Immensely. He retired too early in my opinion. He would have cleaned up the SMW or LHW divisions. Still had a lot of energy.
I'm glad that he retired on top. To many boxers fail to get out in time. Joe did and thats one of the very few shining examples of a fighter knowing when to quit.
I'm sad he retired. Would've enjoyed seeing Ward expose his technical deficiencies. Not that Joe would've fought him actually, so probably was the right thing he retired. Don't think I could've stomached any more duckage after his ATG disgraceful run of 1997-2006.
Yeah still think he had a few more fights in him. He should have got to Pavlik before Hopkins did because he would have done a number on him Lacy style. I don't think anyone in and around 168/175 at the time he retired would have beaten him. Still remains criminally underrated in many (american) circles.
Surely most boxing fans would miss Joe Calzaghe who was a modern boxing ATG {whether they wanted him to win or lose, the ones that wanted him to lose are probably relieved he retired as getting Joe Calzaghe beat by any boxer would be difficult at best}.
After following his fabulous career from the beginning with a great deal of enjoyment, admiration, and after he whupped Hopkins, amusement, I don't miss Sugar Joe at all. His career was complete, with nothing left to prove, and he retired at the right time. A true winner. :mjartyaarty:happy:bbb
I never watched any of his fights pre Lacy. I wish I had caught him when he was able to commit to his punches and had power. Maybe the last few years he has been having some secret hand surguries and will unretire for the super 6 winner heheh.Bionic hands...
I wish that time had ever existed. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACgTJhEdj5M&feature=player_embedded[/ame] But it didn't.
His boxing was absolute HORRIBLE. Also what Calzaghe did present with this acts were BAD for Boxing. I wish that guy had never exists. There are Sven Ottkes And Joe Calzaghes.
He retired on top and healthy so that was smart of him... I would love to see him fighting today's crop of fighters (at his peak of course) but hey.. he did a smart thing... Calzaghe-Hopkins 2 would be good to watch (as long as B Hop is aggressive) and see if Calzaghe could become LHW champ of the world again.... and if Calzaghe would have stayed he might have increased his legacy greatly because honestly, when he left after beating Jones Jr. and a lot of people felt he was cherry-picking... REGARDLESS, I think he is a great fighter but I wish he stayed more to improve his legacy becasue I do not think he is the "GREATEST OF ALLTIME" but I do think he is a really really good boxer who is hard to beat any night...
By the end of his career Calzaghe had developed a certain presence that made his fights appealing. Although his choice of opponents was questionable right till the end.