Who should Joe Calzaghe fight next?Dawson?Johnson? or Roy Jones Jr?

Question

Personally I think he should fight Chad Dawson next, Johnson lost to Tarver and as such he is not a fully legitimate contender, Roy Jones has not been a legitimate contender for years and he is well past his prime, Tarver's victory over Johnson was good but I think Dawson deserves a shot at Calzaghe more than him, Calzaghe's biggest test to date is a 43 year old Hopkins and an over rated Kessler (as well as Jeff Lacy who is good but not one of the best we have) I think that if he wants a legitimate claim to greatness he needs to fight a tough young and prime opponent like Chad Dawson or at least Glen Johnson these guys are the strongest guys in the light heavy division (Hopkins and Jones get recognition because of their past achiements but they are both long past their primes) and I think he should face either of these guys and show what he is really made of.

Answer 1

He should take as many faded names possible (and cash on it) before risking it with some hot prospect as Chad Dawson.  He should leave Chad and Plavik for the end.

Answer 2

I agree with you my man; I would much rather see him face Chad Dawson or Kelly Pavlik or even Glen Johnson, but I know all too well that those fights won't happen because they are too dangerous for Joe and they don't match up financially with a Roy Jones, Jr. fight.  I think that he would lose to both Pavlik and Dawson, and I think that he knows it too: thats why he will fight a much more beatable and financially rewarding fight with another past his prime, and faded legend that he would have also easily lost to years ago- Roy Jones, Jr.  But honestly, I'm actually okay with seeing a Calzaghe-Jones fight because I'd like to see Roy get that one last shot at becoming champ again against a top opponent.  Like you said- if he beats Pavlik or Dawson, it would really show that his 45-0 record is as good as it says he is and it would really show his worth, whereas if he beats Jones its like the Hopkins fight again- it will only prove that if he fought Jones in his prime, Jones would have taken Calzaghe to school.  Again, I highly doubt that he'll take that risk against Dawson or Pavlik- it took him this long to cross the pond and fight a faded top opponent, so he'll do whatever he can to preserve his inflated record while getting the most money out of it (which means fighting Jones).

Maggs- why would someone criticize Calzaghe for fighting an in-his prime, worthy opponent like Chad Dawson or Kelly Pavlik instead of fighting another faded legend like Jones?  Thats just being ignorant right there.

Answer 3

I think Kessler is good. He would beat Lacy like a rented mule. I think Calzaghe should retire though. Whatever happens, you can pretty much bet on Glen Johnson getting screwed. He and Winky just can't buy a break in this business.

Answer 4

If he fights again this year, the only real options he has are Glen Johnson or Roy Jones - Tarver will probably take on Dawson soon, so that takes those two out of the mix for the immediate future.  Pavlik is fighting again soon to, plus that fight isn't very appealing to Calzaghe I don't believe.

If you look at Johnson and Jones, I think the pick for Calzaghe is clear - Roy Jones.  If he beats Glen Johnson it really doesn't add much to his legacy, Johnson is old and coming of back to back to back losses (I thought he won, but a loss is still a loss) in his last 3 big fights.

Roy Jones vs. Calzaghe is a fight between two huge names - Roy said he'd do it in Wales, so the gate will be massive.  It doesn't really mean much to hardcore fans because neither one of these guys is going to be around much longer, but the event will produce a lot of press.

Roy Jones is still one of boxing most recognizable stars and he put on a good showing against Tito, Calzaghe may be the biggest fighter in Europe...it just makes better sense than his other options from a risk-reward standpoint.

Answer 5

I would like to see him fight Roy. Roy is past his prime, but still a  good fighter who is very ring savvy. Joe can't punch, so he won't have to worry about anything but 200 questionable slaps. He is also more active, stronger, and faster than Bhop. I don't think Joe wants to see a young lion like Chad, though. He'd get Joe outta there! A fight is thought about  for Nov. 15 for Jones and Calzaghe according to Jones.

Answer 6

I would like to see him fight Dawson.   Dawson will knock him out.  If he beats Dawson in the U. S. he would be thought of higher in my book.

Answer 7

I would like to see him fight both Jones and Dawson as in his next two fights. But one thing for sure if he fights Dawson and wins, he will be criticized for not fighting Jones. If he fights Jones and wins, he will be criticized for not fighting Dawson.

Most boxing fans are so f'ing stupid it's embarrassing for the rest of us.

Answer 8

he either fights Pavlik or retires.  he has nothing left to prove.  everyone in the division is either washed up or not even close to his talent level.

Answer 9

His toughest potential match up would be Kelly Pavlik. So we'll get a good idea as to his stomach for fighting.  If he fights another old guy in Roy Jones, we pretty much know he's not interested in ever getting into the ring with a legit threat.

Someone I think a lot of people are over looking is Jermain Taylor.  The problem is that JT is still in his prime and is athletic and skilled, so he's probably too risky for Calz, who is looking for every advantage he find get.