Joe Calzaghe - "I will probably retire"

[Poncey]

I like to be more naive and take boxers at face value, otherwise where does it end?

We end up constantly doubting what anyone says. But I do agree that if he REALLY REALLY wanted it, he could've done more about it.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I like to be more naive and take boxers at face value, otherwise where does it end?

We end up constantly doubting what anyone says. But I do agree that if he REALLY REALLY wanted it, he could've done more about it.

That is my point - Calzaghe has had more fights not come to fruition during his prime than almost any long reigning world champion I can think of. The list is so long that is almost as long as the list of challengers he DID face.

He also constantly contradicted himself, he said he couldn't go to America for fear of flying, then turns up at ringside to watch a fight, he says he 'doesn't do rematches' then gives on to Viet. He says that he wouldn't fight Roy Jones Junior, because he is shot, and then goes and fights him in one of the most cynical and greedy matches of recent years.

Sorry, but Joe clearly isn't the most motivated when it comes to taking on the most dangerous challenges.

Can you imagine Calzaghe doing what Lennox did, when Johnson pulled out, and he faced Vitali instead! Not on your bloody life, he would probably have had Veit III instead, or Manfredo II.

Calzaghe's career will never attain the heights it could, or maybe should have, I'd rather he had two losses on his record and taken on everyone there was to beat, than be 46-0 and lots of questions left unanswered as it is now.

[forcefraser]

I like to be more naive and take boxers at face value, otherwise where does it end?

We end up constantly doubting what anyone says. But I do agree that if he REALLY REALLY wanted it, he could've done more about it.

That is my point - Calzaghe has had more fights not come to fruition during his prime than almost any long reigning world champion I can think of. The list is so long that is almost as long as the list of challengers he DID face.

He also constantly contradicted himself, he said he couldn't go to America for fear of flying, then turns up at ringside to watch a fight, he says he 'doesn't do rematches' then gives on to Viet. He says that he wouldn't fight Roy Jones Junior, because he is shot, and then goes and fights him in one of the most cynical and greedy matches of recent years.

Sorry, but Joe clearly isn't the most motivated when it comes to taking on the most dangerous challenges.

Can you imagine Calzaghe doing what Lennox did, when Johnson pulled out, and he faced Vitali instead! Not on your bloody life, he would probably have had Veit III instead, or Manfredo II.

Calzaghe's career will never attain the heights it could, or maybe should have, I'd rather he had two losses on his record and taken on everyone there was to beat, than be 46-0 and lots of questions left unanswered as it is now.

Agreed. The only decent names on that record are actually Kessler, Hopkins and Eubank. Lacy has proven himself to be nothing much, Jones was shot to bits.

Reid gave him a solid run (I thought Reid edged it). The rest of the names are just fillers.

[Autobarn]

If he's retiring, hooray - apart from Lacy and Kessler wins, he's been mostly boring, amateurish or irrelevent. Major British name, did well for himself, cashed in - but not the legend he thinks he is.

I'd much rather watch Froch - a much more interesting, willing and exciting fighter. I mean, is Froch going to moan, defer, delay, and duck fights? The next in line has arrived.

There's nothing left for Joe, because there aren't any more guys that match his "Wanted: Middle Aged American Light Heavyweight" criteria. The money is drying up anyway and the only other possible guy was Tarver, who lost to Dawson. (Taylor might have been an option if he'd sizzled v Lacy, but he didn't.)

[Autobarn]

I can't see him getting huge money and the bigger money fights are all hard 1s - Dawson/Hopkins, plus I think Joe will fade prime wise faster than BHOPs now. And the medium money 1s are hard too Froch/Taylor. Who else is there? And before Autobahn interjects - Erdei/Kesser/Cunningham fights arent possibilities, oh and Cunningham beats him easy for whoever suggested that 1.

Kessler? Joe has already beaten him.

Erdei? Even more boring than Calzaghe.

I suggested the cruiser fight because I think this Thursday's winner is beatable and no more powerful than the average LIGHT HEAVY. I didn't say "Joe Calzaghe Will Fight for Cruiser Title." All I said, in my opinion I reckon he should. I cited the opportunity (Cunn-Ad fighting for legit title), & thus opportunity for Joe to gun for 3rd Ring title and join the legends. You know, like Arguello, Wilfredo Gomez, real greats who dared to be great and moved up to win 3 weight world titles. Of course, I don't think he will do it, as he never took a fight he wasn't at least 60-40 in his favour. It is a time when cross weight fights are being made - the week following Pac-DLH - and DLH was supposed to be too big for Pac Man. Pac did something exceptional, why not demand the exceptional from Calzaghe? I'm sure he'd get paid well for it.

[Captain Hook]

He might as well. He'll never have the legacy he craves.

He has the legacy HE craves, he doesn't have the legacy many on here crave..

[Captain Hook]

I like to be more naive and take boxers at face value, otherwise where does it end?

We end up constantly doubting what anyone says. But I do agree that if he REALLY REALLY wanted it, he could've done more about it.

That is my point - Calzaghe has had more fights not come to fruition during his prime than almost any long reigning world champion I can think of. The list is so long that is almost as long as the list of challengers he DID face.

He also constantly contradicted himself, he said he couldn't go to America for fear of flying, then turns up at ringside to watch a fight, he says he 'doesn't do rematches' then gives on to Viet. He says that he wouldn't fight Roy Jones Junior, because he is shot, and then goes and fights him in one of the most cynical and greedy matches of recent years.

Sorry, but Joe clearly isn't the most motivated when it comes to taking on the most dangerous challenges.

Can you imagine Calzaghe doing what Lennox did, when Johnson pulled out, and he faced Vitali instead! Not on your bloody life, he would probably have had Veit III instead, or Manfredo II.

Calzaghe's career will never attain the heights it could, or maybe should have, I'd rather he had two losses on his record and taken on everyone there was to beat, than be 46-0 and lots of questions left unanswered as it is now.

Lacy was the most dangerous challenge - he took him on
Kessler was then the most dangerous challenge - he took him on

Besides a prime RJJ, who else was there - Ottke?

He'd have beaten Ottke with one hand.

I agree his career is full of frustrating periods, but it's still been a great career.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I like to be more naive and take boxers at face value, otherwise where does it end?

We end up constantly doubting what anyone says. But I do agree that if he REALLY REALLY wanted it, he could've done more about it.

That is my point - Calzaghe has had more fights not come to fruition during his prime than almost any long reigning world champion I can think of. The list is so long that is almost as long as the list of challengers he DID face.

He also constantly contradicted himself, he said he couldn't go to America for fear of flying, then turns up at ringside to watch a fight, he says he 'doesn't do rematches' then gives on to Viet. He says that he wouldn't fight Roy Jones Junior, because he is shot, and then goes and fights him in one of the most cynical and greedy matches of recent years.

Sorry, but Joe clearly isn't the most motivated when it comes to taking on the most dangerous challenges.

Can you imagine Calzaghe doing what Lennox did, when Johnson pulled out, and he faced Vitali instead! Not on your bloody life, he would probably have had Veit III instead, or Manfredo II.

Calzaghe's career will never attain the heights it could, or maybe should have, I'd rather he had two losses on his record and taken on everyone there was to beat, than be 46-0 and lots of questions left unanswered as it is now.

Lacy was the most dangerous challenge - he took him on
Kessler was then the most dangerous challenge - he took him on

Besides a prime RJJ, who else was there - Ottke?

He'd have beaten Ottke with one hand.

I agree his career is full of frustrating periods, but it's still been a great career.

On what evidence would he have beaten Ottke with one hand? Nobody else managed to do so. Joe struggled with speedy counterpunchers - and Ottke was as slippery as an eel. Calzaghe barely got past Reid - and almost lost to old man Hopkins who made him look amateurish at times - so on what grounds would he had easily beaten Ottke?

I was no fan of Ottke's reign, but he was highly skilled and very very hard to nail during his lengthy prime.

Lacy was highly touted at the time - but had struggled with Sheika, and his most impressive win was against an over the hill, out of shape, and chronically demotivated Robin Reid. Lacy sure looked impressive at times, but he hadn't fought the kind of career to prepare him for Calzaghe - most thought Calzaghe was slowing given his recent performances, but that wasn't the case and he slapped Lacy around, a good win, but not against a great opponent. The really good

Beyer, Lucas, Mundine, Brewer, there's just a few, there are many more, but I cannot be arsed to dig them out.

The only vaguely proven fellow champion he ever faced was Kessler, and that is by far his finest win of his career, a very impressive fight against a guy who most think will go on to have a decent if not lengthy reign.

[observer1]

I like to be more naive and take boxers at face value, otherwise where does it end?

We end up constantly doubting what anyone says. But I do agree that if he REALLY REALLY wanted it, he could've done more about it.

That is my point - Calzaghe has had more fights not come to fruition during his prime than almost any long reigning world champion I can think of. The list is so long that is almost as long as the list of challengers he DID face.

He also constantly contradicted himself, he said he couldn't go to America for fear of flying, then turns up at ringside to watch a fight, he says he 'doesn't do rematches' then gives on to Viet. He says that he wouldn't fight Roy Jones Junior, because he is shot, and then goes and fights him in one of the most cynical and greedy matches of recent years.

Sorry, but Joe clearly isn't the most motivated when it comes to taking on the most dangerous challenges.

Can you imagine Calzaghe doing what Lennox did, when Johnson pulled out, and he faced Vitali instead! Not on your bloody life, he would probably have had Veit III instead, or Manfredo II.

Calzaghe's career will never attain the heights it could, or maybe should have, I'd rather he had two losses on his record and taken on everyone there was to beat, than be 46-0 and lots of questions left unanswered as it is now.

Very well said mate.

[stujones]

When Johnson "pulled out" - well he didn't, Joe faced Evans Ashira!

[Rocky Balboa]

I expect Calzaghe to retire. He's financially comfortable, is not an idiot so has probably made some shrewd investments with his earnings.

Calzaghe has been saying for a long time now that training has become more & more of chore over the years. I really do not think he has the motivation any more. However, as Enzo Clazaghe said recently, if someone comes up with a massive offer, maybe Joe won't retire after all!

Just what figure would tempt Calzaghe to have one sing-song? Calzaghe is not the biggest draw & never has been. If Enzo thinks Joe can command Oscar De La Hoya type purses then he's in another world!

[Captain Hook]

James - In my opinion he'd have beaten Ottke with one hand. I don't rate Ottke. look what Reid did to him, and then he got jobbed. He looked good at times, but is not in JC's league - he never was.

If Calzaghe had gone over to Germany and beaten him and got jobbed on points his career may have been different.

Who do you think would have won out of Ottke and Joe, out of interest?

I admitted portions of his career have been frustrating, and asked besides Ottke and RJJ in his prime, who should he have fought.

He beat Brewer......Mundine? fair enough, but where? Lucas? Come on, wins over Eubank, Mitchell and Reid, former world champs, were as impressive as his scalp.

To dismiss Lacy is BS. A large section of guys on here had Lacy to KO him, and Kessler to beat him, and some had RJJ and Hopkins to do a number on him. To call Hopkins "old man" after what he just did to Pavlik is ridiculous.

He beat them all and still struggles for any credit.

I'm not a JC lover, just respect the wins he has had. Like Hatton, he gets too much flak, but admit he doesn't help himself out of the ring in claiming to be an all-time great.

Both have one thing in common that didn't help with that, and his name begins with an F.

[observer1]

James - In my opinion he'd have beaten Ottke with one hand. I don't rate Ottke. look what Reid did to him, and then he got jobbed. He looked good at times, but is not in JC's league - he never was.

If Calzaghe had gone over to Germany and beaten him and got jobbed on points his career may have been different.

Who do you think would have won out of Ottke and Joe, out of interest?

I admitted portions of his career have been frustrating, and asked besides Ottke and RJJ in his prime, who should he have fought.

He beat Brewer......Mundine? fair enough, but where? Lucas? Come on, wins over Eubank, Mitchell and Reid, former world champs, were as impressive as his scalp.

To dismiss Lacy is BS. A large section of guys on here had Lacy to KO him, and Kessler to beat him, and some had RJJ and Hopkins to do a number on him. To call Hopkins "old man" after what he just did to Pavlik is ridiculous.

He beat them all and still struggles for any credit.

I'm not a JC lover, just respect the wins he has had. Like Hatton, he gets too much flak, but admit he doesn't help himself out of the ring in claiming to be an all-time great.

Both have one thing in common that didn't help with that, and his name begins with an F.

Nobody is saying JC is not a good Boxer. The guy is a brilliant Boxer, and has excellent talent. But a Fraud is a Fraud. Fat of the matter is, he could have achieved SO MUCH more had he ditched allegedly and did everytihng by the books. Instead it took him 10 years to unify a mediocre division..

That, mate, is the reason why many Boxing fans critisize him, since the critisism is fair. Fact is this guy has only beaten Old-Timers and Bums, with one or two hype jobs. I mean off all the guys he beat on he resumé, the best fighter he went Prime v Prime with is Kessler, that imo is a disgrace for someone at the World Stage where Calzaghe is.
He should have been in the mix with Prime Hopkins, RJJ, Tarver, etc.

Sure, he would have had a few losses to his career, so what?