Tony Bellew has predicted the winner of a prime-for-prime battle between Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe.

The two super-middleweight legends retired with unblemished records, having cemented their greatness at 168lbs before moving up to light-heavyweight.

First to call time on his illustrious career was Calzaghe, who remains the longest-reigning world super-middleweight champion in history after amassing 20 successful defences over 10 years.

It was back in 1997 that the Welshman dethroned Chris Eubank, before claiming significant victories over the likes of Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler.

Known for his tremendous work rate, Calzaghe also possessed the necessary speed and slippery southpaw skills to bamboozle the vast majority of his opponents.

As arguably the superior technician and tactician, however, many will argue that Ward would solve the Calzaghe puzzle in a fantasy showdown.

Among those who favour the American is former world champion Bellew, who told Fight Your Corner that he believes only one man would have defeated Ward at super-middleweight.

“I don’t see anybody outworking Joe Calzaghe. But the thing that I’ll give Dre [Ward] credit [for] is … I think he’s the hardest person to ever beat in that division [168lbs].

“His inside work is phenomenal – he can lock you up; he can box at range; he hits hard enough to get your respect. There’s nothing he can’t do.

“I think there’s only one person that beats Andre Ward at super-middleweight, and it’s Roy Jones Jr.”

Perhaps most significant was Roy Jones’ super-middleweight triumph over James Toney, who entered their 1994 encounter as an unbeaten defensive wizard but ultimately suffered a unanimous decision defeat.