Top Five All-Time Great Super Middleweights

Prime 5 All-Time Nice Tremendous Middleweights

By Robert Brizel, Head Actual Fight Media Boxing Correspondent

The 168 pound tremendous middleweight division, greater than only a phantom or passing via division, has been the testing floor for each pure tremendous middleweights, and middleweights transferring up in weight class. Right here is that this reporter’s record of the all-time-favorites on this division. Whereas not universally well-known, the tremendous middleweight division is without doubt one of the best skilled boxing divisions right this moment.

Joe Calzaghe, 46-0, 32 knockouts, southpaw, Newbridge, Wales, United Kingdom

Years Energetic: 1993-2008             All-Time Rating: Quantity One

Calzaghe received 22 consecutive World Boxing Organisation, World Boxing Affiliation, World Boxing Council, and Worldwide Boxing Federation world title bouts at 168 kilos. He completed his profession with 12 spherical resolution wins over former world champions Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. at 175 kilos gentle heavyweight. Basically Calzaghe fought everybody of notice, and retired when there was no one left to struggle. His October 1997 victory over Chris Eubank to win the title put the World Boxing Organisation on the map as a reputable champion who would and did struggle anyone who wished to problem him.

Calzaghe just lately made information headlines when he and his sister Melissa Calzaghe have been sued by his different sister Sonia Prosser over administration of his late father coach Enzo Calzaghe’s property. On Could 12, 2021, Choose Milwyn Jarman, who hears civil courtroom instances in Cardiff, Wales, was attributable to oversee a web-based listening to however attorneys representing all sides instructed him at first of the listening to an settlement had been reached. Phrases have been undisclosed.

 Sven Ottke, 34-0, six knockouts, Karlsruhe, Badem-Wurttemberg, Germany

Years Energetic: 1997-2004                     All-Time Rating: Quantity Two

Ottke fought solely in Germany, and stays the one fighter of notice Joe Calzaghe didn’t struggle in his time. Like Calzaghe, a winner of all 22 of his World Boxing Affiliation Tremendous and Worldwide Boxing Federation world tremendous middleweight title bouts. Later wound up bankrupt. A deliberate 2008 comeback by no means materialized. Ottke’s bouts are greatest identified for a number of the worst refereeing and judging ever seen.

Regardless of being a extremely technical fighter with out a knockout punch, no challenger of alternative (and there have been many who took the airplane journey to Germany, together with Iran Barkley) was capable of cease or knock Ottke out in Germany, the place scorecards amounted to preferential therapy. Robin Reid (who misplaced on two scorecards 115-113), and Charles Brewer (who misplaced two controversial cut up choices together with his title) to Ottke, are amongst famous fighters who cried foul feeling they received and bought robbed in Germany.

Andre Ward, 32-0 with 17 knockouts, Oakland, California

Years Energetic: 2004-2017 All-Time Rating: Quantity Three

Ward attain the highest of his recreation, beat the easiest of one of the best, beat Sergey Kovalev twice to win the world gentle heavyweight title, after which defend it towards him. Ward retired early. Not past attain of a comeback as a brilliant fighter if he wished to, Ward versus Canelo could possibly be the final word tremendous struggle of the last decade. From George Foreman to Henry Maske, late bloomer comebacks by the nice ones are at all times a consideration. In truth, Ward struggle be the one worthy opponent for Canelo, if Canelo retains mopping up his newest paycheck opponents.

Carl Froch (The Cobra), 33-2 with 24 knockouts, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Years Energetic: 2002-2014 All-Time Rating: Quantity 4

Froch didn’t beat Ward, however beat everybody else, together with Mikkel Kessler in his second try. An all-around versatile fighter, Froch will at all times rank excessive within the tremendous middleweight division he known as dwelling.

 Saul (Canelo) Alvarez, 56-1-2 with 38 knockouts, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Years Energetic: 2005-2021 All-Time Rating: Quantity 5

Canelo stays the toughest working fighter within the divisions beneath heavyweight, {and professional} boxing’s greatest draw. If he mops up the 168 pound and 175 pound remaining champions, he may go cruiserweight or bridgerweight. Who is aware of? Canelo has helped to maintain boxing alive throughout the coronavirus pandemic. There are nonetheless some harmful opponents on the market for Canelo, however apart from a 3rd rubber match with GGG, Canelo stays able to beating one of the best of one of the best at 168 kilos in any time interval. Canelo merely has extra uncooked pure expertise than the regulars combating within the 168 pound division.

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Robert Brizel – Head Boxing Correspondent

Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Actual Fight Media Boxing since 2013. Robert can also be a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State area which incorporates NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts unique interviews, gives historic boxing articles and gives editorial ringside protection of main boxing occasions. You’ll be able to contact or comply with Robert on Fb and by e mail at [email protected].