Better legacy today...Pacquiao or calzaghe?

Question

Retired undefeated all in one division...6 division champ? which is the greater achievement

Answer 1

Calzaghe never faced a big challenge in his prime. He's the equivalent of Virgil Hill in terms of ability. Like Virgil, Joe took the easiest possible fights, and had them in his home town. But at least Virgil once got out of his comfort zone to take on Thomas Hearns. Calzaghe never once took a risky fight. He could have, but didn't.



Manny Pacqioua never passed on a risky fight. That alone is enough to say that MP's legacy is much greater than JCs.

Answer 2

Pacquiao, I think, will have a better legacy. Sure, Calzaghe retired undefeated but there's less color in his fights because of lack of competition. Besides, Hopkins and an absolutely faded Roy Jones, his resume has no other worthy opponents to show. On the other hand, Pac rose from flyweight to welterweight, won title belts and universal recognition on his way up and fought only the best in the business, never ducking anyone. And each Pacquiao fight is a sure slam-bang affair. The guy just brings so much excitement in the ring because of his immense talent, strength and speed. This can't be said about Joe though he's a pretty talented fighter too.

Answer 3

This one shouldn't be close - if Manny stopped today he would go down with a far more sterling legacy. The 6 division champ achievement is impressive, but the distinguishing aspect of his career from Calzaghe is that he is seeking out the best fights and fighters basically anywhere from 120 to 140 pounds.



Take a look at the two in action, there isn't any doubt that one is about 10x more dynamic than the other - Manny's KO of Hatton was more impressive than anything Calzaghe did throughout his career.



100% guaranty that anyone on here picking Calzaghe in this will point to nothing but the undefeated record/title defenses...that is such a lame point, especially putting it up against PacMan whos list of opponents is miles beyond Calzaghe's - beating 2 old, battle worn, former champs as your most important wins absolutely pales in comparison to Manny coming moving up from 106 and basically taking on whoever had the biggest X on their back. Manny isn't done either, he obviously is still out to establish his legacy against guys like Cotto and possibly Floyd Mayweather.



I am of the opinion that Manny might be a little overrated right now, but that doesn't mean his legacy is already firmly cememted above Joe Calzaghe.

Answer 4

Actually this is kind of a toss up. Calzaghe retired undefeated after being the champ for about 10 years. He did beat Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr to his credit. Pacquiao is arguably the p4p king at least for now and multiple titles and victories over De La Hoya and Hatton were impressive.

Answer 5

Pacquiao has a greater legacy than Calzaghe.



Calzaghe did remain undefeated in his Career, but throughout in his career except the last 2 years, he has been fighting unknown fighters in his own home turf. He had all the advantage, the crowd, the judges, the arena and the referee. Emotionally and physically he is at a advantage against his opponent. Most of them are cherry picked to retain his title. Let me name a few, Calzaghe won the title against Chris Eubank, who is a boxer that also didn't fight outside of UK. It's like they are just manipulating the WBO title to remain in UK. Eubank won that WBO title in 1991 and he didn't beat any elite fighter, and Calzaghe stole it from him in 1997. Calzaghe, 9 years later finally got a tough opponent against Jeff Lacy, but he is just another overhyped fighter from the United States. He lost to Jermain Taylor who loss against Carl Froch and Pavlik. The Calzaghe fought Mikkel Kessler, he is the best fighter Calzaghe fought in his prime. But the 168-lb. is relatively weak compared to division beside it. The lastly, he fought two fighters who are 40-years old. Hopkins still managed to eek ought a close split decision loss, and Calzaghe never wanted to have a rematch. He then fought Roy Jones Jr. who is not capable to pull the trigger anymore. Calzaghe's legacy should not be based on those two wins at the end of his career. It should be in the 10 years he holds the Super Middleweight title facing Class-C and unknown fighters.



If I rank both Pacquiao and Calzaghe in the Top 100 All Time Great List, it will be.



TOP 25 - Manny Pacquiao

...

TOP 63 - Joe Calzaghe



--> Pacquiao fought Hall of Famers consistenly, and tought journeyman fighters. Hatton, De La Hoya, Marquez (2x), Morales (3x), Barrera (2x), Larios, Diaz, Ledwaba, Sasakul

Answer 6

Calzaghe retired to early he hasn't fought any real top fighters yet.Manny Pacquiao has the best legacy of all time he will be known as the first man to win 7 titles in 7 different weight classes when he beats Cotto in November 14 he will make history unbelievable!!!

Answer 7

Manny Pacquiao, no doubt.



As great as what Calzaghe have accomplished in his career, like successfully defending his Super Middleweight championship for 10 years, Pacquiao has fought all the biggest names in his era. Pacquiao didn't stay in one weight class because his body evolves in time, unlike Calzaghe who was comfortable in the 168-lb division. It benefited Calzaghe, and help him outgrow the division against less stellar opponents.



Both Pacquiao and Calzaghe have a share of beating HOF boxers like Barrera, Morales, Marquez, De La Hoya, Hatton (for Manny) and Jones, Hopkins (for Joe). But Pacquiao fought 3 out of 5 in the list in their Primes.



Calzaghe is great, but not greater than Manny.

Answer 8

come one Sean! Calzaghe is overrated. He retired undefeated but he did not ffight HOF except Roy Jones. Jr. And Hopkins. Roy Jones Jr. is way pass his prime, and Hopkins could have easily won that split decision. Calzaghe and pacquiao on the same sentence just doesnt do it for me. Pacquiao by far has a better legacy and Im sure 90% of legit boxing analysts may say so. I might be wrong, it may be higher than that!

Answer 9

Pacquaio... because of the ability to move up weight and continue to dominate and the choice of opponents.



If Calzaghe would have defeated a Hopkins or Jones Jr.. when they were in their primes, there would be no doubt that Calzaghe's legacy would be more valuable.

Answer 10

Annoyingly it is probably Pacquiao but I think it should be Calzaghe. To be a 6 division champ is impressive but all that means is you have won 6 fights. Manny has only fought for 6 minutes at light welterweight and yet he is a world champion at that weight. Calzaghe beat everyone there was to beat and it wasn't just in one division he went up to light heavyweight at the very end of his career to fight Hopkins and Jones. People do not realise just how good Calzaghe was because he didn't really go to America until late on in his career and one of his main wins against Lacy is tarnished by the fact that Lacy has done nothing since but he was very impressive back when Joe fought him. Unfortunately people will not respect Joe's talent enough.

Answer 11

Manny Pacquiao

Answer 12

in short, specific. ANY faction of the previous has been miles earlier than Legacy. Legacy has been between the biggest disappointments in an prolonged time to come again around. whilst the assumption became being thrown around of a clean good being customary in WWE a on an identical time as in the past, i became excited, yet my exhilaration has died off. they have been booked horribly from the beginning up. Even the way they got here at the same time had alot of holes in it. additionally they dont act like a real faction. maximum factions come to the help of their companions and dominate, on an identical time as Legacy has been customary to run remote from their combatants. It appears like one superstar (Orton), and a couple of midcarders (DiBiase and Rhodes) obtainable. So specific, in spite of the reality that it became merely customary final week, i'm going to pass so a techniques as to assert Regal's faction is greater effective than Legacy.

Answer 13

Pacman......I think joe is a great fighter but he never really fought the best of the best in their prime....his best win is outscoring a 40 year old hopkins after getting dropped in the first round. He just doesn't have the quaility of opp. that manny does and once manny beats cotto and maybe pbf he will be the top 5 all time.

Answer 14

I'm not really a Paquiao or a Calzaghe fan, but are you kidding? Six division champ, man. It's not even a question. Taking out the best of the best of the best of six different divisions is about 40 times harder than laying very debatable claim to the best of a semi-talentless division.

Answer 15

Pacquiao no doubt. Pacquiao fought the best while Calzaghe fought the washed up fighters. The best fighter Calzaghe fought I think was Hopkins and Kessler.



6-division champ is a great accomplishment indeed.

Answer 16

Great question Sean,of course Calzaghe has fought harder opponents and when out like a champ,however Manny hasn't finished all of his accomplishments to compare the two.But if i had to judge now,i would go with Calzaghe.

Answer 17

Manny Pacquiao has a better legacy.

Answer 18

Here in America of course is Manny Paquiao. He by far is the most recognized boxer among boxing fans.

Answer 19

at the end of the both are rich and famous, respected by their counrtymen and others, great at what they do, and you are kind of a hater

Answer 20

Manny Pacquaio is better no question!

Answer 21

dude get real manny is not special calzaghe is was better then him.his achievements are way better.also manny is fighting in a time where not great fighters are anymore.he beat an old oscar de la hoya making people forget that if he was 5years younger a 31yr oscar would of gone threw him like nothing.and ricky hatton ? he was never very great.

Answer 22

pacquiao

Answer 23

Manny Pacqiao all the way...

Answer 24

I THINK THAT THE UNDEFEATED RECORD AND DEFENDING HIS TITLE FOR 10 YEARS SPEAKS FOR ITS SELF. SUPER JOE HAS THE PERFECT LEGACY. STAY RETIRED JOE!!!!!

Answer 25

Calzaghe =Wins 46 KO's 32 Lose 0. champion for 10 yrs. what you gonna look for.

Answer 26

Pacquiao and you know it.

Answer 27

calzaghe he beat kessler and american hype train jeff lacy. pacquio has fought all his main names when they were past it and still had on the night stipulations. who has he beaten at welter???



mosely??

ffloyd??

cotto???

margarito???



no. and would he fight them at thier weights .. no?



pacquioo is soo overated its amazing people dont see it. i will give him respect if he fights one credible opponent, it says a lot when your biggest win is against ricky hatton