Ward vs Calzaghe

[Gandalf]

Calzaghe just has too much for Ward IMO. Ward could slow down the output, but he is still going to get hit to the head and body 20 times each round and I don't think he has the pop to slow Calzaghe down. Unless you are going to hit Calzaghe 20 times as well, then you are just going to fall behind. Ward's only chance is a Calzaghe hand injury IMO. Calzaghe is unorthodox and you cannot train for a style like that.

[Master]

Calzaghe just has too much for Ward IMO. Ward could slow down the output, but he is still going to get hit to the head and body 20 times each round and I don't think he has the pop to slow Calzaghe down. Unless you are going to hit Calzaghe 20 times as well, then you are just going to fall behind. Ward's only chance is a Calzaghe hand injury IMO. Calzaghe is unorthodox and you cannot train for a style like that.

Ward always finds a way to beat you. His timing is impeccable and his adapting to find his opponents weakness is up there with the best. I can see Ward do a Hopkins type spoiler victory in his own country.

I could also see Joe just throw machine gun punches and force the win as he did with Hopkins.

[El Kabong]

If they fought in Oakland Ward wins a split decision if they fought in the UK or just outside of California I think it's a draw or split decision for Calzaghe.

I never rated Calzaghe while he was around because I looked at his opponents and was never impressed with them, but credit where credit is due Calzaghe never took ANYONE lightly which is why he retired undefeated. He also picked his matches a bit like Floyd has....now OK RJJ, Hopkins, those guys didn't want to travel to fight Joe they did once they knew it was close to the last big money they would make.


Andre Ward will like Calzaghe look better when he's retired and people can understand how good he was. That ugly style makes it harder for you to be beaten, some fans hate it, but damnit it fucking works. The only way around it is doing the things that are hardest for fighters to do which is move your head, move your body, stay on balance, keep leverage on your punches, and don't get hit in return....there's a lot of moving parts to counter that style and not everyone is cut out for it.

[Gandalf]

Calzaghe just has too much for Ward IMO. Ward could slow down the output, but he is still going to get hit to the head and body 20 times each round and I don't think he has the pop to slow Calzaghe down. Unless you are going to hit Calzaghe 20 times as well, then you are just going to fall behind. Ward's only chance is a Calzaghe hand injury IMO. Calzaghe is unorthodox and you cannot train for a style like that.

Ward always finds a way to beat you. His timing is impeccable and his adapting to find his opponents weakness is up there with the best. I can see Ward do a Hopkins type spoiler victory in his own country.

I could also see Joe just throw machine gun punches and force the win as he did with Hopkins.

Kovalev beat him handily enough and Kovalev is a limited outptut, gets tired kind of fighter.

Exactly, it would be an ugly fight, but the machine would beat an opponent who only throws 30 punches a round. Ward has never had to work like that before, whereas we already know Calzaghe can beat a Hopkins type 9 rounds to 3.

[Alpha]

I would have loved to see Toney vs Calzaghe.

[Gandalf]

I would have loved to see Toney vs Calzaghe.

Oh, don't do that to me. That is some sexy talk.

[Alpha]

I would have loved to see Toney vs Calzaghe.

Oh, don't do that to me. That is some sexy talk.

At 168, both greats, I lean towards Toney, maybe even by late stoppage

[Gandalf]

I would have loved to see Toney vs Calzaghe.

Oh, don't do that to me. That is some sexy talk.

At 168, both greats, I lean towards Toney, maybe even by late stoppage

Those two are my favorite fighters. Calzaghe takes Ward IMO through workrate. I think Toney beats Ward too as Ward couldn't hurt him or put a dent in him and I think Toney too would outwork him and just be slicker defensively. Ward isn't especially slick, he's more of a John Ruiz with hand speed. I think Toney would land the cleaner shots and work a decision.

Toney/Calzaghe? You would have to give me several valium and put me in a corner of the room somewhere. Too much. I couldn't predict it, though my hunch is that the work rate might be the difference. It's just too beautiful to even contemplate. You would have right there two unique styles and you would get a very fun fight. You never get a fun Andre Ward fight. It isn't even a style, it's just horrible.