Most people on this board have no love for Joe and with good reason I believe, however his talent was undeniable whether you thought he slapped or not his work rate was simply phenomenal and beat everyone he fought including 2 ATG's (shot or not, it proves that he was at the least world class). So if he came back, in your mind what would he have to do to seal himself as an ATG? Would beating the winner of the super 6 be enough to you? Would beating both the most likely finalists, Froch and Ward be enough? I find it hard to believe people would accept him as one if he did, I doubt even I would such is my disappointment that he never fought Roy Jones in his prime I find it hard not be biased. And as a side note where would a victory over either of the names suggested rank on his resume? I tend to think it would be second behind B-Hop.
Joe won't ever see 168 again, so both fights would need to be at 175. But if he could beat whoever come out of the mix at both SMW and LH it would answer lots of questions people have. Incidentally, he'd probably get more credit for beating Pascal or Dawson at 175 than he would beating B-Hop again. Even if Hopkins had beaten the othe two.
The only way he can make up for his rather dull career, is if he comes back and defeats Ward, Bute and Froch at LHW. That would be an incredible achievement. Too bad he cannot, and will not beat one of them, never mind all three.
Kind of over looked Pascal and Dawson, well everyone at LH tbh. To me Dawson would just be called another Lacey and Pascal has been beaten by Froch and B-Hop. You're probably right about Joe at 168, I think Froch wouldn't have to much trouble adapting to moving up though.
If he did come back and fought somewhere around the level he did in the last two fights I think he breezes past Froch and take a close decision against Ward. As much heart as Froch has got he was out boxed by Dirrell and Kessler imo who I rate no where near the class of Joe. Bute I can't really comment on, just one of those fighters that I can never be bothered to watch :tired
That's the thing, though. Considering his long time away from the ring and his cocaine use, I don't think he could fight at that same level again. For this reason he'd be beaten by all three. It's just too late for him to make a comeback.
Kessler didn;t outbox Froch. After Froch cagily boxed him in the first round Kessler was more free-swinging then we have usually seen him. He's usally a basic one-two guy who does everything pretty well, against Froch he outpunched him in the trenches. Joe could come back and defeat Hopkins convincingly and I think there could be no doubt about how great he truly was (as there is no doubt about how great Hopkins is). As it stands, the guy is a borderline ATG with a formidable style. No shame in that, but there was a point where it was painful how overrated he was. Fact is, he will never come back.
Will you lot shut up!!!! I bought a Calzaghe career set last month and I don't want it to be ruined by a comeback... By the way, if he did and beat anyone of Bute, Super Six winner, Pascal or Hopkins it improves his reputation BIG time...
Works both ways with some fighters Flea man, painfully over rated by some and equally under rated by others. Calzaghe, if anywhere near good condition, would have too much for Froch IMO, people looking too much into the AA victory(which was fantastic) Dirrel,Taylor showed that any decent boxer can confuse Froch(i know they both got beat!!)...JC is better than decent I think he should stay retired anyway. He obviously thought his legacy was secured before retiring, so why go trying to improve it now after retirement. It's his own fault that people are questioning his greatness, i hope he doesnt have regrets.