Why Calzaghe has lots to prove if he wants to be an ATG

[them_apples]

yeah because fighting an unknown Robert Allen who did nothing before or since was worth more that the $2.5 million Calzaghe offered.

You talk some **** at times, you really do.

It's worth it if you don't want to have to go to Wales. If you are hinting at Hopkins ducking Calzaghe, explain to me why Hopkins called him out at the age of 43, when Calzaghe was a big name. It's pretty obvious Hopkins just didn't want to go to Wales.

[Agdistis]

No my friend, not to be accepted, to be widely recognized as an All Time Great of the sport. ATG is only there for a special group of fighters, and if you want to be seen as a member of that group, you need to do all in your power to cement your legacy and prove your total dominance.

In the Thread starters eyes.


But it's subjective. There are many people who already view him as an ATG. I myself don't think he's quite there yet.

[hammerhiem]

If you are hinting at Hopkins ducking Calzaghe

I'm not saying that, i'm conclusively countering the accusation that Calzaghe ducked Hopkins.

I know the way the fight business works, maybe 1 fight in 10 actually gets made because promoters ask for two big a slice of the pie and the risk/reward isn't there.

Hopkin Vs Calzaghe in Wales 04 makes more money than Hopkins vs Allen in Las Vagas in 04, you know it, I know it and the rest of the world knows it.

[them_apples]

I'm not saying that, i'm conclusively countering the accusation that Calzaghe ducked Hopkins.

I know the way the fight business works, maybe 1 fight in 10 actually gets made because promoters ask for two big a slice of the pie and the risk/reward isn't there.

Hopkin Vs Calzaghe in Wales 04 makes more money than Hopkins vs Allen in Las Vagas in 04, you know it, I know it and the rest of the world knows it.

didn't say ducked Hopkins, I am hinting at him being a cheapass and sitting in Wales during his so called "Prime" and not making any big fights. Now he's claiming he's a legend killer. Giving himself ATG status.

[hammerhiem]

didn't say ducked Hopkins

O RLY?

Jones, Hopkins or even Johnson were all legitimate threats at some point, yet he refused to leave smw

Sounds like you're saying he ducked them there.

We agree he's not ATG material why don't we leave it there?

[them_apples]

O RLY? Sounds like you're saying he ducked them there.

We agree he's not ATG material why don't we leave it there?

I am hinting at him being a cheapass and sitting in Wales during his so called "Prime" and not making any big fights.

not directly saying he ducked him, more so playing it safe.

[JJumpUp]

Neither Jones, Calzaghe or Ho'kins actively sought out the biggest challenges when they were in their primes.

Jones had several early monster fights in terms of legacy with Toney and Ho'kins, but Calzaghe and Ho'kins are pure latecomers to the ATG running. They both held onto toy belts for years hoping to sneak in the back door of history, as if history will give a fork about their trinkets!

They all three enjoyed posturing and crowing more than big challenges. I find it rather sickening to watch all three now scrambling for ATG stakes, as if they will again hoodewink history. Are they really interested in legacy at this point when they never seemed to care before, or is it only us they are attempting to hoodwink, once again for the big payday?

For posturing and crowing about the historical nature of his acheivements Calzaghe is the most fraudulent of the three because he avoided the big challenges all the way, and still is content to raid the rest home for opponents, but as for putting on a real fight with some action in it, he was the best of the three throughout.

Ho'kins is notorious for promising an all-action fight next time and then shrinking back into his defense from where he tries to eke out a boring split decision. His squalling about a low blow in the Calzaghe fight was pure fraud, since there was no low blow.

Jones is a cinder. The argument that he and Calzaghe are only a few years apart is quite meaningless. One man is obviously shot and the other fighting near peak. That is what matters, not their chronological ages.

There is no one left for Calzaghe to fight that offers much legacy enhancement. Not because he faced them all. He out-waited them all and let them get old or retire. A fight with Pavlik would have been a huge legacy builder, but he shunned that fight for one reason only--he figured Jones would be easier. And he was wrong, Pavlik would have been as easy. You can bet he is kicking his own arse right now for that cowardly move. His easy victory over Pavlik would have sealed the deal historically, making it twice that he mahandled opponents that were considered dangerous a la the Mike Tyson mode.

Instead Ho'kins got the legacy enhancement of knocking off the young lion.

Dawson is nobody yet, and Calzaghe can and will make that same excuse he made for not fighting Pavlik. Dawson is a decent fighter and has the energy of youth, but he does not carry the aura of a killer which is needed for a mega fight. Calzaghe needs to slay killers not dandys. Dawson is mostly risk and not much reward.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

If Calzaghe really wanted to be considered great why would he not leave Wales? It's common knowledge you must go to the States to fight if you want to be great and get recognized world wide. Instead he makes Hopkins fight in Wales, Hopkins says **** it.

No actually the fight was to be in America and Hopkins was to be paid $3m - incidentally the same purse he got for Pavlik - his highest at the the time.

Hopkins said yes.

Then he thought twice about it and said "**** it".

Try not to leave out important details even though I know its in your nature to do so. Thanks.

[Pullcounter]

He makes the excuse that he fought all the prime up and coming fighters already. This is a delusion he makes his fans believe.

Jones, Hopkins or even Johnson were all legitimate threats at some point, yet he refused to leave smw and only went after some easy but young fighters. Lacy was not the best of his generation, Kessler has still to prove he's great. So now he fights Jones thinking he deserves it, but Jones is completely shot.

His only solid win is that of Hopkins, although he's 43, he's still decent. Only problem is, the fight could have gone both ways - I'd pick Hopkins winning the rematch. Hopkins called Calzaghe out at 43....that took way more balls in itself.

Calzaghe still needs to beat a slew of Prime young fighters to be considered great.

if he moves up to HW and defeats one of the klitscho's that'd make him an ATG.

[Pullcounter]

Neither Jones, Calzaghe or Ho'kins actively sought out the biggest challenges when they were in their primes.

nah, rjj won a HW belt. hopkins fought tito.