Joe Calzaghe Reflects on Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford’s Legacy

Joe Calzaghe, a two-weight champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, has expressed concerns about Saul “Canelo” Alvarez continuing his boxing career for too long.

Calzaghe, who retired undefeated with a record of 46 wins, has been watching closely as Canelo faced challenges in the ring.

The Welsh boxing legend observed Canelo’s recent loss to Terence Crawford, which has raised questions about the Mexican star’s future in the sport.

Canelo, now 35 years old, has a professional record of 63 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 of those victories coming by knockout.

Concerns About Longevity in the Sport

Calzaghe has shared his thoughts on the inevitable effects of aging in boxing.

He stated, “Father Time catches up with everybody, and I just hope he does not continue fighting too long and end up losing to mediocre fighters.”

This comment reflects Calzaghe’s belief that fighters should consider their legacies and the risks involved in prolonging their careers.

Evaluating Canelo’s Greatness

While praising Canelo’s achievements, Calzaghe expressed reservations about labeling him an all-time great.

He noted that Canelo has lost significant fights against top-tier opponents, including Floyd Mayweather, Dmitry Bivol, and Terence Crawford.

Calzaghe commented, “When you look at it, I would not categorize him as an all-time great, to be honest, because he has lost his biggest fights.”

Despite this, Calzaghe acknowledged Canelo’s impressive record and the number of victories he has achieved throughout his career.

However, he pointed out that against the best fighters, Canelo has not always emerged victorious.

Calzaghe mentioned, “Going from Mayweather, I thought he lost to Gennady Golovkin. He definitely lost one of the Golovkin fights.”

Crawford’s Achievements

Terence Crawford currently holds all the titles at 168 pounds after his victory over Canelo.

Calzaghe, who unified titles at super middleweight but never had the opportunity to compete for the IBF belt, has his own perspective on Crawford’s accomplishments.

He believes that while Crawford’s victory over Canelo is significant, it does not necessarily solidify his status as one of the greatest super middleweights.

Calzaghe explained, “I think what he did was great, but I think a lot of it is down to Canelo.”

This statement suggests that Calzaghe attributes some of Crawford’s success to Canelo’s performance in their fight.

Comparing Crawford to Boxing Legends

Calzaghe addressed comparisons between Crawford and boxing legends, specifically mentioning Roy Jones Jr.

He argued that it is not fair to compare Crawford to a peak Roy Jones, stating, “You cannot really put a peak Roy Jones in with… people making a point of whether Crawford would have beaten a peak Roy Jones. Come on, man.”

Calzaghe acknowledged Crawford’s talent, saying, “He is a great fighter. He has done well moving up in weight.”

However, he remained uncertain about placing Crawford among the best super middleweights in history.

Impressions of the Canelo Fight

Calzaghe expressed admiration for Crawford’s performance against Canelo.

He noted, “I was impressed with Crawford. I thought he did great. He is a great boxer.”

Calzaghe recognized that Crawford fought strategically and effectively, but he also pointed out that Canelo did not seem to perform at his best that night.

He remarked, “Canelo did not really throw any punches; he was quite flat-footed.”

This observation implies that Canelo’s lackluster performance may have contributed to Crawford’s success.

The Future of Canelo Alvarez

As Canelo continues to navigate the later stages of his career, Calzaghe hopes he will make wise decisions regarding his future in boxing.

He emphasized the importance of recognizing when to step back from the sport to protect one’s legacy.

Calzaghe’s own retirement was on his terms, and he hopes Canelo can find a similar path.

Upcoming Events and Calzaghe’s Involvement

Joe Calzaghe is set to make an exclusive appearance at Paddy’s Sportsbook at The Hippodrome Casino for the highly anticipated fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn II on November 15.

This event highlights Calzaghe’s ongoing involvement in the boxing community, even after his retirement.

Conclusion

In summary, Joe Calzaghe’s reflections on Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford offer valuable insights into the careers of two prominent figures in boxing.

While he acknowledges Canelo’s accomplishments, Calzaghe raises important questions about the Mexican fighter’s legacy and the potential risks of continuing to fight.

At the same time, he recognizes Crawford’s talent but remains cautious about placing him among the all-time greats based on a single victory.

As the boxing world watches Canelo’s next moves, Calzaghe’s perspective serves as a reminder of the challenges athletes face as they age in a demanding sport.