By Chris LaBate
WBC light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins believes Joe Calzaghe has stayed retired to avoid a possible rematch between the two of them. Calzaghe won a close decision over Hopkins in April of 2008. The Welsh star officially retired in early 2009. According to Hopkins, Calzaghe retired to avoid a possible rematch and he doesn't expect him to return to the sport because of the same reason. Calzaghe doesn't have any interest in returning for a Hopkins rematch.
“Joe retired because the world wanted to see a rematch and he didn’t want one,” said Hopkins, according to Wales Online. “It was a controversial split decision. When those things happen and the media feels it’s legit, then why not fight again? Clear it up."
“When you have that type of controversy, you need to fight again. The thought of fighting Bernard a second time was too great a weight for Joe to bear. Joe probably thought he could come back after a year or so and I’d be long gone, but I’m still here so he’s still retired.”
