I don't know what other Calzaghe fans think but I think the Joe has been slowly deteriorating since the Lacy fight. Yes,he performed really well against Kessler and has won two since but I think there are signs that he is slipping now, the fact that he is winning is covering the cracks. He doesn't have the same zest as far as I can see in the ring, maybe because he's fighting at LHW but I don't think he has the same fitness as he used to and I think his heart isn't in it as much as it once was. He's gettin caught a lot and I think his punch resistance is going to go soon too. Some will say its because of the competition which is a fair point and I agree to an extent but think he is a fading fighter. What does everyone think?
his fitness is out of this world. he's been caught cold in his last couple of outings but has taken bigger punches throughout the night. eg. that uppercut that roy detonated on his chin. He had every right to showboat it was possibly his farewell fight and he wanted to enjoy himself.
The only real indication is that he has been down twice, and cut. The counter argument to that is that it was done by two aged elite fighters who's power is the last thing to go. Despite being diminished in many other departments they still had enough to put him down.
It's only a hunch, but I don't think he is as durable anymore. His stamina and workrate also seem to be worse. He's not been getting better since the Kessler fight, that's for sure.
LOl, yeah i know crazy isn't it. Theres always the 'next big thing' out there but he should call it a day, **** the naysayers!
I don't think it's the weight, to be honest. The difference is not great and he comes in pretty much at the same weight on the night as he used to when weighing in at 168. It just means he has to starve himself less... If anything, the higher weight should make him more solid and his stamina should not be worse. Nah...it's the decline. Just because it's not that abrupt, it doesn't mean it's not there. He can still throw fast flurries, but when you look at his jab, it's not as fast as it used to be. :good
He is not as good as he once was. You never know when the performance 'cliff' is going to show up, and Joe has to know that. I still think he has one more great fight left in him if he wants to take it, though.
Wouldn't it be tragic if he "fell off the cliff" in his next fight and lost? :-( Then, he'd ask for a rematch and get beaten up even more. :verysad He'd then fight someone as a tune-up for another shot at the new champ, and get beaten again, probably. What a way to end your career!!! :-( Alternatively, we could see Calzaghe losing twice and then fighting a journeyman in his tune-up fight... He could then decide he has had enough; he's beaten the journeyman so he can end his career on a "W" and retire.:verysad What about if he goes on and one, until he ends up like Jones?:-(
I think the that 'cliff' is not very far off to be honest, I think whoever he fights next he will win but get through by sheer willpower, adrenaline (especially as it would be at Cardiff) and ringcraft alone.