Calzaghe to seal his legacy against another old fighter?

[Dunky McCafferty]

I cant believe it. Fresh after his 'finest' win against a 43 year old Hopkins, its being reported Calzaghe is looking to seal his 'greatness' by fighting Roy Jones jnr, another fighter who will be in his 40's by then.
My goodness, Im almost left speechless. Calzaghe is going to go down as a legend for beating the best american fighters cos he simply has outlived them.

Calzaghe is a fine fighter, I have no qualms with that. However, all this "he beat Hopkins & now hes after Jones" stuff makes me nod my head in shame as a true boxing fan. Its an insult to my intelligence that I am supposed to see Joe Calzaghe as the king of kings if he manages to beat two former legends who are in their forties.
I know my opinion isnt going to go down well among my fellow posters here, but I cannot hold back. 43 year old Hopkins followed by 40 year old Jones? Eubank & Benn were ducking these guys back in the day, & look how long they have been retired. & now Calzaghe is putting these names on his record like hes achieving greatness. Sorry, but I dont fall for it. Not for one minute.

[LiamE]

Calzaghe's legacy got sealed tonight. End of story.

Even if he now goes on to lose a fight or he never fights again he will be remembered. He's won at 2 weights, fought in the USA, held a belt for a decade. He's beaten young guns in Lacy and Kessler, and wiley gits like Eubank and Hopkins... Hopkins though 43 still world class and top ten P4P material I might add.

No his record will never look as good as RJJ or SRL or guys like that but there is no longer any question marks over him at all.

[LiamE]

Eubank & Benn were ducking these guys back in the day

Priceless.

Eubank was never a ducker - but he always valued his heath and wanted to be paid well to put it the line which I think is fair enough.

Benn would have fought em in their living room for free given half a chance.

[Dunky McCafferty]

Calzaghe's legacy got sealed tonight. End of story.

Even if he now goes on to lose a fight or he never fights again he will be remembered. He's won at 2 weights, fought in the USA, held a belt for a decade. He's beaten young guns in Lacy and Kessler, and wiley gits like Eubank and Hopkins... Hopkins though 43 still world class and top ten P4P material I might add.

No his record will never look as good as RJJ or SRL or guys like that but there is no longer any question marks over him at all.

You forgot to mention how much weight Eubank had to burn off to fight Calzaghe, when Eubank, like Hopkins was WAY past his best.

Calzaghe has got good names on his resume, but please dont insult my intelligence by claiming that Eubank & Hopkins were anything but past their sell by date.
No offence, but Im an old hand here. I know what Im talking about.

[Smazz20]

No way in hell did Benn duck Jones.

[dwilson]

Calzaghe has sealed his place in boxing history as an ATG and maybe a top five British great. A big money fight against RJJ would be good for him financially.

But RJJ is not the force he once was. He is still maybe the hardest fight he can get after Tarver and Dawson who do not strike fear into anyones heart.

I think he should go for RJJ, the fight would be easy to make now.

[MrSmall]

Benn would have gone at it at the drop of a hat.

[LiamE]

You forgot to mention how much weight Eubank had to burn off to fight Calzaghe, when Eubank, like Hopkins was WAY past his best..

He was preparing to fight at lightheavy and fought at SMW instead. Big deal. Eubank always cut it fine and late with the weight. He was in good shape against Joe and lasted 12 well. Eubank may not have been at his peak but the Thompson fights showed he had a hell of a lot left.

Calzaghe has got good names on his resume, but please dont insult my intelligence by claiming that Eubank & Hopkins were anything but past their sell by date.
No offence, but Im an old hand here. I know what Im talking about.

No offence taken or meant, but in the same way that Hopkins at 43 is probably not at his best, Joe at 37 is getting on a fair bit too. I saw no sudden deterioration in Hopkins - frankly its the best performance by someone his age I've ever seen. He is the modern day Archie Moore. Even at 43 Hopkins is world class and worthy of his top 10 p4p rating. Beating him is no small achievement. Had that been any other LHW in the world in there tonight instead of Joe Hops would have won.

Joe picked himself up off the deck and took the fight to the most awkward fighter of the last 15 years. He adapted and overcame Bernards style and tactics. That IS an important win.

[dwilson]

Hopkins was the biggest threat at Light Heavy. No other fighter comes close. JC beat him.#


Lacy was the biggest threat at SMW then JC humiliated him.


Kessler was claimed to be the real deal, then JC beat him.


Add to that all the other good wins over Calzaghes career and you get one of the greatest fighters ever to come from these shores and one of the best pound for pound on the planet. Just because you are head and shouldrs better than those around you does not mean you should not get full credit.

[kurt2006]

He going to fight Bruno next.

[robpalmer135]

Pavlik has his next 2-3 fights already set up. Lockett - Abraham - Duddy - Trinidiad

Calzaghe knows the fight cannot get made.

[Beatboxer]

Hopkins was the biggest threat at Light Heavy. No other fighter comes close. JC beat him.#


Lacy was the biggest threat at SMW then JC humiliated him.


Kessler was claimed to be the real deal, then JC beat him.


Add to that all the other good wins over Calzaghes career and you get one of the greatest fighters ever to come from these shores and one of the best pound for pound on the planet. Just because you are head and shouldrs better than those around you does not mean you should not get full credit.

Yup. Ill be back later to give more thoughts on the fight and what it means legacy wise for Calzaghe. Unfortunatly I have to go to work till 6.

[brown_bomber]

what legacy apart from beating kessler, beating a 43 year old man and a little boy from the contender :D

[Claypole]

Before this fight people were harping on about how Hopkins is amazing for his age, and is still one of the best fighters in the world. Now, all of a sudden he gets beat by Calzaghe and people start bringing the age thing into it, trying to detract from Joe's great win.
Who should Joe have fought instead of Hopkins? I was under the impression that he was the top guy at light heavy.

[dan-b]

Before this fight people were harping on about how Hopkins is amazing for his age, and is still one of the best fighters in the world. Now, all of a sudden he gets beat by Calzaghe and people start bringing the age thing into it, trying to detract from Joe's great win.
Who should Joe have fought instead of Hopkins? I was under the impression that he was the top guy at light heavy.

I'm not I just think Hopkins won. No doubt he'll go on to KO a past it Jones & we'll all be told he's the best British fighter ever & an ATG.

[Snorkel]

Before this fight people were harping on about how Hopkins is amazing for his age, and is still one of the best fighters in the world. Now, all of a sudden he gets beat by Calzaghe and people start bringing the age thing into it, trying to detract from Joe's great win.
Who should Joe have fought instead of Hopkins? I was under the impression that he was the top guy at light heavy.

It was always going to happen, though. Just like Lacy went from being 'The Next Tyson' to a bum that nobody ever rated anyway after Joe had his way with him. Similarly, Kessler's now a one dimensional joker with no heart.

He was never going to come out with much credit from some quarters after this fight, win or lose.

[kurt2006]

what legacy apart from beating kessler, beating a 43 year old man and a little boy from the contender :D

Likewise with Bhops, apart from beating blown up lightweights he has beaten nobodies.

[Olu G. Rotimi]

Calzaghe was given a gift decision. He clearly lost the fight and he has limitations. I knew he would be put on the canvas and messed around by by B-HOP. The only mistake B-HOP was not to stop Calzaghe.

[Snorkel]

Calzaghe was given a gift decision. He clearly lost the fight and he has limitations. I knew he would be put on the canvas and messed around by by B-HOP. The only mistake B-HOP was not to stop Calzaghe.

Hardly a mistake, I don't think he would've intentionally let it go to the judges if he could've avoided it.

[dan-b]

Calzaghe Jones is a joke fight. Roy was KO'd by Tarver & Johnson over three years ago. I think they "killed the legend" in that instance.

[kurt2006]

Calzaghe Jones is a joke fight. Roy was KO'd by Tarver & Johnson over three years ago. I think they "killed the legend" in that instance.

Similar to bhops beating ODH, Trinidad, SSM etc etc.

[dan-b]

Similar to bhops beating ODH, Trinidad, SSM etc etc.

I didn't realise ODH & Trinidad were way past their prime & had been knocked out twice prior to them meeting.

[TFFP]

Jones means nothing. I predicted this a long time ago, it's just a big money making exercise and an easy farewell for Joe

I can see why Joe would do it. He doesn't need to be fighting any more young contenders, he did that with Lacy and Kessler, and look how he gets discredited. Might as well make as much money as possible

[JonOli]

Priceless.

Eubank was never a ducker - but he always valued his heath and wanted to be paid well to put it the line which I think is fair enough.

Benn would have fought em in their living room for free given half a chance.

Eubank has openly admited that he ducked these guys.

[kurt2006]

I didn't realise ODH & Trinidad were way past their prime & had been knocked out twice prior to them meeting.

Not natural middleweights were they sunshine :lol:

[dan-b]

Not natural middleweights were they sunshine :lol:

That wasn't the argument you were originally making? It's okay for you to keep stalking me though. People tend to get obsessed with me, I'm used to it.

[LiamE]

Eubank has openly admited that he ducked these guys.

No he open admitted there wasn't enough money on offer if I remember correctly.

Why the hell would a guy that fough peak Benn twice duck anyone?

[Govanmauler]

Calzaghe is no longer at his peak either though. Calz and RJJ are of the same "generation" of fighters so I think its a fair(ish) fight to have as his last.

[Govanmauler]

No he open admitted there wasn't enough money on offer if I remember correctly.

Why the hell would a guy that fough peak Benn twice duck anyone?

Thats a damn fine point ! :lol:

[2fatandslow]

I hear Mickey Rourke is coming out of his boxing exodus,then joe can really cement his dodgy legacy!

[mattress]

Calzaghe was given a gift decision. He clearly lost the fight and he has limitations. I knew he would be put on the canvas and messed around by by B-HOP. The only mistake B-HOP was not to stop Calzaghe.

I got the number of a good psychiatrist...if you want it. I suggest you ring him, soon.

[jc]

Calzaghe is a great fighter with or without Hopkins' name or even his belt. but the fact he has secured both Bernard Hopkins' name on the record aswel as his Ring light heavyweight belt, cements it.

Seems like the Scot has a bit of a chip on his shoulder when it comes to Joe Calzaghe. Probably as he is a fighter whose achievments out weight anything of any Scottish fighter ever...

[Dunky McCafferty]

Seems like the Scot has a bit of a chip on his shoulder when it comes to Joe Calzaghe...

nah. Its Ricky Hatton who chips on my shoulder.

Calzaghes a cracking fighter. I admitted that before the Hopkins fight. My posts are all there in my archive. Im a huge fan of Hopkins, so it took lot for me to admit Joe was going to win. However, im not letting all the triumphalism going on here & Joe talking about being a legend killer cloud my judgement.

It was a 43 year old Hopkins he beat, & even so he had a major struggle & many thought Hopkins won.
Now hes finishing his career off against Jones, a past it 40 year old. I just dont like it. Im allowed to not like things, arent I?

As for you welsh(Im assuming your welsh) enjoy Joes victory & shout it from the rooftops. & I mean that. If I was welsh, I would be doing the same.
Im not going to go easy on the Joe bandwagon jumpers though. I have said it till Im blue in the face, but apart from the welsh, Joe didnt have 5 fans on the whole of Eastside. I remember it well. Now hes winning the big fights though its a big Joe orgy, with former haters & mysterious noobs now sucking in all the glory like they own the place.

I hate Calzaghe bandwagon jumpers. Cos Im a loyal cunt who sticks to his guns. As for the Calzaghe doing better than any scot thing you threw in my face? Joes had a great career. I have no problem with that. If people think hes better than all the scots, fair enough! Joes a friend of Alex arthur, & Im hoping he comes to Scotland to cheer Alex on, that would give the arena a huge lift, & Arthur himself.
Just cos Im moaning about how Joes ending his career, doesnt mean I dont respect his achievements. I dont know why your bothering with me anyway, you should go back to the big Joe love-in thats going on in all the other threads.

Dont let little 'ol me spoil the party!

[TheChamp1000]

nah. Its Ricky Hatton who chips on my shoulder.

Calzaghes a cracking fighter. I admitted that before the Hopkins fight. My posts are all there in my archive. Im a huge fan of Hopkins, so it took lot for me to admit Joe was going to win. However, im not letting all the triumphalism going on here & Joe talking about being a legend killer cloud my judgement.

It was a 43 year old Hopkins he beat, & even so he had a major struggle & many thought Hopkins won.
Now hes finishing his career off against Jones, a past it 40 year old. I just dont like it. Im allowed to not like things, arent I?

As for you welsh(Im assuming your welsh) enjoy Joes victory & shout it from the rooftops. & I mean that. If I was welsh, I would be doing the same.
Im not going to go easy on the Joe bandwagon jumpers though. I have said it till Im blue in the face, but apart from the welsh, Joe didnt have 5 fans on the whole of Eastside. I remember it well. Now hes winning the big fights though its a big Joe orgy, with former haters & mysterious noobs now sucking in all the glory like they own the place.

I hate Calzaghe bandwagon jumpers. Cos Im a loyal cunt who sticks to his guns. As for the Calzaghe doing better than any scot thing you threw in my face? Joes had a great career. I have no problem with that. If people think hes better than all the scots, fair enough! Joes a friend of Alex arthur, & Im hoping he comes to Scotland to cheer Alex on, that would give the arena a huge lift, & Arthur himself.
Just cos Im moaning about how Joes ending his career, doesnt mean I dont respect his achievements. I dont know why your bothering with me anyway, you should go back to the big Joe love-in thats going on in all the other threads.

Dont let little 'ol me spoil the party!

I am not sure Dunky, Jones on your record is pretty good. We all know its not primes etc but look at b-hop rolling the names off his record in the press conference, trinidad, DLH, Tarver, winky, he fought jones and taylor also.
If Joes got a comprehensive win / ko against jones although both past primes it does a lot for his record.
Last 3 year Lacy, Kessler, Hopkins, Jones
if he added pavlik/dawson it would look pretty impressive from a guy just past his peak.

If he only has 1 left I would take jones with pavlik just behind. (remember if joe whoops pavlik then pavlik is overrated like lacy)

[JonOli]

No he open admitted there wasn't enough money on offer if I remember correctly.

Why the hell would a guy that fough peak Benn twice duck anyone?

Yes Eubank did duck the big Americans at the time and is very candid about it.

As far as your Ben comment goes, as much as I like him, are you seriosly putting him in the same bracket as prime RJJ?

Benn lost to Malinga who Roy destroyed.

[Dunky McCafferty]

I am not sure Dunky, Jones on your record is pretty good. We all know its not primes etc but look at b-hop rolling the names off his record in the press conference, trinidad, DLH, Tarver, winky, he fought jones and taylor also.
If Joes got a comprehensive win / ko against jones although both past primes it does a lot for his record.
Last 3 year Lacy, Kessler, Hopkins, Jones
if he added pavlik/dawson it would look pretty impressive from a guy just past his peak.

If he only has 1 left I would take jones with pavlik just behind. (remember if joe whoops pavlik then pavlik is overrated like lacy)

Oh yeah, I like RJJ. fighters from my era when I was growing up as a boxing fan, its easy to get nostalgic & misty eyed when you think of these guys. I nearly did it with Hopkins, originally predicting he would beat JC until a friend of mine who knows more about the noble art than me told me that my weakness was letting my heart rule my head. So Im being colder & more analytical now, thats why I changed my prediction on ESB to a JC win when he fought Hopkins.

& thats why Im saying JC will beat RJJ. When fighters are past 40 years old, then you have to forget what these guys did in the past, & class them as shells of the fighters they once were. Well in my new book anyway.
When you have a proud prediction record like mine here, you have to make sure you keep it intact. & thats what Im doing now. ****** has engineered Calzaghes winding down so perfectly, I have to take my hat off to him.

Man, ****** even knew the result of the fight before it was announced! So its all been orchestrated nicely for Joes farewell fight. IMO.

[Dunky McCafferty]

Yes Eubank did duck the big Americans at the time and is very candid about it.

As far as your Ben comment goes, as much as I like him, are you seriosly putting him in the same bracket as prime RJJ?

Benn lost to Malinga who Roy destroyed.

That fight made me laugh, mainly because when Malinga got Ko'd he tried to make out it was a slip:lol: He was a proud man was Malinga, but that was taking things a bit too far!