They have also published an article where old B-Hop takes his turn at ripping Calzaghe a new one:By Mike Cassell, Philadelphia Boxing Report (Dec 15, 2008) Doghouse Boxing
The L.A. times led with a story, “Pro boxing dying a natural death”. Yes, it is true. But it wasn’t written this week, or this year, it was on OCTOBER 5TH 1916.
Whether its Floyd Mayweather Jr’s accusations of racism by HBO broadcasters, or Joe Calzaghe’s recent trashing of the sport that made him, these retired annoying “STARS” just won’t seem to go away. Joe Calzaghe is like that drunk uncle who stays too long, talks too much, and just when you think he
is going to leave, he is back to annoy you.
After earning a small fortune in the sport of boxing in Europe and right here in the United States, he can’t seem to keep his big mouth shut when it comes to what is wrong with the sport. Maybe if his royal highness could have spoke up sooner, we could have saved the game from its obvious and inevitable demise. It is so like this egomaniacal buffoon to think that the sport will not survive without him. Joe, just for the record, the sport was around long before you got here, and it will be around long after you’re gone. That I guarantee. And maybe it will have members who are a bit more grateful and giving to the sport that made them millionaires.
"I think boxing is a dying sport. Globally -- in America for instance -- you've got UFC, which has taken a lot off boxing, business-wise," Joe Calzaghe
There is enough room for MMA, just like there was enough room for the booming eighties sport of kickboxing, which by the way was supposed to kill boxing too. It was a sport featured in movies, and managed to weave itself into 80’s POP culture very easily. Then it just stopped being entertaining. As much as it tried, the talent level just wasn’t there. People once again came back to where the talent is, boxing, and continued to pay your salary. Maybe if you used your name and some of the money you made from this “dying sport”, to invigorate or help bring change to the game you supposedly love, things would get better. But no, you choose to take your money and run, and then shoot your employer. That’s some loyalty Joe. I’m sure glad they didn’t make them like you over there in the 1940’s; we would all be speaking German right now.
"There is too much politics in boxing, too many belts and too many champions, which dilutes real champions like myself," he said. "There are four world champions in each division and it's bad because there are no stars any more. It's a big problem." Joe Calzaghe
Does this guy even hear himself talking? Trust me Joe; you were diluted long before boxing ever got to you my friend. If anything, boxing gave your life context. Maybe you think staying in a dead division for 10 years, and coming out to fight a bunch of old guys, somehow makes you this big “star” you think you are. It really doesn’t. The reason there are so many belts is because MEGA STARS like yourself wouldn’t fight anybody with any real talent during the best part of your career. The super middleweight division had no one of any real talent for years, and when it did, you seemed to not pay attention. How can a star be made when you don’t give anyone with a fighting chance a shot. I’m sure Tocker Pudwill, Mger Mkrtchian, and Will McIntyre would have understood if a superstar like yourself would have fought guys like Robert Allen, Glen Johnson, and James Toney in their prime. Fighters that Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins had no fear in facing, while facing each other.
"America only had one medalist in the Olympics this year," Calzaghe said. "In Britain, we did pretty good, but I'm glad I'm ending my career and not starting it because I don't think it's going to be that great in the future." Joe Calzaghe
Books have been written about the dysfunctional nature of Olympic boxing. The problem isn’t the sport itself; it is the idiots we have entrusted international boxing to. Olympic boxing is very bad now, and it was very bad twenty years ago when Roy Jones was robbed of a gold medal. It didn’t stop Roy from becoming a star, and it shouldn’t stop anyone with any real talent. The real problem with boxing is the take the money and run attitude of self delusional boxing stars and promoters. They think it is all about them, as you think it is all about you. I have a great idea. Why don’t you call Floyd Mayweather Jr., pool your money together and buy an island somewhere without a phone, and stay retired.
That would probably be the best thing you could ever do for the sport.
Hopkins on Calzaghe - doghouseboxing.com
Bernard Hopkins is not the least bit happy with recent statements from Joe Calzaghe in which Calzaghe says the sport of Boxing is dying. Quoted by the Ring Magazine, Hopkins blasted Calzaghe over his recent comments.
Hopkins states to the publication: "I don’t know where he’s been, on Mars or something. Maybe he missed the numbers that (Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquaio) generated – 1.25 million pay-per-view buys in a recession. That’s 70, 80 million dollars in revenue. And he’s says boxing is dead?"
Hopkins went on to diss Calzaghe and add that Calzaghe should go ahead and retire and keep his mouth shut. "Maybe it’s dead when he fights. If he wants to retire, he should go ahead and retire and keep his mouth shut. He has his wins, his undefeated record. He should go join his family. Other than that, he should shut up. And tell him Bernard says that," said Hopkins.
It seems Joe has his detractors over on DogHouse. I think his comments are fair, but like the writer points out, its a little ironic to be comming from his mouth, at this stage of his career. Calzaghe is right when he states there are to many belts = to many champions. Its terrible for the sport IMO. One belt per division, with one ranking body, controlled by a fair and just, properly regulated governing body that works for the good of the sport. The best fight the best, and the best cannot beat up on unproven clubfighters. Calzaghe would do well to remember that it was the various belts = various chamions set up that allowed him to dodge and hide for all those years he reigned as champion, so its a little ironic all that comming from him now.
You reap what you sow, and i for one will always remember Calzaghe for his unwillingness to fight the best during his long winded WBO reign. So perhaps he should watch his words, even if they do ring with some truth!
Pope John Paul 2 was a catholic, Hitler a Nazi, and Calzaghe a wasted talent (who desperate'ly tried to turn it all around in the twilight of his career). 