The jumping weights issue....w/reference to Calzaghe/Wright/Hopkins.

In recent weeks I've heard a number of posters question Calzaghe because he looked slower of foot against Calzaghe and was easier to hit. I've even heard posters use this as validation of their opinion that Calzaghe could be beaten by Pavlik.

However, while some people have attributed Calzaghe's lethargic performance to his advanced age and period of his career, I have to look further into the issue.
In Hopkins' previous fight, a defensively brilliant fighter was seemingly easy prey for Hopkins, who struck him cleanly and regularly. (Granted he also took the liberty of striking him illegally with regularity.)

When taking the case of Wright and Calzaghe I feel that both fighters suffered from the rise in weight. Each fightr, in gaining bodyweight, limited their usual capacity for movement and flexibility and their performances suffered as a result.

I will not denigrate Hopkins' performances in either fight. His footwork, defensive mentality and counterpunching, would have proven problematic for any fighter. But lmost certainly, the additional weight on Calzaghe and Wrights slim frames had a negative effect on their natural styles and abilities.

So I feel that we should settle for fighters competing within their divisions. What is the purpose of taking a great champion like Pavlik and risking his repuatation and record at Super Middleweight/ Of what advantage is it to see 147 champions, having marquee fights at 154? There is no advantage of a champion shifting divisions only to lose only to return to the throne; a battered emperor. Weight gain/loss can rob a good fighter of the abilities he possesses at his natural weight and can result in an unfashionable loss.
Fights between the Big names are wonderful, fantastic events, where the action can grip not only the boxing fan, but the general public, but it can only go on so long, until superfighters lose marketability and fans feel disappointed with fights.

I think fighters such as Haye who feel they've done all they can in a division should by all means move on to higher climbs. But I really want to see the best from each division before we see guys hopping ship.

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

In recent weeks I've heard a number of posters question Calzaghe because he looked slower of foot against Calzaghe and was easier to hit. I've even heard posters use this as validation of their opinion that Calzaghe could be beaten by Pavlik.

However, while some people have attributed Calzaghe's lethargic performance to his advanced age and period of his career, I have to look further into the issue.
In Hopkins' previous fight, a defensively brilliant fighter was seemingly easy prey for Hopkins, who struck him cleanly and regularly. (Granted he also took the liberty of striking him illegally with regularity.)

When taking the case of Wright and Calzaghe I feel that both fighters suffered from the rise in weight. Each fightr, in gaining bodyweight, limited their usual capacity for movement and flexibility and their performances suffered as a result.

I will not denigrate Hopkins' performances in either fight. His footwork, defensive mentality and counterpunching, would have proven problematic for any fighter. But lmost certainly, the additional weight on Calzaghe and Wrights slim frames had a negative effect on their natural styles and abilities.

So I feel that we should settle for fighters competing within their divisions. What is the purpose of taking a great champion like Pavlik and risking his repuatation and record at Super Middleweight/ Of what advantage is it to see 147 champions, having marquee fights at 154? There is no advantage of a champion shifting divisions only to lose only to return to the throne; a battered emperor. Weight gain/loss can rob a good fighter of the abilities he possesses at his natural weight and can result in an unfashionable loss.
Fights between the Big names are wonderful, fantastic events, where the action can grip not only the boxing fan, but the general public, but it can only go on so long, until superfighters lose marketability and fans feel disappointed with fights.

I think fighters such as Haye who feel they've done all they can in a division should by all means move on to higher climbs. But I really want to see the best from each division before we see guys hopping ship.

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I disagree about Calzaghe its well known he has to badly drain himself to make the Super Middleweight limit, so weight wise he should not have been effected. Calzaghe even stated before the fight he felt more comfortable at Light Heavyweight because he didn't have to starve himself. I just think Hopkins makes anyone look bad and it was a bad style match up for Calzaghe, plus i also think age is catching up with Calzaghe.

Calzaghe's movement was reduced and his flexibility decreased.

It's easier for me to make Middle than Light Middle, but I'm at my optimum at Light Middle.
Just because he's more comfortable making the weight does not necessarily mean that he will perform better.

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Calzaghe's movement was reduced and his flexibility decreased.

It's easier for me to make Middle than Light Middle, but I'm at my optimum at Light Middle.
Just because he's more comfortable making the weight does not necessarily mean that he will perform better.

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Well as soon as my injury heals im going to try Middleweight because i walk around at that weight so i'll let you know how that goes. I don't think the weight had anything to do with it personally, i never thought Calzaghe had much flexibility in the upper body as for his movement i don't think his movement was too bad.

I think it was mostly age catching up to Calzaghe plus a bad style match up, Calzaghe's defense is leaky though and he has always had those problems its just he hasn't ever really fought against a good solid counter puncher before who could take advantage of it, especially when Calzaghe throws those flurries wide he leaves himself open for a straight shot right down the pipe, thats why he was floored by Salem for that exact reason.

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Originally Posted by ICB

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Calzaghe's movement was reduced and his flexibility decreased.

It's easier for me to make Middle than Light Middle, but I'm at my optimum at Light Middle.
Just because he's more comfortable making the weight does not necessarily mean that he will perform better.

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Well as soon as my injury heals im going to try Middleweight because i walk around at that weight so i'll let you know how that goes. I don't think the weight had anything to do with it personally, i never thought Calzaghe had much flexibility in the upper body as for his movement i don't think his movement was too bad.

I think it was mostly age catching up to Calzaghe plus a bad style match up, Calzaghe's defense is leaky though and he has always had those problems its just he hasn't ever really fought against a good solid counter puncher before who could take advantage of it, especially when Calzaghe throws those flurries wide he leaves himself open for a straight shot right down the pipe, thats why he was floored by Salem for that exact reason.

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I fought at 160 between the ages of 16 and 18. I then dropped to Light Middle and can honestly say that I'd obliterate a Middleweight version of myself because of the flexibilty and speed diference.

Some guys have an optimum weight.
Winkys is clerly 154 and Calzaghes 168.

Hope the foot heals well.

I think it depends on the fighter - both there body and there style. Cotto, for example, was weight drained at 140 and is a far superior fighter at 147. Also, it depends on when you start fighting and if your body is still naturally filling out. Some guys are are just late bloomers and as they hit their mid to late 20's there frames fill out to the point that there old weight is not correct for them anymore. Pac is and example of this, Hearns and Cotto, too. I don't think Roy Jones lost much going up in weight from Middle to LH.

I think Wright pushed his limit when he decided to fight at 170. I agree that Winky was best and most natural at 154 and Calzaghe was better and most natural at 168. Still, Calzaghe trains pretty old school, I think. If Joe had a Mackie Shillstone type to help him with his conditioning, he would have probably looked better at 175.

I don't blame fighters for moving up in weight to make bigger fights. Shane Mosley could have stuck around 135 longer, but everybody wanted to see him fight ODLH. Mosley moved up and was very good, though probably not as good as he was at LW. Hatton on the other hand is a pure natural LWW and this, combined with his style, won't let him move up effectively.