The very best version of Toney, focused and in shape against a less than top form Calzaghe? Toney could take the decision.
The most usual version of both fighters in their 168 lb days ?Joe takes a close decision, frustrating Tony with speed and work rate. Toney was the more skilled of the two, but Calzaghe's pressure would prove too much for Lights out.
Joe Calzaghe SD Ward, Joe figures sh!t out, and so does Ward. Only Joe doesn't tire out in the late rounds like Ward did against Froch who has a lesser work rate than Joe... and Joe would blast the sh!t out of Ward in the championship rounds.
Sorry but I don't rate James Tony because he was on steroids so he is right out of the picture, as for Andre Ward, a good 168 against the greatest 168. The same as Ali vs Haye. Ali wins every time, the same with Calzaghe.
Calzaghe would out work Toney and break him down, just like Dave Tiberi did. Toney wouldn't like Calzaghe's relentless pressure.
Ward would be a difficult fight for anyone, but again, the volume of punches Calzaghe throws and the non stop pressure would make it a difficult fight for Ward. I don't think it would be a one sided fight but I think Calzaghe would do enough to get a decision
Lets see if any American contributors give Calzaghe and chance in these fights!
BOBO) You clearly haven't watched that fight or you'd know that Calzaghe was put down by Roy's forearm not a punch
James Toney is an interesting commodity because of his inconsistency. In his prime, at 100%, fully comfortable I wouldn't favor a lot of people over James Toney, but his biggest problem was that he wasn't very consistent, Joe Calzaghe on the other hand was. If I had to place a bet I would bet on consistency, at his peak James Toney faced fighters more skilled than Joe Calzaghe ( Roy Jones, Michael Nunn, Mike McCallum) but James wasn't always consistent so Joe Calzaghe could've very well beaten him on a bad night, but on a good night I'd favor Toney.
Andre Ward is, in my opinion, the best fighter in Boxing, even higher than Floyd Mayweather Jr. I think Ward has been equally as dominate with tougher opposition. Joe Calzaghe wouldn't beat Andre Ward. I think he troubles Ward, but "SOG" has all the skills and tools to overcome anything Calzaghe can do. In all honestly I there's nothing in Joe Calzaghe's arsenal that Ward couldn't handle.
Back to your question; with James Toney I think Joe Calzaghe could very well be a live dog because of James' inconsistency. With Andre Ward I think Joe has the speed and tenacity to trouble "SOG" but ultimately I think Ward would overcome anything Joe can do.
Easy victory against a clean (he was usually on steroids) Toney and would win a close but fair UD against Ward in Oakland. In Wales he would destroy with ease both ala Lacy and Roy Jones.
Calzaghe definitely wouldn't "handle" either guy. Maybe you and I have a different interpretation of handle, but to me that means someone takes care of their opponent with ease.
If Calzaghe won, it would be hard fought and competitive, no way one sided fashion or without issues.
Not a chance. Joe was knocked down , and hit hard by a very old Roy Jones, and B Hop.
Ward by a UD
Toney by KO RD 8
