Calzaghe: I'm 100% retiring

[Kris Silver]

Yes. Agreed on the ducking. I'm not sure why you believe Pavlik ducked Abraham and Kessler (two guys who he may face in the coming months - especially Abraham) but what's good for the goose is good for the gander. And if you consider that ducking, you have to consider that Calzaghe ducked Glen Johnson, Roy and others in recent years. Recently on this board, myself and others posted a quote from Joe Calzaghe on June 28, 2003 where he admitted he never wanted to fight Roy. And while Dirk Diggler and other fanatics disputed the veracity of the quote, I can assure you I remember reading it back THEN, shrugging my shoulders and not thinking much of it.

Bottom line is, if Calzaghe retires, he leaves behind a great legacy. Not an all-time great one, but one he can be proud of but leaves us wanting for more.

I believe Pavlik more of what we like to call 'ducking' Abraham and Kessler, for simple reasons. They are natural close weight belt fights for him, unlike Hopkins, and on some of those unlike Calzaghe. Kessler and Abraham also called him out, Pavliks given no response to Kessler, and hasn't really talked that convincingly on Abraham.

These are far more legitimate reasons for ducking than that of Calzaghe, he talked of a few names for his likely last fight, and has chosen one over the other, simple. If he fought on and didn't fight one of those then fair enough. It's also not the same as Johnson, Joe accepted a fight with Johnson, got a hand injury and couldn't train and fight on that date, still wanted it and Johnson wouldn't wait. Calzaghes openly said on his site his injuries have plagued his career and this is one of his biggest regrets resulting from those problems.

On Roy, neither he or Joe really ever said or did anything that significant on each other. To the contrary, the behaviour and words were generally similar or the same. In this thread I've highlighted Joe saying "Roy admitted he didn't want to fight me" too. So it's all pretty similar from both of them, on each other all round there, nothing major. None are quite as legitimate or genuine as the Pavlik situations. I wouldn't talk about that quite so much, if many didn't claim Calzaghe's ducking 10x more then they say as such on Pavlik. Because based on I think quite fair factual assessments above, it's simply not true or at best highly unlikely.

[Da Hammer]

Anyone who calls any of hese guys cowards is a ****ing moron.

If they arent taking the fight for the fear of losing then yes their a ****in coward! I'm not calling either a coward though im just sayin what will happen if they dont have those fights unless they give legitimate reasons. DLH still has time to redeem himself and well i really dont care much about Calzaghe personally although i would love to see him fight Pavlik because fights like these are huge for the sport!

[IMDAZED]

I believe Pavlik more of what we like to call 'ducking' Abraham and Kessler, for simple reasons. They are natural close weight belt fights for him, unlike Hopkins, and on some of those unlike Calzaghe. Kessler and Abraham also called him out, Pavliks given no response to Kessler, and hasn't really talked that convincingly on Abraham.

Yes, they did call him out but...does that mean he's ducking them? If yes, Calzaghe is ducking Pavlik...right? See how that works?

These are far more legitimate reasons for ducking that the that of Calzaghe, he talked of a few names for his likely last fight, and has chosen one over the other, simple. If he fought on and didn't fight one of those then fair enough. It's also not the same as Johnson, Joe accepted a fight with Johnson, got a hand injury and couldn't train and fight on that date, still wanted it and Johnson wouldn't wait. Calzaghes openly said on his site his injuries have plagued his career and this is one of his biggest regrets resulting from those problems.

I'd also add that the pullout wasn't the reason why Johnson moved on. And I'd also add that wasn't the first pullout. You think Glen Johnson turns down fights?? GLEN JOHNSON? Trust me, he was fed up with Calzaghe's antics. Which is why he blasted him a few weeks ago...Calzaghe gave him the run around on the contract and pulled out twice.

On Roy, Roy never really spoke of Joe and Joe did the odd once or twice, and in this thread I've highlighted Joe saying "Roy admitted he didn't want to fight me". So it's all pretty similar from both of them, on each other all round there, nothing major. None are quite as legitimate or genuine as the Pavlik situations.

No...it's not similar. Nothing is similar to "To be honest I never really wanted to fight Roy Jones." And then spend the next two minutes waxing poetic about how great he was. That's WORSE than the Pavlik situation. And Jones not saying anything isn't ducking. Besides, why would he need to say anything when Calzaghe said something like that?

[Kris Silver]

Yes, they did call him out but...does that mean he's ducking them? If yes, Calzaghe is ducking Pavlik...right? See how that works?

No, because Calzaghe didn't quite call Pavlik out recently as if saying I definitely want to fight him at some point, mostly it was he's a possible one I want. Also, this next fight was always likely to be his last. So if a boxer chooses 1 of several opponents then retires as planned, it's hardly fair to say he's ducked anyone whom he left behind whom is un-retired. Complete chalk and cheese.

I'd also add that the pullout wasn't the reason why Johnson moved on. And I'd also add that wasn't the first pullout. You think Glen Johnson turns down fights?? GLEN JOHNSON? Trust me, he was fed up with Calzaghe's antics. Which is why he blasted him a few weeks ago...Calzaghe gave him the run around on the contract and pulled out twice.

Well that's fairly subjective topic area on both our parts, open to interpretations. I don't see why Calzaghe would intentionally do anything to put a big money US name off fighting him once signed, then even saying it's a shame it didn't happen I wish it did. Not one that can be concluded though so best left.

No...it's not similar. Nothing is similar to "To be honest I never really wanted to fight Roy Jones." And then spend the next two minutes waxing poetic about how great he was. That's WORSE than the Pavlik situation. And Jones not saying anything isn't ducking. Besides, why would he need to say anything when Calzaghe said something like that?

Were getting into niggly area's here. For starters I don't take Calzaghe saying "I never wanted to fight Roy" or "Roy admitted he didn't want to fight me" too seriously and don't think anyone should. Their just words that can be psycho analysed all day but not concluded.

Again I think it's odd you previously mentioned Calzaghe as saying on TV he'd fight Roy then saying this. If anything that holds more weight.

Calzaghe probably woulda fought Roy if it didn't mean leaving his belts, fighting guys at LHW for less money, in another country for a possible fight with Roy.

He also said I don't think Pavlik wants to fight me, at the time I think he was right. Pavlik had hardly a clue Arum was looking at putting him in with Calzaghe in the post Lockett conference, so it clearly wasn't something he'd mentioned as something he wanted. A few months later it's apparent he's come round to the idea with few other options, and it being big money. So time's a massive factor in any quote, Joe would not say that now, and not say I never wanted to fight Roy, he's said recently he's wanted to for 6 years. Silly contradictions yes but many make em, look at ODL right now, far worse.

I'm spent and hitting the sack, good debating..

[Dirk Diggler UK]

If he would of fought Benn they would of said Eubank would of beat him,if he would of fought Eubank,Benn would be the "destroyer".Mcclelean and Jones were best friends so I don't think that fight would of happened.I do think he should of fought Dariusz,but once again another name would of took his place.

Jones should use the Calzaghe logic and say "I beat Toney and he is better than all of them"

Why not fight all of them??? Isnt that what boxing is about? Proving you're the best against the best?

Would've been a lot better than some of the cab drivers and policemen he fought.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Yeah. Not to have a go at Dirk as we have had several battles in the past and I have no intention of commencing another but sometimes I think he just sees the British side of the argument and that is all he will consider.

The British side of the argument? Cos Collins, Dariusz and McCllelan are all British........

[Dan...]

Why not fight all of them??? Isnt that what boxing is about? Proving you're the best against the best?

Would've been a lot better than some of the cab drivers and policemen he fought.

Can you name them Dirk? Its funny that you are constantly criticising RJ for the exact same reason that so many criticise the sole reason that you post on these boards.

Whilst I will miss seeing Joe in the ring when he retires I won't miss the disappearance of your ridiculously biased posts.

[BRAVE-HEART]

for a long time and has suffered hand injuries throughout most of it.

....Cod liver oil and omega 3 FTW!

[Silencers]

I don't believe him, it just doesn't make sense.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Can you name them Dirk? Its funny that you are constantly criticising RJ for the exact same reason that so many criticise the sole reason that you post on these boards.

Whilst I will miss seeing Joe in the ring when he retires I won't miss the disappearance of your ridiculously biased posts.

What?! I dont understand that

Richard Frazier was actually a policeman if my memory serves me right. Im sure there was a cab driver but the point remains. There were world class dangerous fighters there during Roy's time at the top but he chose gimmie mandatories and fringe level contenders. Even the staunchest of Jones fans (and Im a Jones fan too) can agree that his competition level wasnt what it could've and should've been.