The big question concerning Pavlik and Calzaghe....

[luv3s2sp00g3]

Let me ask you all a question then,


If Pavlik gets by Hopkins (which I think will happen, but I can guarantee it will go to an ugly decision).

And if Calzaghe gets past RJJ (unless somehow Roy pulls a win out of his ass).



Will Calzaghe give Pavlik a fight? Was all the back and forth **** talking between Calz and Pav just posturing for a future showdown? Or does Calzaghe really not want to fight him? Will he still go ahead and retire?

[abadger]

They're talking about it a hell of a lot, if both get past their respective opponents then pavlik will have just beaten the guy Joe beat at LHW, and it would probably make more than Calz v Jones and be a career best payday for both fighters. I think it will happen.

[Pugilistic™]

I do think Joe will take the fight.

[luv3s2sp00g3]

I honestly don't know. I know you can't believe all the accounts by the fighters/managers/trainers on who ducked who and when, but I just don't see Pavlik as the type of guy to duck anybody. I'm leaning toward believing the Pavlik camp moreso than the Calzaghe camp.

Yet this is weird to me because I honestly think Calzaghe is the better fighter, and I think he'd win if they ever were to fight. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but love and respect for both fighters. I just simply see Calzaghe as having the deeper skillset.

[abadger]

I honestly don't know. I know you can't believe all the accounts by the fighters/managers/trainers on who ducked who and when, but I just don't see Pavlik as the type of guy to duck anybody. I'm leaning toward believing the Pavlik camp moreso than the Calzaghe camp.

Yet this is weird to me because I honestly think Calzaghe is the better fighter, and I think he'd win if they ever were to fight. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but love and respect for both fighters. I just simply see Calzaghe as having the deeper skillset.

The bottom line for me is that in reality its absurd for Pavlik to claim Joe is 'ducking' him, when he is basically a brand new MW champion with a single defence. Joe was in his position years ago and has rightfully asked what Pavlik has done to deserve a shot at him. If Pavlik can get past Hopkins then his case improves dramatically, though I think he will lose to B-Hop.

[luv3s2sp00g3]

They're talking about it a hell of a lot, if both get past their respective opponents then pavlik will have just beaten the guy Joe beat at LHW, and it would probably make more than Calz v Jones and be a career best payday for both fighters. I think it will happen.

See, the only reason I can see of this fight not happening is because Calzaghe comes off to me as a dude that seriously cherishes his 0 more than anything. For some reason he comes off to me as being content just retiring knowing he's never been beaten. And I think retiring unbeaten seems more important to him sometimes than taking a chance at losing and knowing he's fought every worthy opponent.

[Joe2608]

It depends how they win these fights. If Calzaghe knocks Jones out (unlikley, but could happen) he will retire. If he gets a decision over Jones he will probably go for Pavlik. Hopkins has a chance against Pavlik, i'm still picking Pavlik to win but it will be a scrappy fight which could go either way.

[luv3s2sp00g3]

The bottom line for me is that in reality its absurd for Pavlik to claim Joe is 'ducking' him, when he is basically a brand new MW champion with a single defence. Joe was in his position years ago and has rightfully asked what Pavlik has done to deserve a shot at him. If Pavlik can get past Hopkins then his case improves dramatically, though I think he will lose to B-Hop.

Yeah, that might be true that Pavlik is a relatively new champion. But realistically, after Calzaghe beat Kessler, and after Pavlik beat Taylor for the second time, who else was there in SMW? Everyone knew Pavlik was the only real challenge left for Calzaghe, regardless of whether Pavlik was a day old champion or a 10 year champion.

[Silencers]

I doubt it, I think Calzaghe is serious about his retirement, although I'm hoping they will fight.

[abadger]

See, the only reason I can see of this fight not happening is because Calzaghe comes off to me as a dude that seriously cherishes his 0 more than anything. For some reason he comes off to me as being content just retiring knowing he's never been beaten. And I think retiring unbeaten seems more important to him sometimes than taking a chance at losing and knowing he's fought every worthy opponent.

Fair enough. I'm sure Joe does want to retire with his 0 intact. I think its a little harsh to elevate Pavlik to some sort of 'arbiter of greatness' position and claim that Joe is somehow a coward for not fighting him. Like I said, Pavlik is the MW champ of the world and has only beaten one good opponent. I think Calzaghe will feel that he has been there and done that with victories over Lacy and Kessler. There is always another young guy to fight, if Calz beat Pavlik and Dawson beat Tarver the clamour for that fight would start. It seems to me its precisely why retirement is so difficult, you have to go sometime, even though the whole world screams at you not to. Thats why most fighters wind up being retired by boxing, rather than from it. If Calzone really feels he is declining, (which he must if he's talking retirement) then surely the smart thing to do is go through with it?