A win against Hopkins now will not cement anything, not even Joe's financial situation - Hopkins would sell his skin very dearly. The people who would be impressed most if Joe beat Hopkins, rather than anyone else, are, in my opinion, the kind of people who are likely to be very impressed by a HW who beats Valuev, for example. The same kind of people who thought Joe should fight Taylor rather than Kessler...I am a newbie, but even I know better. I am sorry if I sound arrogant or have offended anyone. I might, of course, be wrong...
It sure didn't hurt Lewis' legacy to have a KO over an old Tyson did it? How about Golota or McCall who both folded against Lewis like lawn chairs. History doesn't really mention that Golota was a head case or that Oliver was straight outta the crack house. Not to argue but for name value alone B-Hop brings the money & the legacy points not to mention it's a very winnable fight. If Hopkins prices himself out then Pavlik, Bute or Dawson would do just fine.
Calzage deserves a payday vs Hopkins, why make him fight the young lions that he could proberly beat, I say BHop
for me - two fights left, he fights bhop now - when bhop really cant avoid him without losing all credibility - he gets a big pay day and becomes ring champ. then if dawson is still the real deal - he fights dawson - hopefully if he wins and comes out of it all as two weight champ - undefeated. i think he p4p top 100 is in great standing - might have taken 10 years or so - but he'd have a pretty good resume at the end.
Dawson. He's the only real threat IMO. If Calzaghe can own Dawson like he did Lacy and Kessler, IMO no one can deny he is one of the greatest fighters of this generation.
Just on a sidenote: Calzaghe has already earned the IBF belt and he's never lost it inside the ring. I don't see why he should fight Bute. I say let it be B-Hop. He deserves the paycheck.
He's moving up to LHW so it will probably be Hopkins http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7077707.stm R.I.P X
Let Joe get his big payday with BHop. should be an interesting technical boxing match. Now Kessler - Pavlik, that would be a FIGHT!!!!!!!!
Calzaghe-Hopkins=BORING. 1 geezer beating an older geezer when their not hugging who gives a ****? I'd rather watch Tyson get outa jail to eat both of their children.