I've suggested that fight a few times and every time, folks don't seem to take it seriously. But forget the catchweight bit. Lights out could never make it. Just leave the weight open. Each man can come in at any weight they please. I expect Calzaghe would beat Toney. IMO, Bernard would too.
He stands to gain: 1. A farewell fight near home, which will draw a tremendous farewell crowd 2. Big payday 3. A chance to put any doubt to rest over someone he recently had a closely contested SD victory against. :good And Joe does seem to care about legacy. But you're right, he officially has the "W" and in that sense there's no need for him to do this.
It is simple, and if you remember... I have said this since BEFORE Tarver vs Jones I. Roy's opponents used to all play into his game. They basically acted like sparring partners in the ring, and allowed Jones to pot shot all night long as they posed down with him in the center of the ring. I told EVERYONE that Tarver was so amped up to fight Roy, that he was going to Roy's first true test since James Toney. Tarver exploited the fact that in order to beat Jones, and make him about 80% less effective... all you have to do is punch when he punches. If you bring the fight to Roy, punch with him, stay on top of him... he is very ordinary. Had Joe Calzaghe stood in the center of the ring, stood straight up and down, and allowed Roy to pot shot all night long, it would have looked like you were watching Roy 7 years ago. Tarver layed the blueprint about punching when Roy punches... and Glen Johnson followed it to a tee. Calzaghe took it to an entirely different level, and even mixed up beating Roy at his own game on top of it. It isn't Roy's mentality. It's the fact that after people saw Roy get knocked out by Tarver, they never showed him the same respect in the ring again. Once Roy's opponents stopped showing him too much respect.... we have seen the results.
The people who stated that Joe would have got knocked out 10 years ago if he'd fought like he did tonight are spot-on, that much is obvious. However, since he wouldn't have fought like that 10 years ago, the point is moot. Back then, he knocked people out because his hands weren't brittle. Also, he was even faster, and had even more stamina. In addition, Joe would know not to take the **** like that with a prime RJJ, because he's not an idiot with a death wish. JC would have done exactly what he did tonight - figured out his opponent on the fly, nullified his strengths and kept him off his gameplan (exactly how, I don't know - but that's not a surprise since I don't have the ability or boxing brain of Calzaghe). I don't think Jones or Hopkins would have had an easy time fighting Joe even way back when, but I am a mere observer, and since I have never boxed professionally myself, this is all mere conjecture. Just like most of the posts made on this forum stating that RJJ would have owned JC like it's a fact corroborated with any evidence whatsoever.
The only chance Dawson would have is if Joe lost it between now and the fight, which could happen. Joe's workrate is too high, and Chad is open to being hit and takes too many breaks during fights. He can not keep up with Joe, and doesn't hit hard enough to stop Joe. Dawson would have his moments, I'm sure (he is taller and longer, and very fast), but Joe would overwhelm him the same way he has the rest of his foes. I hope the fight gets made. The Roy that was shut down tonight is the same guy who came on in the second half of the Trinidad fight. Clearly he is not close to what he once was, but Joe had a lot to do with how poor Roy looked tonight, just as Joe had a lot to do with how bad BHop looked from about Round 5 on in their match. Just ask Kelly Pavlik.
I am not too interested in that fight. I don't see anything for Joe to gain. The money wouldn't be too big... not bigger than taking another big fight out there against someone who he hasn't beat yet. There is always going to be another challenge out there. Personally... I would rather see Calzaghe retire. What a perfect ending to his career. The man called out Calzaghe and Jones as long as I could remember. Was critized for fighting in his own backyard. He always promised that he would fight any of them in America, if they would agree to fight him. He completely dominates two undefeated champions in his division... then comes to America and beats Hopkins and Jones Jr. Just an amazing storybook ending, and undefeated to boot.
Calzaghe has said he was going to retire. He has repeated that many times. He is a great fighter, but some will never give him credit.
:| hes a great fighter but i just dont like how hes semi prime and his two best are future all of famers that he fought passed there prime ! it just was not the best roy jones he beat and he knows that and i do and you do to.:barf
yup! GREAT win! he can retire coz there is NO MORE 39 YR OLDS and 43 YR OLDS great BOXERS around. Most of them are in their 20's and that is dangerous for CALzaghe