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Every great fighter has unrelenting detractors. In Jone's prime, he was UNBEATABLE! I really wish he would of retired after Ruiz, but it was not to be so. Even at that point, Jones had harsh critics for what they believed to be Jones's lack of quality opposition, despite Roy beating BHop, undefeated James Toney, Olympic silver medalist Virgil Hill, undefeated Montell Griffin, Reggie Johnson, WBA Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz, Clinton Woods, Mike McCallum, undefeated Bryant Brannon, undefeated Eric Harding, undefeated Julio Caesar Gonzalez, etc. No matter what he did, it was not good enough for the haters.
As much as it pains me to see Joe Calzaghe beat my favorite two fighters in the later stages of their careers (even if I scored the Bhop match for Hopkins, it goes down in the books as a 'W' for the Italian Dragon), it seems that the same ridiculous, unattainable standards are now being imposed on Calzaghe. I think the man has proven his greatness.
I personally think that if Joe retired now, he would eventually be considered an ATG by most boxing writers/critics. If he wasn't considered one immediately upon retiring, after a couple years of letting his resume marinate, people would change their minds (much like how in the years following Lennox's retirement, his absence in what became a faceless heavyweight division allowed his accomplishments to snowball in a way that was favorable to his legacy).
So, Joe can now retire, or choose to fight on. At this point, there are still some quality, fights that are on the table for Joe that could even further augment his legacy. They could also hurt it if he were to lose, but this risk factor is what makes these fights potentially huge for his legacy, if he were to win.
A convincing victory over BHop, something that Joe nor anybody else has EVER achieved, would do wonders for erasing those last hints of doubt around his amazing career. Beating the undefeated Chad Dawson would see Calzaghe taking the 0 of yet another hot, young prospect that stands in his way of utter dominance in a new division. Now Winky Wright has called Joe out. He is yet another American legend (if you ask me anyway), a bona fide HOF'er and another amazing name for Joe's resume. If Joe were to tackle one, two, or all three of these formidable foes and win, would the people denouncing Joe's skill finally give him credit?!? I think if he were to take the riskier road, it would put Joe in a position to be considered a serious ATG, top 20 perhaps if he were to beat these threats to his legacy.... your thoughts?
As much as it pains me to see Joe Calzaghe beat my favorite two fighters in the later stages of their careers (even if I scored the Bhop match for Hopkins, it goes down in the books as a 'W' for the Italian Dragon), it seems that the same ridiculous, unattainable standards are now being imposed on Calzaghe. I think the man has proven his greatness.
I personally think that if Joe retired now, he would eventually be considered an ATG by most boxing writers/critics. If he wasn't considered one immediately upon retiring, after a couple years of letting his resume marinate, people would change their minds (much like how in the years following Lennox's retirement, his absence in what became a faceless heavyweight division allowed his accomplishments to snowball in a way that was favorable to his legacy).
So, Joe can now retire, or choose to fight on. At this point, there are still some quality, fights that are on the table for Joe that could even further augment his legacy. They could also hurt it if he were to lose, but this risk factor is what makes these fights potentially huge for his legacy, if he were to win.
A convincing victory over BHop, something that Joe nor anybody else has EVER achieved, would do wonders for erasing those last hints of doubt around his amazing career. Beating the undefeated Chad Dawson would see Calzaghe taking the 0 of yet another hot, young prospect that stands in his way of utter dominance in a new division. Now Winky Wright has called Joe out. He is yet another American legend (if you ask me anyway), a bona fide HOF'er and another amazing name for Joe's resume. If Joe were to tackle one, two, or all three of these formidable foes and win, would the people denouncing Joe's skill finally give him credit?!? I think if he were to take the riskier road, it would put Joe in a position to be considered a serious ATG, top 20 perhaps if he were to beat these threats to his legacy.... your thoughts?
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