hopkins, the live oddsmakers made Hopkins a strong favourtie and so did most people it seems, the decision shocked a lot of folks.
I have never meet anyone that thinks it was remotely close. The only place I have seem some people claiming it was close is here os ESB. It was of course not close at all and I can only assume that the people that think it was close - are either kidding or very biased towards their own nationality.
Betty Swollocks
08-23-2008, 02:23 AM
I have never meet anyone that thinks it was remotely close. The only place I have seem some people claiming it was close is here os ESB. It was of course not close at all and I can only assume that the people that think it was close - are either kidding or very based towards their own nationality.
I thought Calzaghe won clearly, but i'm telling you for a fact that Calzaghe was 3/1 at the end of 12 rounds and pretty big money was being exchanged at that mark, and on Hopkins at 1.40.
I think a part of that was folks didn't think Cal would get the nod in Vegas, but still 3/1 was making him as big outsider.
also, some respected boxing scribes had Hopkins winning.
TheH1tMan
08-23-2008, 02:28 AM
I thought Calzaghe won clearly, but i'm telling you for a fact that Calzaghe was 3/1 at the end of 12 rounds and pretty big money was being exchanged at that mark, and on Hopkins at 1.40.
I think a part of that was folks didn't think Cal would get the nod in Vegas, but still 3/1 was making him as big outsider.
also, some respected boxing scribes had Hopkins winning.
Yes, I watched the fight in Europe (not the UK) and noone thought it was remotely close. So these impartial countries were not in doubt. That some Americans thought that Calzaghe would not get his clear win in Vegas - well, yeah, but Hopkins on the other hand would hve gotten only round one on the score cards in Wales. In the rest of the rounds he did hardly anything and this would have been scored like that in Wales.
LiamE
08-23-2008, 02:37 AM
I thought Calzaghe won clearly, but i'm telling you for a fact that Calzaghe was 3/1 at the end of 12 rounds and pretty big money was being exchanged at that mark, and on Hopkins at 1.40.
I think a part of that was folks didn't think Cal would get the nod in Vegas, but still 3/1 was making him as big outsider.
also, some respected boxing scribes had Hopkins winning.
Many respected boxing scribes said Lacy was going to KO Joe.
GazOC
08-23-2008, 06:04 AM
I thought Calzaghe won clearly, but i'm telling you for a fact that Calzaghe was 3/1 at the end of 12 rounds and pretty big money was being exchanged at that mark, and on Hopkins at 1.40.
I think a part of that was folks didn't think Cal would get the nod in Vegas, but still 3/1 was making him as big outsider.
also, some respected boxing scribes had Hopkins winning.
Some of the boxing writers will claim a 'win' for the guy they've picked before the fight in order to maintain some credibility with their readers. Its worth checking who they went for pre-fight if they post a 'suspect' score.
JonOli
08-23-2008, 06:55 AM
scored like that in Wales.
Scored like in Wales aye. :think Any scoring is going to be questionable wherever it is. What was that Witter SD all about?
Well I thought it was close, and it all boils down to how much priority you place on affective aggression, and what you view as affective aggression.
I have no problems with the result being given to Joe as he was the one trying to force the fight all night, but it was blatantly evident to anyone without bias that it was Bernard who was landing cleanly all night (just not enough), and with real force -and Joe who barley landed anything meaningful at all.
Both high profile British and American journalists, figures, query the result. Accepted that some may do so to cover their prediction.
Benjiabc
08-23-2008, 08:22 AM
got to be reid or hopkins, the way hopkins thought i dont class that as a boxing, so i voted for reid, which despite being a calzaghe fan, i thought reid won
AlFrancis
08-23-2008, 08:36 AM
Although I never scored it at the time I felt Robin Reid beat him.
Rebel-INS
08-23-2008, 09:01 AM
Manfredo JR.
ghostlybadge
08-23-2008, 12:13 PM
i think reid was the closest that JC ever come to loosing the first time i watched i gave it to reid by 1 round but after watching over and over i give it to JC by 1 or 2.
Byron mitchel fight was a hard one also even though it was short it was the first time JC had been down and to get back up and finish your man off while you look like you dont know who you are never mind where you are is something special.
BHOP fight was an easy one after round 3 and i felt the only way JC could have lost that was by some crazy scoring from the home judges
i think reid was the closest that JC ever come to loosing the first time i watched i gave it to reid by 1 round but after watching over and over i give it to JC by 1 or 2.
Byron mitchel fight was a hard one also even though it was short it was the first time JC had been down and to get back up and finish your man off while you look like you dont know who you are never mind where you are is something special.
BHOP fight was an easy one after round 3 and i felt the only way JC could have lost that was by some crazy scoring from the home judges
Perfect analysis.
He was never in danger against Hopkins except those early rounds, but everybody should know how Calzaghe adapts by now, it wasn't too worrying. If he was struggling in round 6 I'd be worrying.
Messy...yes. Close...not really. Hopkins didn't do shit but hold, all these "clean shots" he landed is complete bullshit. He landed a few, but you expect this from an expert counterpuncher with great timing. But over the course of 12 rounds, he didn't do anything like enough.
JonOli
08-23-2008, 12:31 PM
Joe himself stated that Hopkins was one of his toughest ever fights.
"It was one of the toughest fights of my career.
"He is very clever. He was so awkward. It wasn't pretty, but I won the fight.
"It wasn't my best night, but I know I won.
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
"I'm a legend killer - I just finished B-Hop, maybe Roy Jones is next."
Joe "Legend killer" Calzaghe
JonOli
08-23-2008, 01:47 PM
Joe "Legend killer" Calzaghe
Do you want to put it to a vote. :D
Do you want to put it to a vote. :D
You can, but facts are facts.
Jones and Hopkins are held up as legends on here, and rightly so, particularly in the first instance.
FLINT ISLAND
08-23-2008, 02:06 PM
Manfredo JR.
:rofl :rofl :rofl
nicofly
08-24-2008, 01:00 AM
Manfredo JR.
:rofl :rofl :rofl When he said 'Im the real Rocky' when he was getting interviewed before the fight. TOSSER
Beeston Brawler
08-24-2008, 05:34 AM
I felt the post fight presser was the best, whining like a little bitch he was.
1stcontact
08-24-2008, 08:09 AM
Manfredo JR.:patsch
The only thing hard for Calzaghe in the Manfredo fight was explaining why on earth he was fighting that chump:huh
GazOC
08-24-2008, 08:11 AM
Whooosh!:lol:
Rebel-INS
08-24-2008, 09:01 AM
Whooosh!:lol:
I know. Surely everyone must've noticed that was sarcasm?
brown bomber
08-24-2008, 10:59 AM
100% Official Answer:
MICHAEL SMYTH
JonOli
08-24-2008, 04:33 PM
Who's that the guy who beat him in the amateurs?
DamonD
08-24-2008, 04:39 PM
I'd say Eubank, followed by Reid.
The Reid fight was a bit tighter, but the Calzaghe that fought Eubank was greener.
JonOli
08-24-2008, 06:06 PM
I'd say Eubank, followed by Reid.
but the Calzaghe that fought Eubank was greener.
People always say that, and he may well have been but he'd still fought as many pro fights as Haye has now.
Calzaghe says Eubank so who can argue with that?
In my view i would pick Kessler due to the fact he was aof a higher calibre fighter (in my eyes). Two great champions.
Bodysnatcher
08-25-2008, 12:33 PM
People always say that, and he may well have been but he'd still fought as many pro fights as Haye has now.
Yeah, but the jump in class he took was absolutely massive, even if Eubank was faded.
His best opponent before then was probably Delaney.
brown_bomber
08-25-2008, 02:45 PM
robin reid wihtout a doubt but hopkins still knocked his ass down
brown bomber
08-26-2008, 06:46 AM
Who's that the guy who beat him in the amateurs? Yes his last loss.... I've got it on my pc at home may upload it later if anyone wants to see.
pecks
08-26-2008, 07:30 AM
I havent seen his fight with Reid, but from what I've seen, Kessler gave him his toughest fight even though hopkins got closer to him on the cards.
Bika's was more of a frustrating, and off putting fight.
TheH1tMan
08-26-2008, 07:56 AM
I havent seen his fight with Reid, but from what I've seen, Kessler gave him his toughest fight even though hopkins got closer to him on the cards.
Bika's was more of a frustrating, and off putting fight.
Looking at the answers (not the poll itself) and looking at other fora your oppinion seem to be the consensus oppinion among the knowledgable fans.
pecks
08-26-2008, 08:24 AM
Looking at the answers (not the poll itself) and looking at other fora your oppinion seem to be the consensus oppinion among the knowledgable fans.Yeah, but next time don't say it like that. A simple :good would suffice.
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