Calzaghe and Dawson: a double standard about fighting old opponents

[Jim Jeffries]

That's completely ridiculous, he looked like that because Dawson MADE him look like that. Adamek was arguably the best light heavyweight in the world at the time he lost to Dawson, and the reason why he hasn't lost at cruiser weight is because cruiser weights does not have the hand speed of a light heavyweight such as Dawson, or the skill level. Even before the Dawson fight when Adamek was in his dressing room, he stated that his size would be a factor and that he felt better than ever. Don't let anyone fool you.

Then why is it that Adamek is knocking out guys 15 to 20 pounds heavier than him on fight night when he was never that big of a puncher at LHW? How does a guy jump up 25 pounds and be world level right off the bat? Who are these big names at LHW that made Adamek the best in the world? What does Adamek's recent success at CW have to do with the version Dawson fought? Come'on dude, wake up.

[Dave Rado]

difference is johnson and tarver were actively fighting top contenders and competing for titles bhops and roy are not. tarver and johnson are in championship form and when was the last time bhop or roy fought for a legit title

Hopkins was the lineal and The Ring Light Heavyweight champion at the time and was ranked the #1 Light Heavyweight by every independent ranking body at that time. He was also ranked #3 P4P at that time.

Jones was just a glamour fight to bow out on.

[Boxingwizard]

So Dawson should fight Cloud in a non televised fight with less money then he would have fighting Johnson? Because none of the major net works would pick up the fight, so Dawson had no choice. His plan is take care of the stars first, then sit back and defend against mandatories. If Cloud beat Woods, Dawson will fight him and get his title back.



That's Calzaghe best win over a fighter in his prime, and even Adamek is way better than Kessler.


Funny how you can come off of a fight of the year candidate four months earlier and end up being weight drained in your very next fight. That's everyone's number one excuse. Dawson beat Adamek fair and square, and there were no official reports of him being weight drained before or after the fight.

Or he can fight the other belt holders like Diaconu.

[Jim Jeffries]

Or he can fight the other belt holders like Diaconu.

Does a guy have to hold all of the belts at the same time, or can he win all of them at different times, and become undisputed, if he remains undefeated? Just curious.

Also who would win between Dawson and Adamek, at CW, right now?

[Lead Cenobite]

Good point. Maybe he was too busy clowning on road sweepers and cab drivers.



No thanks, I don't suck turds.



Oooh, you hardcore little gangsta, you! I'm a "punk mofo". OK, thanks for letting me know



Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Tarver past it when Chad fought him?

Eubank was slightly past it, yeah, but still put up a very difficult fight. After Joe, he went on to fight the only guy who ever beat David Haye, Carl Thompson. IMO, he won the first fight, but the second was stopped because of a cut. Eubank, as you saw from the Calzaghe-Eubank fight, was still a dangerous opponent. Use your eyes. Eubank's problem was he was scared of truly hurting anyone after the Michael Watson tragedy. Regardless, watch the Calzaghe-Eubank fight and tell me that he wasn't still a worthy opponent for a green 25 year old who, 2 weeks earlier, was preparing for a completely different opponent. The Eubank fight was a GREAT win. Not just good, but one the very best on his resume. Joe to date still says it was his hardest fight. A "past it" fighter doesn't make you unable to walk for a week and have to be carried to the bathroom to take a piss.



Only a hate-blinded ****sucker would type such asinine garbage.

I find this post fascinating. In my study of the Man known as Roy Jones, I have never seen any cab drivers or road sweepers on his resume. Care to name some?

[slicksouthpaw16]

Then why is it that Adamek is knocking out guys 15 to 20 pounds heavier than him on fight night when he was never that big of a puncher at LHW?

Ummmm did you see the effect it had when Adamek got full leverage and actually landed on Dawson? Not that Chad has a weak chin, its the fact that Adamek can truly ****, and he always could. Actually, take a look back at when Adamek won the title against Ulrich, he scored a one punch knockout. Just because he couldn't take out Briggs( who has never been knocked out once he hit his peak) does not mean that he couldn't punch as a light heavyweight. Granted the move up in weight made him STRONGER because he was more filled out, but that did not effect his performance against Dawson, especially when he fought in a war only 4 months earlier with Paul Briggs, so to say he was weight drained is bull ****( excuse my language).

How does a guy jump up 25 pounds and be world level right off the bat? Who are these big names at LHW that made Adamek the best in the world? What does Adamek's recent success at CW have to do with the version Dawson fought? Come'on dude, wake up.

Because Adamek is a world class fighter, and honestly i don't even think the cruiser weight division is as good as the light heavyweight division. Look at Dawsn's performance against Adamek and look at Cunningham's, and you'll see that Dawson fought the tactical smarter fight. He didn't let himself be cornered, he didn't exchange and he had consistent use of his jab. Cunningham did ALL of those wrong, and even when he was knocked down 3 times, he only lost a split decision. That's shows you that technical boxers trouble Adamek, don't be blind.

[slicksouthpaw16]

Does a guy have to hold all of the belts at the same time, or can he win all of them at different times, and become undisputed, if he remains undefeated? Just curious.

Also who would win between Dawson and Adamek, at CW, right now?

Dawson said that his frame is not big enough for cruiser weight right now, but at a catch weight of say 180 or a little higher, Dawson wins again. Hes just the better fighter, which was apparent in their first fight. I swear, fans come up with anything to downgrade someone's performance.

[Deja_Vous]

Dawson said that his frame is not big enough for cruiser weight right now, but at a catch weight of say 180 or a little higher, Dawson wins again. Hes just the better fighter, which was apparent in their first fight. I swear, fans come up with anything to downgrade someone's performance.

Imagine if people were saying Meldrick Taylor was weight drained against Chavez because he moved up to 147 shortly after and won a Title.

They'd **** a brick.

[whosyourdaddy24]

No double standard.

Dawson fought at the first opportunity he had. There was no way from him to fight him in his prime, he wasn't even a contender yet.

Calzaghe, in the midst of Americans denying him a shot, fought 40 year old versions of Hopkins and Jones. Its a catch 22 for Joe cause he's old and he wasn't given a shot.


The thing that really hurts Joe is that he trully believes he's the best and pussied out with his unblemished record. Dawson gave Tarver 2 shots and is looking for a second with Glen Johnson.

To me, slapping+*****ing out < giving rematches + taking bigger money fights

[Kris Silver]

I don't give Dawson too much grief because they are the top LHW's.

The idea that Calzaghe chose to wait to face Hops and Roy is just being sceptical. He called out Jones a number of times, and signed to fight Hops in 02 and Hops pulled out, so explain all that?

He didn't have the name, couldn't get down to MW, the only time they were in his division he seriously called out Jones. He coulda chased them even more perhaps, but he had a SMW reign as well, why move for peanuts and a possible shot, build your own reign and hopefully force a fight.

Tarver has faded but is still a top LHW, Johnson has also aged well. Jones has clearly faded the most but is still a top 10 LHW too, many feel he'd beat Woods now whom is up against Cloud for a belt soon.

None of these older LHW's are quite as bad as made out, it's just how the division is. Did Calzaghe at 36, get the overall beats and as close or controversial decision against not the top LHW, no.

Calzaghe and Hopkins both beat Dawson still. Even a year from now I don't see Dawson showing the tenacity and skills to adapt to be better then either in the future, but there's a good chance...let him crack on he is very good and deserves credit.