Shouldn't Calzaghe have made an offical statement yet?

[Kris Silver]

He seems to be a big enough name in the States - he's the one who everyone brings up when they clamour for Joe to fight someone. Granted, there's B-Hop and to a lesser extent Glengoffe, but I think Dawson is that one match people want to see.

And as a fan of his, if there's anyone I'd like to see him fight for his last outing, it's Dawson. Young, hungry, undefeated - all the hallmarks of a classic matchup. I really like the kid and think he's one of the future megastars of LHW (plus, I seem to be one of the few who had him convincingly ahead on the scorecards when he beat Glengoffe).

If Joe does retire without facing anyone, I won't be too disappointed. But like others (but not in a hater fashion), I always will wonder if he had what it takes to beat Dawson. IMO Lacy was a different story because he didn't have a sharp, snap-jabbing style - that's the kind of fighter I want to see Joe go up against, since it's his style too. Trouble is, even if he dispatched of Dawson, he'd only be labelled as another Lacy. Damned if you/don't.

As for Popkins... Well, regardless of who "robbed" who, their fight was ****ty and I wouldn't want to see that again. B-Hop made it a ****ty display by hugging all night long, so he can fuck off. Hell, he probably could beat Joe a 2nd time - and vice versa, for that matter - but I just wouldn't want to see it again. Rematches are only good when they're coming off a great war to begin with - that wasn't a war, just a close decision with no flow and nothing else. Move on.

Nice post. I agree with you for the most part. Like I say if anyone, I think Dawson is the best match for him, but yes he is damned if he does damned if he doesn't on various guys. Dawson would be fobbed off as a green too in experienced guy if Calzaghe were to beat him, by a lot of Americans. Sorry sounds harsh, but name a time when it hasn't happened to Joe with an American. Even Brewer, Mitchell, Lacy along, they were favoured to do much better than they did, and then went down in the opinions of people more so then you'd normally expect for a loss. Now it's again the predictable thing of, oh well if he beats this guy, then I'll give him his dues. Heard that before, is what Joe's entitled to think and factor in.

Johnson, Hopkins - those both receive the predictable excuse of old and shot once again imo, despite their last outings proving not so.

Calzaghe only fought in America in 2008, and he's the top guy, didn't have to with Roy even. I can't see him compromising as easily this time on location as he's the man, and he wants his next bout in Cardiff, feels he owes to the fans whom have travelled a lot and thinks it'd be a good send off most likely. HBO are behind that, and Dawson does as I understand it, have one more fight contracted with HBO, post Tarver rematch. If that re match wasn't happening I'd say Joe would be way more likely to go for Chad.

As it stands, Chad's taken a different route, has dodged a fight with Diacconu, and took the rematch clause with Tarver, and this is the loss for that, quite possibly losing a good chance at Calzaghe due to timings and logistics and such. We'll have to see.

[PittyPat]

I forgot about that Tarver rematch, too. Again, a classic example of a match non-deserving of a second chapter, except in that particular case it was simply a one-sided match that had a convincing winner. B-Hop and Joe was more a case of the match itself being exceptionally ****ty to watch (from both guys, but far more on the part of Pops), but the end result is the same - rematch pointless. I don't know why even B-Hop fans want to see it again, because their fighter fought like ****. Clashing styles, bad matchup.

A farewell in Cardiff, though... I would definitely make the trip. It's only a 2hr train ride from here, so it would be a good day trip for myself and a mate. Even if Joe lost that 0 on his record, the pre-fight atmosphere would be worth it, and it would draw closure to his career.

But still, it'll always be either...

"He fought senior citizens!"

or

"He fought unproven bums!"

Like with Khan, you just can't win with some haters.

[hammerhiem]

He seems to be a big enough name in the States - he's the one who everyone brings up when they clamour for Joe to fight someone. Granted, there's B-Hop and to a lesser extent Glengoffe, but I think Dawson is that one match people want to see.

With all due respect, the US market couldn't give a flying fcuk about Calzaghe and the UK audiance have never heard of dawson, **** the US audiance other than the 2000 or so hardcore boxing fans who read the web haven't heard of Dawson either,

Real hardcore fans are the only ones who cares if Dawson faces Calzaghe and real hardcore fans don't pay the bills.

[PittyPat]

With all due respect, the US market couldn't give a flying fcuk about Calzaghe and the UK audiance have never heard of dawson, **** the US audiance other than the 2000 or so hardcore boxing fans who read the web haven't heard of Dawson either,

Real hardcore fans are the only ones who cares if Dawson faces Calzaghe and real hardcore fans don't pay the bills.

True. Maybe what Buncie said was right - "Chaaaad Dawson couldn't draw flies!", or something like that.

But if this forum is anything to go by, Dawson does seem the most desired fighter to pair him up with. It was Pavlik first, but he has no business being at anything above MW (as he showed against Pops).

[IMDAZED]

True. Maybe what Buncie said was right - "Chaaaad Dawson couldn't draw flies!", or something like that.

But if this forum is anything to go by, Dawson does seem the most desired fighter to pair him up with. It was Pavlik first, but he has no business being at anything above MW (as he showed against Pops).

None of them draw anything. Hence, the excuse that Dawson doesn't make sense monetarily is just that, an excuse.

Chad Dawson just signed a two-fight deal with HBO...they're going to give him as much hype and promotion as possible. Revenue-wise, he can't do that much worse than Hopkins-Calzaghe or Calzaghe-Jones.

[Pullcounter]

With all due respect, the US market couldn't give a flying fcuk about Calzaghe and the UK audiance have never heard of dawson, **** the US audiance other than the 2000 or so hardcore boxing fans who read the web haven't heard of Dawson either,

Real hardcore fans are the only ones who cares if Dawson faces Calzaghe and real hardcore fans don't pay the bills.

who gives a **** about who's making what, the best fight to make at lt HW is calz/dawson period.