Joe Calzaghe Calls it Quits, Announces Retirement

[Dave Rado]

Beating Hopkins decisively would have [added to his legacy].

Yes, but as I said previously, it would almost certainly have been another close, ugly fight, similar to the first one, and winning a fight like that that wouldn't have.

And if beating Mikkel Kessler adds to his legacy, it's a little ludicrous to suggest beating Dawson wouldn't.

It's true that beating Dawson would have been similar in terms of legacy to beating Kessler - though less so, IMO, because I think Calzaghe would be a much stronger favourite to beat Dawson than he was to beat Kessler. But the point is that in his farewell fight he was looking for the icing on the cake, a level up from beating Kessler, not for another Kessler. Hard core boxing fans (including me) wanted him to fight Dawson, but for most non-hard core fans, there would have been little interest, and it would have made little or no difference to how they viewed him.

[Fenom]

not mad... deuces

[Kris Silver]

Kinda disapointed but it's half expected. Joe planned originally to be retired by now, so he's been on extra time for awhile. He's #1 for a reason, he beat the best whom all agreed no one else coulda beaten at the time, whom proved he wasn't shot. Dawson is #3 for a reason, both Calzaghe and Hopkins are favoured over him, and in polls most agree on this, quite clearly.

He's the best ever SMW, and the best LHW of the moment. Can't argue, or ask for much more so he may aswell get out as planned rather than fight on, which is what people usually criticise more.

[kingfaze19]

finally this dude retired, people need to stop kissing his ass calling him a HOF cuz he is not! the hopkins fight deserved a rematch and he didnt do it,so a dark cloud would hang over his unbeaten record.

[ippo]

Since he retired i hope he stays retired.I hate it when fighters retire than comeback only to lose to a lesser fighter.

[jbin333]

please let him go off quietly into the night.........

his never say never commment says it all.......

like he said both his kids and his mum, are asking him to retire and as he said there is nothing left for him to prove......

lets' respect his decision and hope he holds true to it.......

Cong**** Joe on a wonderful career.....

[STEELHEAD]

[quote=WTFBALLZ;4704867]

He hasn't said anything different to what he has been saying for the past 2 months.

When a good deal comes through the door, he will take it.[/QUOTE]

I think the only fight that makes any viable sense as of now is a B-Hop rematch.

But if he is truly retired, not mad at him. Cong****, Joe. Would have loved to see you smack the **** out of Froch, though.

yes. i was hoping cal would treat his fans to a big farewell fight at
that stadium over there against the game but lacking froch.

its insulting that some are comparing cal to that lacky kraut ottke!

[Porter's Dad]

Ending his career on a decision win against the 39 year old version of Roy Jones Jr.

It's quite fitting, really.

[-Antonio-]

He's just taking a long break. Unless no one emerges. I can see him coming back in a year or so.

[IMustBreakU]

Well I'm dissapointed that he never fought Dawson. Because of that, I'll give him some props for his efforts at SMW, but can't really say he did anything at all at LHW. The Hopkins fight was too close to really call it a victory for either fighter. The RJJ fight, well, let's just say a used up RJJ lost convicingly but stayed on his feet.