I know what you mean. Ultimately, Dean goes down as a GREAT PROSPECT because of what happened in terms of his career setbacks.
I think lesser talents than him have gone on to hold world title belts. Dean had the talent, learned a tough lesson in defeat vs Ballogou (as Haye did with Thompson) and became an excellent fighter.
The Baker fight was excellent. Baker had just been robbed vs Clinton Woods.
Also it's not like Francis has just one favourable performance to compare to Calzaghe (Starie). He also outdid Steve Collins a couple of times against common foes (and these were guys Collins was defending his WBO title against).
Ultimately, Joe v Francis is totally unrealistic, especially to talk about now. But it could've been THE all-British fight of the millennium. Should've been. Joe was defending his world title vs lesser men than Francis so I don't think it's out of order to talk about this. I don't put too much stock in the amateur fight, because Calzaghe was older and more mature at the time.
TARVER: FIGHT ME OR BE AN ORDINARY JOE
Yep, all fair points. What could have been eh?Autobarn wrote:I know what you mean. Ultimately, Dean goes down as a GREAT PROSPECT because of what happened in terms of his career setbacks.
I think lesser talents than him have gone on to hold world title belts. Dean had the talent, learned a tough lesson in defeat vs Ballogou (as Haye did with Thompson) and became an excellent fighter.
The Baker fight was excellent. Baker had just been robbed vs Clinton Woods.
Also it's not like Francis has just one favourable performance to compare to Calzaghe (Starie). He also outdid Steve Collins a couple of times against common foes (and these were guys Collins was defending his WBO title against).
Ultimately, Joe v Francis is totally unrealistic, especially to talk about now. But it could've been THE all-British fight of the millennium. Should've been. Joe was defending his world title vs lesser men than Francis so I don't think it's out of order to talk about this. I don't put too much stock in the amateur fight, because Calzaghe was older and more mature at the time.