Joe Calzaghe has one of the best CVs of any British boxer from any generation, but there is one win that often gets called into question.
Calzaghe retired unbeaten after 46 fights, having been a super middleweight champion for more than a decade. He made a record 20 defences of his belt and defeated the likes of Chris Eubank Jr and Mikkel Kessler. In his final two contests, he moved up to light heavyweight to beat all-time greats Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr before retiring in 2008.
However, one fight with former world champion Robin Reid at 168lbs was such a close one that many believed Calzaghe should have suffered his first career defeat that night, including long-time rival Carl Froch.
“Robin Reid could really bang, and in my opinion he deserved the win over Joe Calzaghe in their fight.”
Calzaghe got the nod via split decision but in an interview iFL TV, Reid has called out his former foe for a rematch.
“I’ve always called for the rematch since our fight in 1999, I think it was. It was a close fight. I got the chance to grace the ring with a super middleweight legend. I took it to a split decision; a lot of people thought I won the fight. It was a close fight, but these chances come around again. Listen, Joe, why don’t we do it again, mate? Why don’t we sit down, have a little talk? It’s not about revenge or anything like that. Like I say, the money’s round now, I think it would create a lot of interest. Let’s sit down at least, let’s make it happen now.”
Froch himself has often spoken about how he would have got on against Calzaghe, and Reid backs him to have won, but these are contests that seem better to remain as fantasy fights as the years go on.
