Prime Calzaghe vs Golovkin

[brocktonblockbust]

Nobody ever talks about that matchup what would happen in this

[mikeeod]

Interesting fight, in my opinion. Joe was very fast and athletic, had phenomenal stamina, was mentally tough, and a very unorthodox fighter. GGG is a great puncher, underrated technician, murderous body puncher, and the best at cutting off the ring since a prime Julio Ceasar Chavez (Sr.).

I can see a case where people say Joe uses his speed and toughness to box GGG silly, as he did vs. Jeff Lacy. I see this fight going differently, however. If an ancient Hop and Roy Jones could drop Joe, I think that GGG would have the punch to stop him.

I see Joe using speed and movement to potshot GGG and take off to an early lead. I see GGG being relentless, cutting the ring off, and punishing Joe to the body, while parrying many of Joes shots. While Joe had a ton of heart and great stamina, I see the relentless pressure and body attack slowing him down, with GGG scoring a few knock downs on his way to a come from behind stoppage win.

As I said at the start of my post, great match up and I can see a solid case for either guy winning.

[SlimTrae]

GGG hasn't fought anyone yet to merit the discussion.
Not that he is to blame.
Until then JC =UD

[p4pking]

^ Pretty much agree. GGG isn't a big middleweight, and given how poor the division is now, until(if) he fights at 168, who knows? Not that JC didn't have his own stretch of weak opposition mind, just he proved to be as good as anyone could have thought when it came time, likely after he had already slipped a bit. GGG might have to hope for a similar scenario, unfortunately.

[brocktonblockbust]

Clazaghe SD

[Fenster]

Calzaghe looks naturally too big for him. Then throw in his speed, unreal engine, punch output, granite chin (a few flash knockdowns in nearly fifty fights), adaptability and unique style - GGG has got two hopes.

Young Calzaghe TKO.

Old Calzaghe UD.

[Primo Carnera]

Calzaghe looks naturally too big for him. Then throw in his speed, unreal engine, punch output, granite chin (a few flash knockdowns in nearly fifty fights), adaptability and unique style - GGG has got two hopes.

Young Calzaghe TKO.

Old Calzaghe UD.

I'd agree with all of that except the TKO.
Let's not forget that any time GGG Has been hit hard (and he has from time to time), he's just walked through it.
Calzaghe UD All day long, young or old.

[Dia bando]

Interesting match GGG is not a big guy size count's in this match up.Calzaghe wins on a hard fought UD.

[El Kabong]

Haven't seen GGG at 168 so we don't know if his power carries (which is something that typically doesn't get asked about in the higher weight classes for some reason).


Calzaghe wasn't big on fighting top tier guys in their primes so I personally think although he certainly is one of the best ever at 168 I think his resume could have been and should have been much better.


Kovalev vs Calzaghe is the question you should be asking

[p4pking]

I definitely think Kovalev would have beat Calzaghe, who I do think is a bit overrated on this forum.

[Primo Carnera]

I definitely think Kovalev would have beat Calzaghe, who I do think is a bit overrated on this forum.

Fair point. If you think Kovalev hammered Hopkins whereas Calzaghe struggled with him and there was only a few years difference , then fair enough.
And Calzaghe would be up against it as he was a natural SMW and Kovalev is a natural LHW , maybe bigger.
Similar to why I think Calzaghe would beat GGG .

[Vendettos]

Fuck off!

Calzaghe beat fighters that would beat Golovkin.

No contest.

[p4pking]

I definitely think Kovalev would have beat Calzaghe, who I do think is a bit overrated on this forum.

Fair point. If you think Kovalev hammered Hopkins whereas Calzaghe struggled with him and there was only a few years difference , then fair enough.
And Calzaghe would be up against it as he was a natural SMW and Kovalev is a natural LHW , maybe bigger.
Similar to why I think Calzaghe would beat GGG .

Struggled with him is a bit of an understatement, I still think that's about as hard a fight to score as there is, and I don't think there was that much difference in Hopkins form. Some, but not immense.

[Dia bando]

Yes Calzaghe struggled with the cheat Hopkins once he sused him out Hop started to cheat rolling on the floor like he had been shot.
I can't stand Hopkins always bitching to the ref play acting.
All his fights are shit to watch bloody awful fighter to watch.

[Spicoli]

Yeh I got Calzaghe over 12 all things considered. One guy yet to fight the weight or complete career aside Calzaghe had the mentality and flat out workrate. Golovkins happy go lucky hit me if you want habit of late might see him swatted around to point of messing up that haircut, but he'd be hit often. Could easily see the wheels come off Calzaghe in spots of late rounds and being hurt. We had the opportunity to watch Calzaghe vs everything from hall of famers regardless of stage to one or two big fat bubbles of hype that needed to be popped where Golovkin is pulling a few guys out of the local Planet fitness boxing class and it may be beginning to backfire. He's absolutely dominate that's to his credit and skill is obvious but it also leaves questions.