Joe Calzaghe announces his retirement today

[JimJim2009]

Joe Calzaghe is announcing his retirement from boxing on tonight's BBC news.

[Spud]

Joe Calzaghe is announcing his retirement from boxing on tonight's BBC news.

"Oh what could have been" is all I can think of!!!

Some may question that - but just think what Calzaghe could have done if he had taken those bigger fights earlier - even 2 years earlier would have meant by now there would have been no question whatsoever over his status as a ring legend - I honestly believe a lot of the more avid boxing fans will think Calzaghe could have achieved even more than what he did!!!

[Horse]

Joe Calzaghe is announcing his retirement from boxing on tonight's BBC news.

Pussy!

[stujones]

Joe Calzaghe is announcing his retirement from boxing on tonight's BBC news.

"Oh what could have been" is all I can think of!!!

Some may question that - but just think what Calzaghe could have done if he had taken those bigger fights earlier - even 2 years earlier would have meant by now there would have been no question whatsoever over his status as a ring legend - I honestly believe a lot of the more avid boxing fans will think Calzaghe could have achieved even more than what he did!!!

Legend is a term I use for only a very limited band of boxers. I think Joe is already a great, but I disagree with your post - I think Joe did everything he could to his ability.

I don't think 2 years would have made much difference, Hopkins was past his past (by performances) after the Joppy fight in 2003, and Roy was never the same after the Ruiz fight.... but had he fought those around those time (when they were at their prime) - I don't think his status as a great would have been stamped - I think he would have lost.

And laugh all you like, biggest "loss" of Joe's career was not that he missed out on Hopkins or Jones at their prime - but he never fought Ottke, the man who co-reigned for 8 of Joe's 10 years.

Good luck in his retirement, been a great servant and hope he sticks to it... don't want a British Great (which Joe secured a long time ago) to go punchy or anything.

[Dioufy]

Amazingly special talent but only very decent achievements. Like people have alluded to, he could've been the best, ever.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Have to agree - had he fought either of those men near their primes, he would have lost - but there were so many other missed opportunities. A very very good career, but not a great one, the unbeaten run aside, just not enough big names on the register, and too little in the way of risk-taking.

So long Joe, well done, done Britain proud.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Amazingly special talent but only very decent achievements. Like people have alluded to, he could've been the best, ever.

No, don't think he could. Better than Robinson, Ray Leonard, Duran? Come now. Let's all calm down.

[Dioufy]

Perhaps best ever is pushing it, but he definitely would be up there somewhere if he replicated the last three years of his career over the last ten years. I mean, there's even a very decent fight in Froch, but he won't take it. Epitomises his career really.

[Dioufy]

I hate the fact that he only had two unifaction fights in his whole career. I think that's poor for "our best British boxer ever."

[Fatsam]

What would people think if froch beats taylor and hopkins convincingly ??

I was wondering earlier what could calzaghe really do at this stage to make his "legendary" status more solid as i'm sure he would like. I think if Froch can pull off a taylor win and then beat either kessler/hopkins he could make a really big noise to get joe out of retirement.

[stujones]

I hate the fact that he only had two unifaction fights in his whole career. I think that's poor for "our best British boxer ever."

Well technically, thats all you need... Lennox only had two unification fights.... Hopkins only had 3, but I know what you mean. He could have fought the best contenders and other champions - yes.

[Poncey]

Amazingly special talent but only very decent achievements. Like people have alluded to, he could've been the best, ever.

No, don't think he could. Better than Robinson, Ray Leonard, Duran? Come now. Let's all calm down.

x2

Maybe could've been best ever Brit, but never, ever, ever (ever) GOAT.

We agree on something. Time to sit down.

[boxerbob]

calzaghe aint great his best win was vs kessler...who is a decent champion , not great

not any big names on his record who were in ther prime - FACT

good champion but nowhere near great , certainly not a legend.

46-0 , ive always said if benn and eubank fought joes world title challengers , they would be 46-0 aswell

[Autobarn]

Obviously an outstanding boxer, made it into the p4p top 5, got the respect of the US writers. Those wins over Kessler and Lacy were special, but when he came out of the comfort zone of super middle and the UK, he didn't look anywhere near as good. Made the money, got the recognition.

But, as someone who watched him for much of his career, well it was bleeding frustrating wasn't it. Though Kessler and Lacy aren't greats, they were very good fighters or regarded as such at the time and these are special nights of British boxing, sort of nice solo performances with a real sense of occasion to it. (the RJJ and Hopkins fights, especially the RJJ, seemed contrived cash ins bloated by hype).

I think Joe would have caught on more - on both sides of the pond - if there had been a Yank of Kessler's quality, instead of Kessler. If you know what I mean.

Could he have pushed for bigger fights earlier? Could he have gunned for the p4p #1 spot? Could he have gone that extra mile - I reckon so.

[Dioufy]

I think Joe's had three amazing wins. The Lacy fight was a clinic, and people diminish that fight now, but at the time, it was a completely sensational performance. The Hopkins win, although I had Hopkins winning was a great result on paper, especially when you look at how easily Hopkins dealt with Pavlik (a man some people tipped to beat Calzaghe himself). His best win for me was Kessler - that guy oozes quality and I expect him to do big things in the future. Then he has a few decent wins against the likes of Mitchell, Eubank and Delaney, but after them, things start to look a bit dodgy. I just wonder how exciting his career would've been if he had the philosophy of Haye or Froch. A massive shame he isn't like them, in terms of fighting the best, then looking for better.

[Asterix]

I've really appreciated Calzaghe's fights against Lacy & Kessler. He has been a pleasure to watch. I hope he enjoys whatever he chooses to do next. Retirement is a wise decision.

[mark thompson]

I think Joe's had three amazing wins. The Lacy fight was a clinic, and people diminish that fight now, but at the time, it was a completely sensational performance. The Hopkins win, although I had Hopkins winning was a great result on paper, especially when you look at how easily Hopkins dealt with Pavlik (a man some people tipped to beat Calzaghe himself). His best win for me was Kessler - that guy oozes quality and I expect him to do big things in the future. Then he has a few decent wins against the likes of Mitchell, Eubank and Delaney, but after them, things start to look a bit dodgy. I just wonder how exciting his career would've been if he had the philosophy of Haye or Froch. A massive shame he isn't like them, in terms of fighting the best, then looking for better.

spot on Dioufy

[Herol]

Glad he's retired. For the best.

Calzaghe can slag Froch off all he likes, but Froch has a much more attractive partner than Calzaghe.

I don't know how the Cobra managed it with that huge conk of his.

[rob h]

I just dont agree with people claiming he's an outstanding boxer. I think he's very over-rated. He's hand picked his opponents all through his career right up until the end.

He would'nt have beaten Hopkins or Jones in there prime. He has wasted too much time and for that reason.....Im Out.

[Horse]

Could he have gunned for the p4p #1 spot? Could he have gone that extra mile - I reckon so.

This is what disgusts me about him retiring now the most. Calzaghe becoming the P4P No.1 by the end of the year was a realistic possibility, yet he doesn't have the balls to risk defeat and go for it, very disappointing.

[whicker]

The interview said something along the lines of "Retirement is for ever".

He clearly hasn't had much experience of boxing, then!

[Autobarn]

Could he have gunned for the p4p #1 spot? Could he have gone that extra mile - I reckon so.

This is what disgusts me about him retiring now the most. Calzaghe becoming the P4P No.1 by the end of the year was a realistic possibility, yet he doesn't have the balls to risk defeat and go for it, very disappointing.

yeah, the moment everyone is gunnign for him and he's out - it is somewhat disappointing but it would appear he got his American "man-ney" and cashed out.

[teddy007]

Calzaghe will be rememberd as good but not great, his best win is over Kessler who in my opinion will become a better fighter than Calzaghe.

[whicker]

Is it just me then who thinks his retirement will be short lived?

[jayc]

Could he have gunned for the p4p #1 spot? Could he have gone that extra mile - I reckon so.

This is what disgusts me about him retiring now the most. Calzaghe becoming the P4P No.1 by the end of the year was a realistic possibility, yet he doesn't have the balls to risk defeat and go for it, very disappointing.

he risked defeat 46 times - sometimes people talk complete shit on here