posted Nov 25, 2008

Well said Hackerjack and Hidden Forces. Calzaghe has nothing left to prove. Purely from a boxing perspective a re-match with Kessler would be the hardest fight because he has yet to peak.

However JC beat him relatively comfortably a year ago so should retire. Nothing left to prove or gain - just all the people who fight him will gain financially or enhancing their reputation in the unlikely event any of so called possible opponents beat him or run him close

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 25, 2008

Yeah, Joe deserves his legend-status, and his retirement.

There's only one fight I'd like to see right now.

Tell Ricky Hattoon to enjoy himself for six months, get a couple of beers and some pies down him, then let the two of them get it on in the Millennium Stadium at cruiserweight.

I'd take that on PPV!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 25, 2008

I was of the view that Joe should retire. But now I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, he should humiliate Dawson at the Millenium Stadium and then call it a day. That would clear away arguments about Johnson, Tarver, etc.. Right now, Joe is "the man who beat the man" for all viable MW & SMW contenders. I guess it's because he's moved up to LH that puts some new names on the list. But if he retires, it may well be that someone (my guess is Kessler) goes on to clean up and demonstrate Joe's superiority "after the fact" - a bit like the way B-Hop's schooling of Pavlik has done. And I am liking the close decision against Hopkins more and more. Not giving Bernard a rematch, especially after he put himself back in the frame after Pavlik, is almost as satisfying as getting in the ring again and whupping him. Let B-Hop meditate on that 'til he shuffles off this mortal coil, as far as I'm concerned.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 25, 2008

As long as the money is there on offer Joe will continue to fight. If he was a man of his word he would have retired by now, right? I believe Dawson is the obviuos fight, he is in his 20's and is actually a very good fighter. Joe says he'll never fight Hopkins again but can you blame him after the last scrape and B-Hops demolition of Pavlik? The man refuses to go away!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 25, 2008

Why did Pavlik struggle so much in the Hopkins fight?? I know Hopkins is a light heavy but thought Pavlik might have been in with a shout??

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 25, 2008

Glass jaw? Calzaghe? Better take your meds slowbodhran. I would question Calzaghe's punching style, his balance and his ring generalship but his jaw is caste iron. The 'punch' Jones knocked him down with was actually a forearm smash and should have been deemed illegal and Joe took an uppercut in the later rounds that would have starched many a heavyweight. I would like to see Calzaghe fight Dawson as I think Dawson is the future of the LHW division but when do you stop? There'll always be another challenge around the corner.
Calzaghe will go down as one of Britain's great fighters but his stay at home attitude will always tarnish his legacy to a certain degree. To be a true great you have to travel and fight the best fighters in their primes not 10 years past it. A cautious approach to fight making does not endear you to boxing fans other then those in your home country. However, this is the norm nowadays and most top fighters have the same question marks over their legacies.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 25, 2008

In no way can Hopkins be considered past his prime after what he did to Pavlik.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 26, 2008

Hopkins is in his 40s and is certainly not in his prime. Pavlik went up to 170 to fight Hopkins who has been fighting as a LHW for a few years now. Also, Pavlik never faced a fighter with Hopkins ring smarts before. Pavlik may have a couple of good wins on his record but he is and has always been a 1-2 type fighter who throws a good jab and a mean right cross. Other then that the Ghost doesn't bring an awful lot to the table. Pavlik is not a complete fighter and if it wasn't for his explosive win over Miranda (an exciting but limitied banger) we would all be asking 'Kelly who?'. Beating up smaller fighters from range does not make you anything special. Calzaghe would win easily against Pavlik but this wouldn't say much for the Welshman. (good pay day though!)

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 26, 2008

My view, although it seems we've been here before...

Lacy - useless, only 17 fights and not a single big name

Kessler - great win but no name in the US

Hopkins - Joe beat him easily. First half was close but Joe ran away with it when B Hop started holding and cheating. In his 40's, too old to be considered a big win.

Jones - regardless of age, totally shot after his two big losses.

Future opponents...

Pavlik - pointless since Bernard exposed him, Pavlik just hasn't got it at LH. Although I DO think Joe should have been the one to expose him.

Tarver - pointless since Hopkins exposed him, but again, I think Joe should have done this.

Taylor - pointless since Pavlik beat him at a lighter weight.

Dawson is the only decent fight for Joe. He would silence all the critics.

Only thing missing so far is that he's not a massive name, but if Joe stays retired for six months, allowing Chad to make his name, he could come back and beat him late next year.

This is what I think WILL happen in fact...

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Nov 27, 2008

Do you really rate the RJJ and Hopkins wins?

RJJ was finished about 3 years ago.

Hopkins is 43 and lost his last few fights, and was close to retirement. Even then Calzaghe only managed a Dodgy SD Win.

I would have had more resepct for Calzaghe had he fought Hopkins and RJJ Prime V Prime and lost, than to beat them when their passed it.
Look at Hatton, he got KTFO by Mayweather, but atleast he went Prime v Prime.

add comment | complain about this comment