Benn's career spanned from 1987 to 1996, during which he held the WBO middleweight and WBC super-middleweight titles. With 42 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, Benn knocked out 83.3% of his opponents. He beat top fighters like Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, and Gerald McClellan, but lost to Michael Watson and Chris Eubank.
Known for his ferocity and confidence in the ring, Benn didn't hold back when discussing Calzaghe's abilities. He said:
"Joe struggled against nobodies. But when he stepped up in class to fight the likes of Jeff Lacy, for instance, he made them look like nobodies. I'd have loved him to have been around in my heyday. I'll be honest enough to admit I think he would have beaten me – he'd have been in a fight though,"
Calzaghe retired undefeated in 2008 as a two-weight world champion. The southpaw's notable wins include victories over Chris Eubank Sr and Jeff Lacy. Many consider Calzaghe one of the best, if not the best, fighter to come out of the UK.
Benn's admission speaks volumes about Calzaghe's skills. The Dark Destroyer believes Calzaghe could have beaten not only the best from Benn's era but also many great fighters from past generations.
The Benn-Eubank rivalry continues through their sons, with Conor Benn set to face Chris Eubank Jr on April 26 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This upcoming fight adds another chapter to the storied rivalry between these two boxing families.