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Well, I can see your points and not going as far there. However I still think you've come a little close to a 180. I know you were wanting to be positive about Roy and his chances, but having seen and discussed it with you lots I'm sure you truly felt Roy would be competitive, and had a decent enough shot.
Plenty of others thought it would be too, and many even in the sport. Hopkins and I think Haye included.
You were also mindful of not over hyping and setting Roy and yourself up for a fall. So I don't buy you were going far to far previously, perhaps a little. But don't go back on it too much, perhaps you'll reflect after this outing.
When it comes to deserved, I struggle here because Calzaghe spent his career at 168 where he is now at last agreed by most as the best ever there. He went to 175 and another country to take on the guy whom backed out of a fight years earlier, he got what he wanted and beat the top guy, a legend, and agreed #1 LHW. Roy is an even bigger legend, brings loads of money and attention too, some prestige, and is still a top 10 LHW. There's numerous defences where the guys aren't even in the top 10 in Ring, so I hardly call this in bad one. It was clear the reason for it, Calzaghe had beaten the absolute best in his first outing there, and was fair enough to take on Jones given the scenario and timing of him wanting to retire next. No name Dawson whom brings now money or recognition from a lot of the public world, and casual fans, is hardly suitable or more deserving on those fronts.
I wouldn't like it if he did it again, but christ look at Pavlik's defences, does he get much ****? Not loads really. Calzaghe beat the #1, then #7 for a big name money finale. If he fought on, it was clear he was only considering Dawson, Johnson or Taylor, so that says it all, he was more than willing but had done what he wanted to and retired later then planned with a nice cherry on the pie to end on.
Plenty of others thought it would be too, and many even in the sport. Hopkins and I think Haye included.
You were also mindful of not over hyping and setting Roy and yourself up for a fall. So I don't buy you were going far to far previously, perhaps a little. But don't go back on it too much, perhaps you'll reflect after this outing.
When it comes to deserved, I struggle here because Calzaghe spent his career at 168 where he is now at last agreed by most as the best ever there. He went to 175 and another country to take on the guy whom backed out of a fight years earlier, he got what he wanted and beat the top guy, a legend, and agreed #1 LHW. Roy is an even bigger legend, brings loads of money and attention too, some prestige, and is still a top 10 LHW. There's numerous defences where the guys aren't even in the top 10 in Ring, so I hardly call this in bad one. It was clear the reason for it, Calzaghe had beaten the absolute best in his first outing there, and was fair enough to take on Jones given the scenario and timing of him wanting to retire next. No name Dawson whom brings now money or recognition from a lot of the public world, and casual fans, is hardly suitable or more deserving on those fronts.
I wouldn't like it if he did it again, but christ look at Pavlik's defences, does he get much ****? Not loads really. Calzaghe beat the #1, then #7 for a big name money finale. If he fought on, it was clear he was only considering Dawson, Johnson or Taylor, so that says it all, he was more than willing but had done what he wanted to and retired later then planned with a nice cherry on the pie to end on.
have a good weekend.
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