By Philip Green: The parallels between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Joe Calzaghe are growing ever more apparent by the day. Both fighters hold unbeaten records spanning 40+ fights and each attracts his own share of praise and criticism. Whilst possessing uniquely different skill sets, Mayweather and Calzaghe’s reign at the top of their respective divisions is not without controversy. Each can be accused of cherry-picking or avoiding opponents and having dubious decisions go in their favour. So let’s take a look at the career highlights of these two boxing icons from either side of the Atlantic and see how their ‘legacies’ compare.
Mayweather vs Castillo, Calzaghe vs Reid
The first big tests for Mayweather and Calzaghe, long before they hit the big time. Scraping through these tough bouts proved an essential learning experience and highlighted the danger of engaging in too many wars against live opponents.
Mayweather vs Gatti, Calzaghe vs Veit
Both Gatti and Veit had good records and large support, but were hopelessly outmatched against their quicker and more powerful opponents. Whilst the names are good to have on your record, these fighters offer little to the generation of ‘legacies’.
Mayweather vs Baldomir, Calzaghe vs Lacy
Baldomir and Lacy were both coming off the back of impressive victories and these big punchers supposedly had the power to trouble their opponent. However, the difference in speed was again glaringly obvious and Mayweather and Calzaghe dished out round after round of punishment whilst taking little in return.
Mayweather vs Hatton, Calzaghe vs Kessler
In many ways these were the career defining fights for Mayweather and Calzaghe. Both were against popular, unbeaten European fighters who provided difficulties in the early rounds but were unable to change their style when they began to fall behind. These bouts attracted huge audiences and brought wide acclaim to the still unbeaten champions.
Mayweather vs De la Hoya, Calzaghe vs Hopkins
Good starts by De la Hoya and Hopkins both showing there class and skill. However, their age contributed to their tiredness in the later rounds and subsequent loss by narrow decision. A good case could be made for both De la Hoya and Hopkins having won the fights and this opinion is still held by many fans.
Mayweather vs Marquez, Calzaghe vs Jones Jr
Two stars nearing the end of their careers were cruelly exposed in a way that was sad to watch. Although Jones managed a better start than Marquez, the bouts soon became exhibitions in which Mayweather and Calzaghe held back and avoided going for the kill. Marquez’s size and Jones’s age meant they were out of their depth and simply adding to the resumes of Mayweather and Calzaghe in name only.
Mayweather vs Pacquiao, Calzaghe vs Dawson
These two stars in the prime of their careers would surely have provided a stern test. Whether they could have inflicted Mayweather and Calzaghe with their first loss is a matter for further debate. What is certain though is that they were career defining fights that needed to happen before the word ‘legacy’ should begin to be used.
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