Comments Thread For: The Beltline: Saudi cash makes it even tougher for a retired boxer to fight temptation

[BoxingUpdates]

The likes of 52-year-old Joe Calzaghe, recently tempted to come back by Turki Alalshikh, should be left well alone, writes Elliot Worsell
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[Liondw]

Imagine if this Saudi money was around in boxing when Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis were around?

They'd have gone over there to fight, even if way past their prime. From what I read, it seems like Robinson and Louis didn't have much money in their last few years before they passed on.

Sonny Liston also, from what I read and saw in documentaries, if true, was not well off.

I mean, no offence to the guys today, and the "influencer" who's made a lot of money, J.Paul, but it's disgraceful to think that those all-time greats missed out on proper financial rewards.

How much would great fighters like the ones I mentioned get paid by Turki and Saudi entertainment? More than Fury and Usyk even, I'd guess.

On Calzaghe, sure he doesn't need the money, but if he did, he knows Turki will pay big for him and Froch.

[JeBron Lamez]

"“Last year I gave (Calzaghe) an offer to fight (Froch) and he accepted. But the next day he changed his mind. It was with good numbers. I tried to convince him. But it is not an exhibition; this is real. Still I want to see this fight." - Turki

Guess we now know for sure that Saudi Arabia does not possess time-travel technology, cos that's clearly what His Schmexcellency really needs.

[wrecksracer]

I like Froch and Calzaghe, and would have been interested in the outcome of a fight between them in their prime. That ship has sailed long ago. There is absolutely no way for a +50 year old guy to turn back the clock. I'm not even sure why you would entertain such a fight. It proves nothing.

[MulaKO]

I like Froch and Calzaghe, and would have been interested in the outcome of a fight between them in their prime. That ship has sailed long ago. There is absolutely no way for a +50 year old guy to turn back the clock. I'm not even sure why you would entertain such a fight. It proves nothing.

That was Turki trying to flex his power through his cash
Can't see it any other way

[johnnycontrolet]

Disappointing that Turki is offering these oldies huge amounts to come back. He is a great matchmaker who is responsible for making Beterbiev vs Bivol, Usyk vs Fury, Dubois vs Parker and many more great match-ups but he should stop these ridiculous oldie fights. Dangerous and without any sense. I also don‘t understand that he pays dopers like Benn and Garcia huge amounts. They should be banned from our sport.

[LA_2_Vegas]

I can't think of any old star who I'd want to see comeback. All my favorites are pushing 50 +.

Maybe Keith Thurman. Not the biggest star, but if he came back, he would be the biggest name at WW. WW is pretty dead and faceless.

i know he's probably done, but fwiw, i thought he looked alright in his last fight.

[landotter]

Everything written here is true. I just do not see any real difference from any other era. Boxers making "comebacks" well past the time it is freaking sane to do so is a boxing sad tradition. It is just a little more lucrative if the Saudi cash cow smiles on you right now. No less sad, just more lucrative.