Harry Greb was the Tasmanian Devil of boxing in his era, a swarmer of full of boundless energy, very tough and durable and very hard to beat. His official record reads 106 wins ( 48 by KO), 8 losses and 3 draws. He lost just two fights by TKO very early in his career, the first coming against Joe Chip in just his third pro fight fight where he weighed just 142 lbs. against Chip's 156 lbs. and against Kid Graves in only his 7th outing where he had to quit after breaking his left arm. Greb held wins over light heavyweights ( Gene Tunney and Tommy Loughran ) and even heavyweights ( Tommy Gibbons and Gunboat Smith whom he kayoed inside one round) despite being a natural middleweight. His defeats came mostly against Tunney in his prime ( two of three fights ) and Tiger Flowers ( two in two fights ) at the twilight of his career.
I don't believe Joe Calzhage despite his impressive record and career had seen the type of fighter that Greb was who even held a UD win over another fellow ATG Mickey Walker who himself was a little terror at the higher weights classes.
Given these and the fact that Calzhage just really came to prominence with wins over the faded Roy Jones and ageing Bernard Hopkins convince me that Greb would be too much a dynamite package and a dynamo even for a volume puncher like Joe.
Greb by UD 15 rounds as Calzhage visibly fades down in the later rounds allowing Greb to not only catch up but win pulling away.
Both were fast, both were great swarmers, both had lower than average power.
Harry Greb advantage;
Harry Greb had a great chin, while Calzaghe had an ok chin.
Greb not only had more experience, but he also fought the best from the USA while Calzaghe was sheltered from the best in the USA for many years until recently [in an era where middleweight lacked a great American].
Why was the middleweight division weak when Calzaghe crossed the Atlantic?
Because senior citizen American boxers were still the best and Calzaghe still struggled [knockdowns, split ud against old Hopkins].
The reason it's important to fight in the USA is because there has been more money for boxers in the USA since Sullivan, so the best competition from the globe come here.
Calzaghe advantage; 2 inch height and reach advantage [not much].
Conclusion; Harry Greb had far more experience, defeated far more hall of famers, his biggest fights and hardest competition were greats in their prime [not old], he also fought and defeated far larger men.
Harry Greb ud win
You can run but you can't hide. Joe will move and try to survive all night long. He is a very good defensive fighter and hard to hit. But Harry who has a granite chin will just throw caution to the wind and relentlessly attack Joe. Joe Calzaghe was never really tested other than the Kessler fight. Two old guys Hopkins and Jones dropped him so his chin is questionable. Both Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. throw very few punches per round compare to Harry Greb. The Pittsburgh Windmill will run Joe ragged. Joe try to keep him off but he doesn't have the power to do so. He try to run but by the 12th round his legs begin the feel heavy and he is arms wearied constantly try to fight Harry off his chest. The referee step in to stop the manslaught of an exhausted and frightened Calzaghe. After all say, I don't think this fight will ever happen even if they are born in the same era because Joe is way too smart to take this fight.
I think Harry Greb could've stayed out drinking a fifth of Jack Daniels the night before an afternoon fight and swarmed Joe into submission in the early rounds. IMO.
that gannoway can tell a story.
Harry Greb was superior to Joe Calzaghe in every comparable category, this one is a total mismatch in favor of Greb.
Greb by murder.
15 rounds. Would the furious assault from Greb be to much for Joe? I know Calsaghe was great and undefeated but would the Windmill be too much?
