The reason for Calzaghe's retirement

I have no agenda; I just have a dislike of both the haters and the huggers of this particular boxer. He seems to be underated and overated in equal measure as far as i can see. It is hard to find a middle ground.

However, I feel that I am pretty unbiased when it comes to Joe; I think that I see his weakness and strengths.

As far as a second fight between Calzaghe and Hopkins is concerned I see a few problems for Bernard, which go back to the first fight: (1) Speed of punch, (2) Volume of punches (ie: workrate) and (3) Stamina.

Against Pavlik, Bernard was able to dictate the fight as far as these three components are concerned - (1) he has a faster punch delivery than Pavlik, (2) Pavlik favours a one-two punch approach which is different than Calzaghe's swarming blows (slaps if you like)and is easier to deal with, and (3) He could dictate the flow of the fight and keep Pavilk "honest" by delivering precise and hurtful blows at appropriate times, thereby conserving his own stamina.

BTW I thought that Hopkins fought in flurries against Pavlik; it was not non-stop action for the full twelve. The flurries approach would not work against Calzaghe.


In a second fight between Hopkins and Calzaghe I feel that speed is the key; Sure, Hopkins can catch Calzaghe (he put him down in the first fight) but Calzaghe's speed of punch will allow him to land more and dictate the pace of the bout overall; Hopkins is the better boxer but Calzaghe beats him on speed and workrate at this stage; Similar to the first fight Hopkins will probably lead early, but will wilt later on; he may go into his shell around round 9 or 10, letting Calzaghe pick up the crucial championship rounds for the UD.

Thats just my opinion.

Do you think Bernard could win a rematch? If so, why did he tire so badly in the first match, ostensibly throwing the fight away down the stretch?

 

It's a crying shame, really.

 

Beating Hopkins again would prove more than refusing a rematch. Would you love to believe that?

 

I wish I could disagree, but the fact is that Calzaghe wants nothing to do with Hopkins. The worst night of Calzaghe's entire career came against a 43 year old, and seeing Hopkins **** up Pavlik didn't help matters any. Calzaghe had to either rematch or retire, and he chose the latter.

 

Yes.

Calzaghe barely squeezed by in the first one, garnering only a Split Decision. Now Hopkins has shown his worth again by wrecking Pavlik, and a rematch with Calzaghe is a no-brainer. Except that Calzaghe has retired.

 

Nazim Richardson, the X-Factor.

 

At this stage the reward is way to little for the risk he'll be taking fighting Hopkins, Dawson or even Taylor at this point.

 

Calzaghe never did rematches, he's known for saying it. Especially after the attitude Hopkins had, the 'white boy' comment and the post fight talk. I put Froch/Dawson ahead of Hopkins in priority due because I believe they'd be better fights. Maybe if Hopkins had been a little more humble and accepting of defeat Joe would have at least entertained the idea, Hopkins attitude threw any possibility out the window.

 

Nazim Richardson was in Hopkins corner for the Calzaghe fight.

As for Hopkins miracle stamina and punch output against Pavlik it comes down to this:-

Pavlik whether people like it or not is one dimensional, his punches(jab in particular) lack snap and as ive said before he is too green for a fighter of Bernards calibre. Hopkins and his team saw this. Also after 3 rounds Hopkins had beaten Kelly mentally.

Against Calzaghe Hopkins wasnt able to bully Joe, and he couldnt set a pace because he knew Calzaghe has the better tank. Also Calzaghe was able to change his tactics mid fight and he had Hopkins missing.

People dont let the Pavlik fight fool you, yes it was a very good win for Hopkins but it was also a very well selected fight for Bernard.


As for Calzaghes retirement i think he deserves it and hopefully he will stay retired, too many fighters go on nowadays and end up ruining themselves and their legacy.

 

If Hopkins wanted 2 fights with calzaghe then maybe he shouldnt have RAN from the 1st years ago, or wait sorry it was ok for him because it was a high risk/low reward fight.... I think both are great fighters and both will be remebered as ATG but i just cant stand the childish pathetic posting of some haters in any calzaghe thread. Joe doesnt travel far abroad and is flamed for it, Hopkins and Jones ect dont travel far abroad and they forgiven because they TRUE champions. Hopkins ducks Joe and he forgiven because h a TRUE champion, Joe ducks Hopkins and hes a coward, Hopkins destroys an up and coming threat in Pavlik and is regarded as the 2nd coming, Joe does it and is told Lacy was clearly a hype job (even though 99% of world said Lacy was next Tyson).
Aside from all that i think a rematch would be 100% unpredictable, neither Joe or Hopkins would fight like they did in the 1st because both saw how it wasnt effective. So we could end up with another boring fight or a great fight that could go either way. To say its clear that Joe or Hopkins would Destroy the other easy is just idiocy of the greatest level.

 

lack of heart

 

I agree but you know as well as i do there is always going to be someone else.....I doont think Chad could beat him right now but hey stranger things have happened

 

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We will miss Joe Calzaghe. Whether you like it or not, he contributed in his own way for the advancement of boxing.

 

hes right there are no huge marquee fights out there for him,he made the right choice.