Nigel Benn once weighed in on a fantasy fight between Joe Calzaghe and Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez.
Calzaghe famously retired unbeaten. The Welshman had 46 fights across two weight divisions, firstly becoming the unified super-middleweight champion, where he ruled for more than 10 years and made a record 20 defences of the belt. He beat the likes of Robin Reid, Mikel Kessler and Chris Eubank along the way, before moving up to light heavyweight for his final two fights.
They came against legendary Americans Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr, both of whom he beat to secure his legacy and head off into retirement with an unblemished professional record.
Mexican ‘Canelo’ is a modern great. He is the current undisputed super middleweight champion who has also held belts at super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight. During that time he has beaten the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Kell Brook, John Ryder, Callum Smith and most recently William Scull back in May. The 34-year-old has lost just twice in 67 fights to Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol.
Speaking to Fruity Slots, however, ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Benn didn’t hesitate to claim Calzaghe, who was known for his high punch output and relentless work rate, would have come out on top.
“Joe Calzaghe would have definitely beaten Canelo. He was the best super middleweight fighter of all time.”
‘Canelo’ has what could be a career-defining fight in September when he takes two-weight undisputed champion Terrence Crawford in a showdown for the ages in Las Vegas. Where Crawford, the American who is three years Canelo’s senior, to win, he would be the first man in history to be undisputed across three separate divisions.
