BoxRec

Finally got round to reading the Joe Calzaghe Autobiography recently and just read this quote about him understanding why Steve Collins (allegedly) retired rather than face him as mandatory challenger.

"Finally, towards the end of his career, Collin's reputation was made secure by two wins each over Eubank and Benn. He didn't need to put it all on the line against me. Steve knew the danger, so he decided not to fight me.

I'm convinced that's why Steve gave up the WBO belt he had won from Eubank and walked off into retirement. Frank had got me into the position of mandatory challenger, so Steve couldn't duck me, deep down, he didn't want to know. He weighed up the pros and cons and probably concluded in his mind that I wasn't a big enough name to justify the risk of facing me. He'd just beaten two of the biggest names in the sport and all of a sudden he was being made to encounter a young, up and coming fighter who was dangerous. So he asked himself, 'Why? Do I need to risk getting the shit kicked out of me before I retire?"

I know the circumstance sare a little different (i.e. Pavlik is a bigger name than Calzaghe was at the time and Joe has no commitment to fight Pavlik) but I also see a lot of parallels in that hopefully by November Joe will have beaten two legends of the sport and will then be faced with the dilemna of whether to fight a young, hungry contender with serious knock out power or retire.

I personally think Joe's pride and belief that he's still sharp enough might make it hard for him to turn down a fight with Pavlik, but just wondered what some of the people on here would do if they were in Joe's shoes??

I can't see Pavlik vs. Calzaghe ever happening.

Why Dioufy??

PS you gonna change your name now spitter has dissapeared to Sunderland?? I'm presuming you're a Bolton fan.

I wish I could change my name, but I can't.

I reckon it won't happen because Calzaghe will struggle against Jones. I still think he will win but it's not going to be a convincing win in my opinion. Calzaghe's main goal is to finish with a "0" on his record, so I can't see him risking that against Pavlik when he's coming off two mediocre performances against very old men. The ironic thing here though - I can actually see Calzaghe dealing with Pavlik easier than Jones. Calzaghe's problems have all come when he's had to chase his opponent, whereas against Pavlik, I can see him hitting and running - he will probably do a perfect countering job on Pavlik I reckon. A come forward fighter like Pavlik will struggle against Calzaghe, just like Kessler and Lacy did. I also can't see Pavlik knocking him out as Calzo has a sound chin.

Well, many have doubted Joe in the past in particular against Lacy, Kessler, and Hopkins. Pavlik is different though, somehow you can see him (Pavlik)doing what the others couldnt. Joe I think, is treading dangerous ground if he decides to fight Kelly Pavlik. Taylor thats a different matter and a good moneymaker.

Like I say, I think Calzaghe would box Pavlik's ears off.

Dioufy wrote:Like I say, I think Calzaghe would box Pavlik's ears off.

Joe still has fast hands, but no KO anymore. Pavlik can take all Joe can give him, hes very tough and strong. However with the punch of a HW if he catches Joe flush, even with a good chin it would all be over. I am a big Calzaghe fan and I just want to see him end his career proudly with a perfect record.

I'd like to see him end his career with an 0 next to his name too, but there are still loads of people who come on here and criticise Joe's recent run of beating higher class opponents as too little too late. And this seems to be a sensitive area for Joe in his book too.

So I just wonder if he might be tempted to cement his legacy by fighting Pavlik or whether he's now only really concerned about the $$'s.

I think the fact that he's already gone back on his quote that he'd never fight Roy Jones because he's past it shows us he's thinking about his retirement fund (and I don't blame him for that), but I think what course he chooses after that fight will have a much greater bearing on how his exit from the sport is perceived by boxing fans.

If he doesnt fight Pavlik, will anyone (who isnt an internet forum neer-do-well) really consider it as a blot on his record?

And if he does, what then?

"ahhhh yes, but he didnt fight Abrahams or Frotch" and so on?


tiresome

WildWaylon wrote:

Dioufy wrote:Like I say, I think Calzaghe would box Pavlik's ears off.

Joe still has fast hands, but no KO anymore. Pavlik can take all Joe can give him, hes very tough and strong. However with the punch of a HW if he catches Joe flush, even with a good chin it would all be over. I am a big Calzaghe fan and I just want to see him end his career proudly with a perfect record.

He won't be able to take what Joe would throw at him when It's In volume and fast. Joe swarms fighters with high workrate and while It might not hurt In single shots will hurt them In volume.

I would get excited about watching Joe again If he fights someone fresh like Pavlik though.

At 37 I'm not sure Calazage can keep Pavlik off him, I wouldn't if I was Calazage unless it was an 8 figure purse

pavlik needs to beat hops first.

i wanna see calaghe take him on if he beats hops.

hopefully joe will go with it.

he can sneak it in before he turns 37.

then get out.

had the calzaghe-hops fight on again the other night.

gotta give calzaghe credit.

messy arse fight but he made it his.

Max Molyneux wrote:I would get excited about watching Joe again If he fights someone fresh like Pavlik though.

You have lost interest in watching Joe's fights just when he has started to face the best opposition in his career? I don't get you.

Horse wrote:

Max Molyneux wrote:I would get excited about watching Joe again If he fights someone fresh like Pavlik though.

You have lost interest in watching Joe's fights just when he has started to face the best opposition in his career? I don't get you.

Lost interest because he's fighting Jones. A fresh opponent would get me Interested.

Max Molyneux wrote:Lost interest because he's fighting Jones. A fresh opponent would get me Interested.

It is just one fight though, and it might be better than expected. Jones might not be fresh, but he will still be one of Calzaghe's best opponents to date.

I find it difficult to believe that you are not interested in this fight, after all of the fanatic posts you have made about Calzaghe. It is very odd.

Wax On wrote:Finally got round to reading the Joe Calzaghe Autobiography recently and just read this quote about him understanding why Steve Collins (allegedly) retired rather than face him as mandatory challenger.

"Finally, towards the end of his career, Collin's reputation was made secure by two wins each over Eubank and Benn. He didn't need to put it all on the line against me. Steve knew the danger, so he decided not to fight me.

I'm convinced that's why Steve gave up the WBO belt he had won from Eubank and walked off into retirement. Frank had got me into the position of mandatory challenger, so Steve couldn't duck me, deep down, he didn't want to know. He weighed up the pros and cons and probably concluded in his mind that I wasn't a big enough name to justify the risk of facing me. He'd just beaten two of the biggest names in the sport and all of a sudden he was being made to encounter a young, up and coming fighter who was dangerous. So he asked himself, 'Why? Do I need to risk getting the shit kicked out of me before I retire?"

I know the circumstance sare a little different (i.e. Pavlik is a bigger name than Calzaghe was at the time and Joe has no commitment to fight Pavlik) but I also see a lot of parallels in that hopefully by November Joe will have beaten two legends of the sport and will then be faced with the dilemna of whether to fight a young, hungry contender with serious knock out power or retire.

I personally think Joe's pride and belief that he's still sharp enough might make it hard for him to turn down a fight with Pavlik, but just wondered what some of the people on here would do if they were in Joe's shoes??

The other and probably main reason that Steve didn't take it was because the money was poor. FW was trying to do here what he did to Robinson with Hamed.
If the money is right i'm sure JC will fight Pavlik and I think he has more chance of beating Pavlik than Collins did against himself