Dawson has fought Tarver, Johnson, Adamek, Harding, all good fighters, in a short period of time. He's well qualified in achievement and skills, but sadly lacking the charisma to draw big name like Joe. Based on Joe's pre 2006 record, the record is quite thin, though he went on to prove himself. His work at 175 does feel incomplete due to closeness of the Hopkins fight and the cynical (if entertaining) cash in (or cash out) that was the Jones fight and the fact that there is a strong champ in Dawson out there. # Dawson presents a totally different style to eg Lacy & kessler, a southpaw, speedy, counter puncher. So it's a totally valid fight but just may not "make sense" in te risk-reward department.
Sadly, because of how boxing is run, Hopkins and Jones were the 2 most lucrative fights out there for Joe. Surely you respect Calzaghe for going up against the big reputations that were Lacy and Kessler. Of course, he beats them and then they aren't rated so high anymore, but you have to credit him for taking their titles and unbeaten records. Lacy was an improtant fight, a vital fight, because it was the spectacle, it was the package that brought Joe to the US audience and the US TV money. Also, admittedly there are poor names on the record. But Brewer, Mitchell, Reid, Woodhall, ex champs all, had some fight left in them - all were entertainign scraps. Those were good title defences.
It's true here that If Calzhage beats Daw.. then they'll say that he never was or was overated ????????? this dampens the fight for Me:deal
pretty good compared to what? Dude, A prime joe Calzaghe was a treat to watch. He was so much faster and busier than everyone else he ever fought. Everyone talks about, "if Joe would have fought Jones in his prime..." joe in his prime was lightyears above what you saw in Madison Square Garden last year.
Yes it is true. I've watched it on here since before he fought Lacy at 34 (The age where Oscar was declared over the hill against Floyd and the age where Roy WAS over the hill). So he schooled Lacy (who every one here said was going to kill him, everyon from the usual haters to the casual fans to the good posters to almost all the media) and after that, Lacy became 'over-rated.' "He should fight Kessler !" New cry. "He never will" "He's scared of Kessler" etc. etc. At almost 36, he beat Kessler handily. Hopkins next ? A step up for the eurobum. Too seasoned, too crafty etc. etc..... And so they fought. After four rounds, Hops was only interested in making it to 12th bell. Throw a punch and grab. Repeat. Reeat. Repeat.... Go down and roll in agony ! Anything to delay the game and get a rest. 9-3, 8-4 and 6-6. Oh well. Bernard was just old. Nothing to do with Joe. Who did the public want to see next ? Jones. (Manny Stewart, Jim Lampley and Harold Lederman all called it the next logical step. In a poll on here, Jones took over 60 % of the vote ) But wait, he must be ducking Pavlik. Who brought more $$$ to the table ? Who did the public want to see ? Jones. I would rather he had fought Dawson as I figured (rightly ) that Jones was well past his best. Then Hops destroys Pav. Suddenly Hops is not too old, or Pav is overrated. Take your pick. So now, at 37, Joe finally hangs them up. And there's still some who say Dawson would have been the last. Just like the alcoholic who says this one is REALLY the last one. No, there would ALWAYS be one more. Dawson was a 50/50 fight IMO, but at 37 why does he need to fight a guy he would have almost certainly destroyed when he was prime ? Roy did everything he needed to do to be a living legend and an all time great. He should have retired then, after Ruiz. But the Roy haters still denigrated his accomplishments. Always one more. And now his legacy gets tainted. He would have toyed with Tarver in his prime ! Good time for Joe to go. Before he meets his Tarver.
Bad Chad Dawson doesnt need Calslappy. He can retire to **** town Wales for all I care. Chad Dawson only 26 years old has beat just as many top tier fighters in his career as Calslappy. He has a victory over the number 1 rated Cruiserweight in the world, he has 2 wins over guys who knocked out Roy Jones, Slappy Joes self proclaimed "greatest victory" Calslappies resume is a joke. He faced a shot Eubank, a shot Roy Jones, a European fighter in Kessler who has done nothing in his career to warrent his victory a "great win" and he barely squeaked by a 43 year old Bernard Hopkins where he looked absolutely horrible and got knocked down to bat. Chad Dawson is the king of the light heavyweight division. He's an exciting fighter who isnt afraid to face the best the division has to offer. I fully except CHad Dawson to be a 2-3 division champion by the time his career is over. Let Joey retire. Boxing is better without him.
Great post ! You got it all out there. You'll probably feel much better now. (At least till it's that time of the month again for you).
I don't think it's essential for Calzaghe to fight him, let him retire, but considering Dawson would be in Joe's top 2 or 3 ever wins (possibly his best ever win with time) I don't think its fair to say a win over Dawson proves nothing, or that he hasn't earned a shot.