Calzaghe should fight Dawson in Wales and then retire

So Dawson has beaten world class opposition. And Bute beat Joppy. That's about the same. Tarver is shot, he is not a world class fighter anymore. Adamek and Johnson (also very old), that's about it right? Bute fought Andrade, Bika and Berrio. Of course, these boxers don't have the past of Adamek, Johnson and Tarver. But when Bute fought them, they were at their peak, they were more dangerous than Tarver, Adamek and Johnson when Dawson fought them. And I would'nt bet on Dawson against Bute. I think it would a good match.

 

If Dawson is no threat, and Calzaghe is unbeatable - which you clearly seem to believe, then surely there is no better way to end a career than an easy win in Cardiff against this 'B+/A- fighter' that some consider dangerous... Another couple of million (easily won) to add to the retirement pot can do no harm, right? So what's the problem?

 

Motivation. Calzaghe has clearly stated in the last couple of years that he has little motivation unless he feels he if fighting a true challenge.

 

what about the young and hungry lacy and kessler,they were not good enough no?
and if he fights a younger fighter are people going to say the younger fighter is fighting an old man in calzaghe at 37,no.
althought they did when calzaghe fought two years older jones and seven years older hopkins,the margin of a hungry prime 25 year boxing has a margin of 12 years with joe and no one will mention it.

 

Calzaghe is not unbeatable; Dawson is a threat! He is not the biggest threat ever that Calzaghe will have faced and, imo, he's not good enough to beat Calzaghe yet. Please don't misquote me.

What's the problem? There is no problem. What would be the problem with Calzaghe fighting Bute in Wales, as he farewell fight, for example? How about Taylor?

Dawson isn't the outstanding candidate some people want to make out he is. He is unproven, good as he is, and there are proven fighter out there who are unbeaten, who might not be as good as Dawson, but who also deserve a shot. e.g. Bute, to be the devil's advocate, and there are proven fighters who've achieved more than Dawson, whom Calzaghe could fight instead too. e.g. Taylor, who has wins over Wright and Hopkins.

 

:deal

There is no outstanding candidate out there for Calzaghe to be motivated enough to want to fight him. Nothing to do with risk/reward. The man's tired of boxing; he wants to retire. He's done it all; nothing left to prove, icing on the cake against Hopkins and cherry on the cake against Jones, as someone said before me, in another thread...that's it. Farewell, Aufwiedersehen, goodbye!

 

I would say, 'Congratulations and RESPECT'! As I did after his win over Kessler.

Contrary to what you say, I think he got a lot of credit for Kessler. Sure there is always a bunch of vocal morons out there - but people who know what they're talking about, mention Kessler as one of Joe's best wins. And the fact that Joe considers him one of his toughest opponents means a lot as well.

And I know that you have some definition of 'PROVEN' that Chad Dawson somehow doesn't satisfy. But surely he has beaten a few 'PROVEN' fighters (or are Tarver, Johnson, Adamek all unproven as well?). So even if beating those guys doesn't grant him entrance to the 'DECEBAL CLUB OF THE PROVEN' I think it does mean something... In my eyes it makes him a legit challenge to Joe. No more, no less.

 

I think Dawson beats the 5 guys you mentioned at the time Calzaghe beat those fighters. I agree with you on Calzaghe being the favorite,especially if the fight is on his turf. But I see it as a very tough fight for Calzaghe and one that he could definitly lose. Especially when taken into account that Joe would be 37 if they ever fought. If Calzaghe were to beat Dawson it would be one of the best wins on his resume. Right with Hopkins and Kessler.

 

No fighter is a proven top world class/elite level fighter until he's proven his chin, and that has nothing to do with what I personally consider or not to mean proven. He is a legit challenger, as is Bute, as is Taylor, etc. No more nor less. He is not the outstanding figure that Kessler was, before Calzaghe fought him, for example. That is why Calzaghe doesn't need to fight Dawson of all people, the way he needed to fight Kessler.

You will give him more respect? How generous of you! He doesn't need it. He is proven; he's done it all, got the icing and cherry on the cake too...that's it!

Talking about respect...Dawson, who has been ducking Diaconu who was a threat to him should stop picking and choosing and prove himself, before calling out proven elite level figters. Otherwise, people will laugh at him a little bit as much as they are laughing at Froch.

 

I don't, not all anyway.

Why would it be a better win than that against Lacy? Lacy isn't as good IN RETROSPECT, but he was more dangerous than Dawson is, and he was more proven.

 

Now the Taylor part I can agree with. That is probably a bigger fight for Calzaghe in terms of marketability. It would also be a tough fight for Joe but I think Taylor is going to be a better style for Calzaghe than Dawson would be. Bute is another good option. Despite what some are saying there are plenty of options out there for Joe. I don't know if he'll pursue them or not but he does have options.

 

Of course he has options! He is one of the biggest draws in boxing, and is considered by many one of the best fighters too! He's unbeate on top of everything else, so everyone wants to beat him! But just because he has options doesn't mean he shouldn't retire. Lennox Lewis had options...he retired. I think he didn't do the wrong thing.

I am happy with Calzaghe fighting on; I don't care about his "0". But he should only fight on if he is able and willing to give his best. He says he isn't...so...why should he continue?? If Dawson was indeed such an outstanding opponent that he absolutely had to face, then, yeah, sure...but as things stand...no, unless he feels he is able and willing to carry on...and he doesn't. He wants to retire!

 

I wasn't quoting, I was pushing your argument (a bit ), trying to figure out why you don't think the fight should happen. I think I'm there now.

Well, Bute barely scraped past Andrade, who was dominated by Kessler, whom Calzaghe beat convincingly. He is also a SMW.

Taylor has lost to Pavlik, who lost to Hopkins, whom Calzaghe beat convincingly. He has a highly controversial win over Tsypko. He is (or used to be) a natural MW, smaller than Bute.

Personally, I would like to see how Joe copes with a guy who is proven (in my book) @LHW. That would be Dawson. And of course, we can debate whether there are any more credible options for Calzaghe than Dawson (I don't think so), but so far I haven't really seen people discuss that...

 

I am not sure if it would become one of his best wins. Dawsom would get reduced to a lacy state of ridicule once he lost to Calzaghe. (I dont think Calzaghe does a Lacy on Dawson performance wise dont get me wrong.
What I mean is I think people would then point to the fact that Dawson beat a very shot tarver and that he 'lost' to Johnson. So Calzaghe beat another sub class fighter.)

At 37 for Calzaghe to win would be a good achievement but then you have to look at how you think Dawson would recover from the loss to enhance Calzaghe's resume. Look at Lacy now.

 

Do you believe that? I have trouble...

But I won't be the first to throw a stone if he retires... He's done a lot, and if he has had enough - then fair play to him and hope he enjoys his retirement.

On the other hand, he is clearly close to his peak. It would be a shame to see him go. He could still have a few good performances in him...