Although Carl Froch versus Joe Calzaghe never happened, it is a fight that still gets people talking. Two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders is in little doubt how it would play out.
Froch and Calzaghe are two of the most decorated British fighters of their generation. Calzaghe emerged first and established himself as the king of the super-middleweight division, with several big world title wins and defences, and then moved up to light heavyweight, where he beat Jeff Lacey and Roy Jones Jr amongst others. He retired undefeated with a record of 46 wins.
‘The Cobra’ also won multiple world titles in the super-middleweight ranks and recorded famous victories over the likes of George Groves and Mikkel Kessler. He maintains that Calzaghe moved up to avoid fighting him when he was on the rise, but Calzaghe’s promoter Frank Warren says it was ‘The Cobra’ who avoided the match-up.
Speaking about the fight years ago with the Daily Mail, Saunders sided clearly with the Welshman.
“It would have been a good fight, but there would have been only one winner: Joe Calzaghe. He fought the best and he beat the best. He was a slick southpaw with speed and strength, and a good boxing brain. Froch is strong, but Calzaghe beat strong fighters, such as Jeff Lacy, with ease.
“I’ve got no other option than to say that Calzaghe would absolutely smash him. Calzaghe had the power and skill to knock him out late. Calzaghe was a fast starter, unlike Froch, and I think Calzaghe would have too much for him.”
