I beleive at 36 he is past his very best, but his earning potential has quadrupled as had his record and fame. He is a lot like Hopkins who didnt really get credit or the big fights until he was Joe's age. Calzaghe is still quicker, fitter and smarter than everyone else in the division and that could be enough for him to carry on for one more fight. I think if he really beleived he was gonna retire, he would of announced at the post fight press conference. I think he'll see what HBO will offer him for another fight, if he thinks its worth it, he'll sign to fight one more time.
...could still become hurt or even damaged for life, even if he is brave enough to fight to the bitter end on guts alone and win...is it worth it? I know what his mum thinks!
Joe is just fine and dandy. He schooled one of the best fighters of our time. Yeah, Roy is almost 40. But, so is bernard, who is 43 and still going. Plus, remember Joe is 36. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.atsch
He is physically deteriorated, and he does not have the same focus and desire he previously had. When this happens to a fighter it is time to retire. Calzaghe should retire. His head IMO is not in it anymore. The Jones fight was for his pension fund.
Totally agree. Great post :good * Another terrific post. :good This is the 'dilemma' for Joe. He's never been so in demand nor with as much earning power. Yet, he's close to turning 37 and the only way for him to go, physically, is down. In this sense, Joe is in a tough spot as far as what he will do in his fight career. Every additional bout is another chance for Joe to suddenly turn old in the ring and lose his '0.' I do think Joe will make one last fight, with Dawson. He can convince himself he's doing it for his Welsh fans and he's facing his last challenge. HBO's on board and Calz will pull down some good $$$. Only time will tell, though. You really have to respect Hopkins when you look at this situation, or even thinking about Roy. For BHop to do what he did with Pavlik at 43 -- 6+ years older than Joe -- is almost beyond belief. And the thing is, BHop looks as good physically as he ever has. He's big and strong, not weight drained and lethargic. Of course, his cardio isn't what it once was but it's still incredible to see what he has done.
This has been obvious for a few fights. He wasn't right against Hopkins, but most of that was lost in Hopkins being difficult to look good against etc. But if you focus on Calzaghe alone and forget he's fighting Bernard Hopkins, his physical gifts are diminshed. It's quite noticeable if you check back a few years to previous fights. People that watched Calzaghe for years knew it.