[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZld1tOK-NI[/url] I like his reasoning and hope he stays retired.
I'm a big Calzaghe fan but i just find it dissapointing that he has the "Iv made my money, im undefeated and unhurt so il retire" attitude. He'd beat anyone around his weight, most of them comfortably, so i'd wish he'd just do it to improve his legacy and reputation rather than saying "i know i can so why should i bother". Having said that, fantastic champion and good luck to him, its just a shame his accomplishments dont match his talent or ability.
I'm inclined to agree to an extent. I feel he should've and could've accomplished more. The Hopkins fight was suspect, and of course he would've never whipped a primed RJJ, but aside from that he's gone a bit unsung, even if a bit due to his own doing.
I wish he'd kept fighting, but done it because he was hungry to prove more - that way he'd have fought motivated and delivered the kessler, lacy esque performances. As it stands, I don't want him to return. I don't think he wants anymore, legacy/challenge wise, and therefore risks taking a loss for coming in underprepared, undermotivated, or motivated by the wrong reasons, i.e. money. It is a shame though. I was angry when he didn't take the Pavlik fight because ti seemed so winnable to me. The kudos would have been on another level and would have solidified his position in many people's eyes (even if he'd have been fighting a middleweight). I think he could have beaten Dawson as well. As it stands, Hopkins rode the Pavlik gravy train and Dawson is stuck with his shitty rematch against Tarver.
If he'd have been beaten in his career he'd still be fighting today. But that is such a big thing hanging over him every time he enters the ring. He just doesnt want to lose that 0 on his record. Great fighter
He knows he was sliding, and knows it's the right time to retire. A lot of people who didn't see Calzaghe til he fought Lacy seem to forget he's old.