posted Jul 2, 2008

I think Calazaghe is definately the more accomplished, but hatton will be remembered longer. Calazaghe has fought and beaten everyone put in front of him.
http://www.competitiveurge.com/best_boxing_ko

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posted Jul 2, 2008

Both RH and JC could and should have fought better quality opponents.
My view is RH almost has a real legacy and JC will have a paper record one that does not stand up under scrutiny.
Neither is a Hall of Famer yet and JC will never be if he only just fights a shot RJJ.
How can someone be recognised as a Champ at LH by beating (unconvincingly to say the least) an old man. In this case the Ring Belt sucks.
If JC wants a legacy and HOF he should forget RJJ and win 2 ABC titles at LH and then if Pavlik still undeafeated and prepared to step up to SMW fight him.
Win those 3 and a real legacy/HOF is secure.
RH should now look to clear up the recognised ABC belts at LWW, and then see who comes along - maybe Pacman.

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posted Jul 2, 2008

Hatton never dodged any body! Yes Calzaghe beat Hopkins but at the tail end of his career, if he fought Hopkins 5 years ago outcome would of been different as he only just beat Hopkins! Now he wants Jones JNR, another great fighter but also at the back end of his career, Joe should of fought these guys 5 years ago! Ricky hasn't held the title for ten years but he wants the big fights! He wants people in there prime! Floyd woz in a league of his own Ricky woz out of his depth though it pains me to say it! Ricky moved weights mid career to fight the best, Calzaghe only moved up for the final few pay days! Calzaghe wants records Hatton wants to be remembered as an exciting fighter who never ducked anyone! Joe should of gone to America years ago to fight guys in there prime! For me I will remember Ricky Hatton More than Joe Calzaghe!

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posted Jul 2, 2008

I know Kessler wan't ranked p4p but do you really think Castillo was a bigger challenge for Hatton than Kessler was for Calzaghe? I dont think so anyway.

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According to the P4P rankings YES !!

So do you take all of your opinions directly from P4P ratings? Can you not be objective and form your own opinion?

Well Hopkins was p4p no. 3 when Joe fought him yet you say he was well past it? Why was he ranked so high then? I agree Hopkins was no where near his best but I dont take the p4p rankings as gospel. You cant have it both ways...

Castillo was also well past it, heart wasnt really in it, trouble with the weight etc.. Theres no way Castillo was as big a test as Kessler was.

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posted Jul 2, 2008

JC's record can be questioned but Hopkins was Ring LH champ for a reason. He'd taken the previous champ to school.

Once again why was Kostya Tszyu shot just because he was in his 30's? About as shot as he was when he lost to Phillips I would say.

Castillo beat Ngoudjo on points before Hatton and we now know Herman is a top 5 fighter at LWW. So Castillo about that level when he fought Hatton for me. Good win, not awesome.

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posted Jul 2, 2008

Castillo beat Ngoudjo on points before Hatton and we now know Herman is a top 5 fighter at LWW. So Castillo about that level when he fought Hatton for me. Good win, not awesome.
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Ngoudjo outboxed and outmuscled Castillo. Lord knows how the judges gave him the nod.

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posted Jul 2, 2008

Lots of arguments and record tearing by two sets of loyal fans. Before answering the question, I'll try to provide a few facts.

1) Castillo was not ranked in the top ten P4P fighters by The Ring (which was the "title" being decided) when Hatton fought him. Castillo squeezed a contentious SD against Ngoudjo after being banned for not making weight.

2) Tszyu wasn't past it because of his age. He was considering retirement after beating Mitchell and said as much in the post fight interview. Considering he had bad injuries and retired after fighting Hatton, it lends weight to him being past his peak, however not shot.

3) Calzaghe took over seven years to have a unification bout at SMW.

4) Hatton's team avoided the very real challenge of Junior Witter between 2001 and 2005 while defending the WBU belt against the likes of Pedersen and Vilches.

5) Calzaghe flew over to the US after beating Lacy in style to raise his profile, and came away with a bout against Manfredo.

6) Hatton turned down the opportunity to fight Mayweather at 140lbs. He and his team confessed they wanted more time.

7) Calzaghe has previously slated a bout against Roy Jones (in interview and in his latest book).

Use these as you will. In all honesty I think Hatton and Calzaghe are about evens. Calzaghe may not have been as ambitious but I think his resume and longevity holds up against Hatton's career 38 fights+ (before that it wasn't great). Calzaghe missed his "Mayweather" fight, if you will, in RJJ at his peak, but Hatton getting KO'd in his dream bout doesn't make his legacy better for me. It just meant that a question of class was answered in emphatically. Hatton did shrug off the ball and chain in Warren and is still looking to get big fights after defeat, to his credit.

Based on talent (exhibited over career), record, resume and achievements I have them on par with each other. How Hatton finishes along with whether Calzaghe retires with RJJ may change things.

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posted Jul 2, 2008

Marv, fairplay really good analysis.

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posted Jul 2, 2008

IF... Hatton beats Paulie and then goes on to fight and beat probalby pacman. I think he has the better legacy by far.

It does depend if JC finishes after RJJ because if he does think this is his "swansong" he is very much mistaken. most ppl in boxing knows he is ducking Pavlik for this joke of a fight vs RJJ.

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posted Jul 3, 2008

Glad it was facts Marv and not FACTS which we've had too many of on here lately!

My point about Castillo Bob was that he was decent at LWW, no more, no less. People thought he lost to Ngoudjo, people thought Ngoudjo lost to Bailey. I personally think The Ring has Ngoudjo about right at #5. There's wasn't a lot between Castillo, Ngoudjo, Malignaggi etc. IMHO. The Hatton fight was not meaningless but nor was it a win over the stellar fighter he had been.

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