Quote Originally Posted by TitoFan View Post
I think we're all getting off the subject here. Although I do admit I didn't think this thread would generate this much emotion. Must've touched a nerve somewhere.



This is what kind of bugs me. Its not the Calzaghe fans getting emotional at all. Its a matter of a road paved with good intentions leading to hell. Who is more likeable was the question and it quickly turned into Calzaghes credentials as a fighter. I'd rather go for a pint with Carl but Calzaghe would have kicked the living snot out of him. Before he broke his hands on Omars face or after.

Fact is... and speaking for myself... I'm not a Calzaghe hater. The man did what he did, and more power to him. He managed to finish his career undefeated, which a lot of fighters are not able to do. Of course... those same fighters face more dangerous and higher level opposition in the upper stages of their careers, also. Facts are facts. Calzaghe had the Kessler fight, and a couple of others. But all in all... other fighters with lesser records (ie: losses to their name) have had more impressive careers. Again, not hate... just facts.

There are no false facts. I find it easier to respond this way at times and bold my replies to portions rather then quote the post and respond. I sincerely mean no offense by this format. Its not Calzaghes fault that 168 was anorexic at his peak anymore then it was the fault of Hopkins for a mediocre 160 division or Marciano for a less then stellar heavyweight division. What stands out for Joe is the Lacy fight and the Kessler fight for me at a time when 175 was looming. Facts are facts.

Nowhere in the thread title or any of my posts have I claimed that Froch is, was, or will ever be a better fighter than Calzaghe. Nowhere. Only that Froch is easier to like than Calzaghe. And that point has hardly been disputed, even by diehard Calzaghe fans.

Fair enough.

I was enlightened as to Calzaghe's brittle hands and how he changed styles somewhere during his career. Well... all that explains is why his fights have been so "fan un-friendly". At least from my vantage point. You see, while I admire that he continued fighting, even with his brittle hands, it still remains true that I did not like any of his highly publicized fights. His fight against Hopkins was absolutely deplorable, probably because Hopkins himself has never been fun to watch. Then there's the fact that Calzaghe chose Peter Manfredo as an opponent. And if that wasn't ridiculous enough, the "flurry" that ended the fight was downright laughable. Not one punch thrown in anger. If I was Manfredo and I watched a replay of that last flurry..... I'd hang myself. Anyway, Manfredo had no business being there in the first place.

I'm kind of enlightened by your enlightenment. The fact that he did what he did after hand problems is remarkable. Other fighters have done the same thing as Joe and won in the same style w/o hand problems. Ali stole more rounds slapping then probably anyone in history. Ray Leonard, Joe Gans, Nicolino Locche, Langford etc etc. Manfredo was a contender star and Stieglitz was not going to fight Joe mandatory or not so Joe dumped the IBF and fought Manfredo for the money and exposure. Fact.

As a fan, I have my tastes in boxing. I like action fights and action fighters, such as was Gatti.... Barrera... Corrales.... Cotto. I also like master boxers, such as Mayweather. Floyd gained a lot of respect from me with his showing against Cotto.

Limon/Chacon 4 is as fine as Leonard/Benitez for me.

But whether they're brawlers or boxers..... I still need to see PUNCHES..... not SLAPS!!! I want to see a slapfest.... I'll pinch a woman in the ass at a bar and blame the guy next to me.
I had to say something in order to get past a character limit. This would be that something lol

Peace man.