supermiddleweight tounament, how would joe fare

[C-Lo]

An anywhere close to prime Calzaghe schools everyone involved in the tournament. He'd probably stop Taylor and if he fought Froch it would look similar to (if not worse than) the Lacy fight. Hell, he'd probably school everyone if he entered the tournament today.

After the Lacy fight I thought Taylor would have a shot at beating Joe. With his jab, I think he could've caught Joe coming in and held him at bay, also getting aggressive every now and then throwing the right hand behind it. But after seeing him against Froch and his stamina issues and not being able to close a fight he has in the bag, Joe would've eaten him alive. In Joe's prime, it would be a massacre...

If Taylor could fight the same way he does in the first couple rounds throughout the fight, I'd give him a chance (albeit a slim one) chance of upsetting Calzaghe. However, if Taylor was able to do that he'd be a top 10 P4P fighter as well.

I edited the post you quoted from me.

I added:

I still think he has a shot at this tournament. But my thinking process around this is based on a whole lot of "IF'S." Taylor has the ability to outbox anyone and he has one of the best jabs in boxing but again this is all based on if he can stay on his feet til the final bell.

Good to know we're on the same page as usual...

[YIDDLE]

calzaghe would win the whole thing,but would he have entered tournament if still fighting and if he had would he finish it, there is a chance he would pull out with damaged hands

[paddy448]

as said earlier i was watching some of calzaghes best nights, and i miss the dude to be honest, he was a great, great fighter, just wish he would of took the bigger fights a little earlier,i dont think well see someone like him again, style wise and that, pure class he was

[Conrad]

...btw, I think Joe wins it fairly easily. I find it a little funny how now he's retired and I'm starting to appreciate him more. I always thought he was overrated, but in retrospect, he was a great fighter.

You know I was thinking the very same thing reading through the posts on this thread. There was a lot of Calzaghe hatred on here not even a year ago, I said at the time that people would appreciate him more once he was retired. Looks like that's starting to be the case...

[LEGION]

...btw, I think Joe wins it fairly easily. I find it a little funny how now he's retired and I'm starting to appreciate him more. I always thought he was overrated, but in retrospect, he was a great fighter.

You know I was thinking the very same thing reading through the posts on this thread. There was a lot of Calzaghe hatred on here not even a year ago, I said at the time that people would appreciate him more once he was retired. Looks like that's starting to be the case...

I gotta' eat a little crow myself; I miss having him around. I sill have doubts about is legacy and wasn't so much a fan of his slap happy style; but he was very talented no doubt about it.

I think some has to do with Kessler not fulfilling his role of heir apparent when Joe stepped down; whether it's Kessler or his promoters fault is irrelevant; we all want that top spot to be occupied and Joe did it well. The SMW division is stacked; but there isn't one true superstar to fill that void and might not be for a while. Alot of Knights fighting but no King to oversee it so to speak.

[ICB]

...btw, I think Joe wins it fairly easily. I find it a little funny how now he's retired and I'm starting to appreciate him more. I always thought he was overrated, but in retrospect, he was a great fighter.

You know I was thinking the very same thing reading through the posts on this thread. There was a lot of Calzaghe hatred on here not even a year ago, I said at the time that people would appreciate him more once he was retired. Looks like that's starting to be the case...

Nah i still think hes an asshole

[jangeorg]

I think Kessler will beat Calzaghe if they fight again, Kessler has learn a lot from his defeat to Calzaghe, this time he will be better prepared, Kessler will not make the same mistake twice

[LEGION]

I think Kessler will beat Calzaghe if they fight again, Kessler has learn a lot from his defeat to Calzaghe, this time he will be better prepared, Kessler will not make the same mistake twice

He'll never get that oppotunity; maybe he shoud have tried harder the 1st time. Coping mechanisms are a wonderful thing

[paddy448]

I think Kessler will beat Calzaghe if they fight again, Kessler has learn a lot from his defeat to Calzaghe, this time he will be better prepared, Kessler will not make the same mistake twice

i
disagree fella, kessler is a hugely talented fighter i love his style, and once he gets his career back on track he will rule 168 for years, maybe even lightheavy, but 9 times out of 10 calzaghe beats kessler in my opinion, to much work rate, he couldnt live with joe in that deparment down the stretch thats why he lost

[Bomp]

Agreed with Ouma, prime for prime no problem, but now and having the tourney last possibbly 20 months it'd be hard for him, especially against Kessler.

This tournament if it comes off 'll be great, can't wait.

[Violent Demise]

im just waitin for people to start gettin on my back for talkin about calzaghe still, so neg rep me its ok i understand.anyway what im gettin at is this 168 tournament going down soon, weve got froch,kessler, direll, green and so on, what im sayin is how do u think think calzaghe would fare in this this tournament if he was still kickin about today, i no hes already beat the favourite in kessler, but what about the other fighters, dirrerent styles different outcomes ah fellas, i just watched calzaghe again the other week against lacy, kessler, hopkins,jones, and i think he would clean this tournament out, whats ur thoughts guys

I have no doubt Joe would pulled out of at least 2 of the fights claiming some type of injury

[porkypara]

Joe's biggest problem would be staying injury FREE.

[DaxxKahn]

I say JC beats them all with Bute giving the most problems style wise......

[bzkfn]

I would say Joe would win it. As for the Tournament itself, I think Arthur Abraham will win it.

[blegit]

Calzaghe would win this tournament convincingly. Calzaghe has too many great tools. The only fighters who would even be a problem for several rounds would be guys like Ward or Dirrell, only style problems, who are basically very slick boxers like Calzaghe. But Calzaghe is way too seasoned and has an unmatched workrate. I think people are going to see Kessler for what he is. Durable, strong but very robotic and extremely predictable. He'll take a couple of losses. A guy like Taylor would not fair well against him though. Calzaghe would beat Kessler more convincing than last time. Calzaghe fought more to Kessler style, in front of him, and still won without a doubt. I think one of the young guns come of age here. But to reiterate, nobody on that tournament list gives Calzaghe very much trouble.