Zag's ain't a *****. But Dawson would beat him...

[Check]

Didn't see this thread. I agree with ya, Pea.

[Sweet Pea 50]

Yeah, and the fact that Hopkins had already beaten Dawson's last two opponents...let's not mention that.

I like Calzaghe and Dawson. I would cheer for these guys against anyone at 175+

It's a shame that if they do fight, it seems as if the forum will be split into 'Calzaghe is ****, Dawson will destroy him' vs 'Dawson is ****, Calzaghe will destroy him', rather than something a bit more sensible.

Virtually every thread on here is just two or more nuthuggers who refuse to listen to valid criticism or logic arguing with one another.

Best post in this thread.......

[S.G.]

from what i've seen of Dawson, he has all the physical attributes to give Calzaghe trouble and decent boxing skills, but he isn't particularly good mentally

maybe he's still green or whatever, but Calzaghe would completely outsmart him and work him over... it'd be the Kessler fight all over again

[IMDAZED]

Yeah, so? Then he got up and won the fight by a massive margin. The dude was the dirtiest fighter he ever fought except maybe Bika, and he handled his ass too.

Hopkins was put down twice by Mercado. I suppose Hopkins is **** now too?

In fact anyone who ever got a flash KD is obviously ****.

It all makes sense!

Your own words betray you. No Bernard Hopkins is not **** and neither is Chad Dawson for toughing it out against an infinitely stiffer challenge than Segundo Mercado.

You want to say Calzaghe wins easy, cool. Nothing wrong with that. But why are there a select group of people who are eager to rush Calzaghe into retirement rather than watch a match-up between the two best light heavyweights in the world? Funny, these same people weren't saying that about the Jones fight although they're predictions of an easy win for Joe are the same thing they're spouting now. And Dawson is much more deserving.

As real boxing fans, what do we want? An undefeated pound for pounder to retire or to face a young, proven champ who's resume this early in his career already surpasses Calzaghe's at a similar stage?

I'm not sure if Dawson beats Hopkins or Calzaghe but I do know that he may be too much risk for fighters who are more about business. And that's where Calzaghe's at. But if Calzaghe wants business, Dawson makes the most sense. It's a fight we'd all want to see (I think) and for those who want to pretend Dawson's a nobody and Calzaghe's a superduperstar, please refer to the "superstar" sales of Calzaghe-Jones, the mediocre returns on Calzaghe-Hopkins and the lowest HBO viewer ratings for boxing in its history (Calzaghe-Kessler). Then note the HBO announcer asking Calzaghe immediately following the Jones fight whether he would fight Dawson. Then remind yourself who was negotiating on Dawson's behalf with Mikkel Kessler's team?

They're offering Hopkins again or Dawson and I guarantee the numbers won't be too different. Joe's already ruled out Hopkins and seems to want to take a little furlough. HBO is trying to get Dawson a "name" fight where he can stake his claim as the most worthy challenger. Neither are superstars but they really don't have too many other places to go (well Joe doesn't, anyway). I agree with Clegg 100%. This is an incredible match-up and an incredible opportunity for Joe. I hope he takes it.

[Sweet Pea 50]

Your own words betray you. No Bernard Hopkins is not **** and neither is Chad Dawson for toughing it out against an infinitely stiffer challenge than Segundo Mercado.

You want to say Calzaghe wins easy, cool. Nothing wrong with that. But why are there a select group of people who are eager to rush Calzaghe into retirement rather than watch a match-up between the two best light heavyweights in the world? Funny, these same people weren't saying that about the Jones fight although they're predictions of an easy win for Joe are the same thing they're spouting now. And Dawson is much more deserving.

As real boxing fans, what do we want? An undefeated pound for pounder to retire or to face a young, proven champ who's resume this early in his career already surpasses Calzaghe's at a similar stage?

I'm not sure if Dawson beats Hopkins or Calzaghe but I do know that he may be too much risk for fighters who are more about business. And that's where Calzaghe's at. But if Calzaghe wants business, Dawson makes the most sense. It's a fight we'd all want to see (I think) and for those who want to pretend Dawson's a nobody and Calzaghe's a superduperstar, please refer to the "superstar" sales of Calzaghe-Jones, the mediocre returns on Calzaghe-Hopkins and the lowest HBO viewer ratings for boxing in its history (Calzaghe-Kessler). Then note the HBO announcer asking Calzaghe immediately following the Jones fight whether he would fight Dawson. Then remind yourself who was negotiating on Dawson's behalf with Mikkel Kessler's team?

They're offering Hopkins again or Dawson and I guarantee the numbers won't be too different. Joe's already ruled out Hopkins and seems to want to take a little furlough. HBO is trying to get Dawson a "name" fight where he can stake his claim as the most worthy challenger. Neither are superstars but they really don't have too many other places to go (well Joe doesn't, anyway). I agree with Clegg 100%. This is an incredible match-up and an incredible opportunity for Joe. I hope he takes it.

Damn..... great ****ing post....

[Kris Silver]

With Dawson's speed, naturally bigger size and good punch, he wouldn't allow Joe to get off that many punches and allow himself to be back up. Dawson would not be the one backing up, hes the naturally stronger fighter and would be bringing the fight to Calzaghe. Tarver and Johnson could punch and they are as big as Dawson is, and that's the only reason why he boxed them and used the ring. Joe is not only smaller but he doesn't have any kind of power.

Dawson isn't particularly bigger than Joe anymore, infact in terms of who would come into the ring heavier, I'd say Joe would now. Dawson is a relatively small LHW in comparison to others. He's not far off the weight walking around and Joe has always squeezed down to SMW, and is now a pretty big LHW.

He wouldn't be bullied in that ring and has a tough chin, there's no way Dawson's KOing him. There's also no way Calzaghe KO's Dawson.

That fight would not be won on power, it would be won on a combination of speed, angles, adapting, ring intelligence and clever offence. Calzaghe wins on all those fronts I'm afraid, and takes a relatively clear UD.

[slicksouthpaw16]

[QUOTE]

Dawson isn't particularly bigger than Joe anymore, infact in terms of who would come into the ring heavier, I'd say Joe would now. Dawson is a relatively small LHW in comparison to others. He's not far off the weight walking around and Joe has always squeezed down to SMW, and is now a pretty big LHW.

He wouldn't be bullied in that ring and has a tough chin, there's no way Dawson's KOing him. There's also no way Calzaghe KO's Dawson.

Dawson is much bigger than Calzaghe, and all you have to do really is look at their body and frames. Dawson is 6'3, a NATURAL light heavyweight and has been there for years. You have to realize that both fighters that Joe fought at 175 started out at lower weight divisions, and Hopkins was even able to out muscle him.

I don't see Dawson stopping Joe in this fight but if anyone is being stopped, it would be Calzaghe. He has been down in his last two fights, but both fighters that got them hurt did not go after him because of their age. Dawson has not even peaked yet and is full of energy, he would be more than happy to press the fight if he had got Joe in trouble.

That fight would not be won on power, it would be won on a combination of speed, angles, adapting, ring intelligence and clever offence. Calzaghe wins on all those fronts I'm afraid, and takes a relatively clear UD.

IMO Dawson is much more ring intelligent than Calzaghe is. The difference is that Dawson has out smarted other boxers, with as Joe has out smarted pressure fighters, brawlers and fighters that are one dimsensional. I wonder how he would force his speed and volume punching on his first true southpaw, natural light heavyweight and stronger opponent? I just can't see it happening, Dawson is much too big. What people have to realize is that Johnson has power and is a natural light heavyweight as well, and that is the only reason why he boxed and used the ring.

Dawson would keep the fight in the middle of the ring and use his superior outside boxing skills and younger legs to win the fight. Tactically i just can't see Joe boxing with Dawson and doing well. His best bet is do what he always does, which is to out work and out flurry Chad. It could happen if Dawson paces himself the way he did against Tarver, but he only did that because he wanted to tire Tarver out because of his age.