For his legacy. I remember reading somewhere ****** actually wanted to make the Pavlik fight instead of fighting Roy Jones.
:deal iv always said this. He had no business fighting Roy Jones. It meant nothing. He should have exposed Pavlik at the MGM grand for the hype job he was, then he should have exposed Chad Dawson for the hype job that he was in those days too. Then he could have either fought Jermain Taylor or Carl Froch for his last fight, either he would have won. Then retire 48-0 greatness in no doubt :yep
Frank wanted him to fight Pavlik, then he left Frank and fought Roy for what I think was a bigger payday. Looking back now, scary to think just how highly regarded Pavlik was then.
Pavlik and Dawson were the two everyone was calling for. Both would have done infinitely more for his legacy than fighting the shell of Roy Jones Jr. Worst retirement fight ever to say he "went out on top". Major kop out.
Definately he should have, but Hopkins did and got the glory instead. Calzaghe was extremely talented but his career is peppered with ifs and buts.
He was a light heavyweight, and could have fought a middle weight or a guy who couldn't draw flies with 2 hands full of **** for his grand finale? People would be moaning about either now if he'd done that instead.
For his legacy and for the fans yes he should have, but if I were in his position I may well have done the same.
Pavlik would have been more lucrative financially than Dawson, him vs Joe would have been an ideal Atlantic City type event. The Jones episode was a complete abortion, Roy was completely shot to ****, and worth absolutely nothing, but bagged an unbelievable 50% split by all accounts. Shocking business decision by JC, he held all the cards and could have offered Roy $1m and said 'here'. Both Hops and Pavlik got a $3m guarantee, not bad considering one of them was widely perceived to be an accident waiting to happen at 43. Pavlik would have taken the fight with Calzaghe, at that time he was flying high and would have fancied his chances. Considering Calzaghe ate right hands for breakfast it's easy to see why, looking back. Joe would have won and won well, but it wouldn't have been a complete demolition job.... more a 118-110 decision with a few competitive rounds.
Knowing what we know now, Calzaghe would have had an easy time with him. Still, people would have still found a way to ridicule the 'W' had he beat Pavlik.