CANELO ALVAREZ is poised to be an all-time boxing icon, but the Welsh dragon believes he would still have defeated him.
Joe Calzaghe won 46 wins to end his career undefeated. He would have been undisputed champion super-middleweight if not for grubby boxing politics.
This is the legendary four-belt status that the 31-year old is aiming for on Saturday as he seeks to add Caleb Plant’s IBF 12st title, WBC, WBA, and WBO belts.
The record for the magnificent Mexican is now 56-1-2. He has also won world titles at super-welter and middleweight, and he was also crowned light-heavyweight champion. Calzaghe's legendary reign ended with victories over Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins.
Canelo will win another Las Vegas victory this weekend, putting him in the 49-year-old Calzaghe’s pound-for–pound top-10. But the brilliant Brit supports himself to have trumped Calzaghe.
He stated that if he keeps winning titles and continues to go the same way, he will be among the top 10 all-time, based on his achievements.
His longevity, his longevity is also important. It's one thing to win the title, but we've also seen fighters lose the title, so it is remarkable that he is still the champion.
"He's only 31 years old, he's a true champion, and I have a lot respect for him.
"But I would beat him in my prime!" Although he has never fought Joe Calzaghe, and I have never fought Canelo in my prime, it is a fight that I think I would love to have had.
"Ofcourse, I wish that I was here when Canelo is there. It would have been a hard fight but I believe I would have won.
"He's 5ft 8ins tall, it would have made a great fight but I would have won!"
Southpaw Calzaghe believes that his unconventional stance, which helped fellow lefties Erisland Trout and Austin Trout give Canelo problems during their distance losses, would have helped him win a fantasy-fight victory.
Plant, 29 years old, will adopt a style and stance that is familiar to the Guadalajara gunslinger. Calzaghe isn't sure how Plant can shock the world.
The happy retired hero stated, "I was a southpaw who threw punts in bunches and combinations and had speed but could also adapt."
"You must have a plan B when you're facing Canelo, because if you don’t you won’t be competitive."
"You must be able switch from the front foot to the backfoot, from aggressive to defensive to confuse him and distract him from his gameplan.
Plantt is skilled, he can move well, and he has quick hands. But, when you face Canelo, you are in a totally different league.
Plant must land combinations and have better jabs, but Canelo can close down the range and cut off the ring so Plant requires a plan B.
"I don’t know how hard Plant hits. I do know that he has only 12 KOs (from 21 victories). This fight will answer many questions, because Canelo’s red hot.
Canelo is just as hot at the box office and pay per view stakes than he is in rankings. Anyone who signs up for Canelo's face will earn life-changing cash, win or lose.
Calzaghe believes that the extra power could give the flame-haired fighter an emotional boost before the bell rings.
He laughed and said, "I believe having that holdover an opponent could have an impact but I wouldn’t know because I never had that luxury. I had to earn my big paydays!"
"But, going from making hundreds of thousands to multi-millions of pounds in one hit is bound be a traumatic experience. It is life-changing.
You could feel instantly set for life, and your hunger could be sparked.
It must feel like winning the lottery, but you don't have to pay for a ticket. You just need to get your a** kicked.
Canelo v Plant will be shown exclusively by BT Sport Box Office live in the UK starting Saturday 6th November. For more info go to www.bt.com/sportboxoffice
