Carl Froch has rated the ability, rather than achievements, of Joe Calzaghe, who many would consider to be the greatest British fighter of all time.
The Welshman made a super-middleweight record of 21 consecutive world title defences, ending his dominant 10-year reign with a unanimous decision victory over Mikkel Kessler.
Another notable triumph at 168lbs came when he defeated the previously unbeaten Jeff Lacy, who many felt had the power to stop Calzaghe in 2006.
Instead, it was a masterful performance that saw the Welsh star unify his division, while his victory over Kessler – another previously unbeaten champion – arrived the following year.
The southpaw technician then moved up to 175lbs and dethroned Bernard Hopkins – who, even at 43 years old, was still a serviceable operator – with a split decision victory for the Ring Magazine title.
It was around this time, too, that Froch became the WBC’s mandatory challenger 168lbs, only for Calzaghe to vacate his title and leave the Nottingham man to fight Jean Pascal.
Sure enough, ‘The Cobra’ claimed his WBC belt in 2008, just a month after Calzaghe completed his 46-0 record by unanimously outpointing a faded Roy Jones Jr.
But while disappointed that he never fought the Welsh icon, Froch nonetheless said that he rates Calzaghe’s ability a 10/10, especially given his attributes of speed, toughness and stamina.
"He's a 10/10 — he was TOO good!" @Carl_Froch rates British boxing LEGENDS!#boxing🥊 pic.twitter.com/9EfK8c0ZBv
— Froch On Fighting Clips (@frochonfighting) August 14, 2026
For context, he gave both himself and former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis a 9.5, before backtracking and saying that he should probably give Calzaghe the same.
Most, however, would argue that the Welshman possessed a superior skillset to Froch, who only suffered defeats to Kessler and the great Andre Ward.
