Calzaghe's next opponent...Your view
Joe Calzaghe returned to a hero's welcome after landing at Gatwick Airport on Tuesday following his win over Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas on the weekend.
The Welsh southpaw has a record of 45 wins from 45 fights as he aims to cement his legacy as one of boxing's all-time greats.
Calzaghe has hinted that he will hang up his gloves after one more fight but who should be his opponent?
Legendary four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr is the favourite but the 'Magic Man' is way past his best which was crystal clear four years ago when the 39-year-old was beaten by Antonio Tarver.
This brings us to the IBF light-heavweight champion who beat Sheffield's Clinton Woods earlier this month. Tarver has called out Calzaghe but I think the Newbridge fighter needs to looks past the American and instead focus on a mouth-watering clash against Kelly Pavlik.
Like Calzaghe, Pavlik has yet to taste defeat and has a devastating 29 KO's from 33 fights. Of course, for this fight to happen, the pair would need to agree on a weight but this shouldn't cause too many problems.
Pavlik would hold the biggest threat to end Calzaghe's undefeated streak but what a perfect way it would be for the Welshman to end his career if he were to beat Pavlik in front of thousands of fans in Cardiff.
Who do you think Calzaghe should fight next? Do you agree that Pavlik should be the Welshman's next opponent? Let us know your thoughts by adding all your comments below.
It has to be Pavlik, He is the up in coming, Jones and Tarver have both tasted defeat.
Posted by: | 27 May 2008 at 12:18
Got to say rubbish Boxing Bets - when the last judges result was read out I cheered because only one fighter could have won by such a margine and then they said it was in Joe's favour - I was right and Joe had done enough in a hard fight.
Posted by: Toots | 26 April 2008 at 00:17
Got to say I think Hopkins won the fight, but only just, had it to him by two points. But it really could've went either way, and anyway, how many of our fighters get screwed over there? Bout time we got a good decision for once! Hopkins did what he planned all along and stopped Joe looking as good as he can look. I think it is a shame defensive fighters like B Hop and co dont get much credit for not being exciting enough, I loved watching the likes of Pernell Whitaker fight, its an art form not getting hit. Its just as good entertainment in my book as seeing someone with awesome knock out power!
A lot of people are now saying Calzaghe is the best British fighter ever? I dont know about that to be honest.
Joes style isnt my favourite, I dont like the slappy flurrys he throws. Its awful. I dont know how a fighter can hit a guy 100 times a round and NOT at least put him down, nevermind knock him out. If you get that many chances the other guy shouldnt be in the ring for the next round in my opinion. Its too amatuerish for my liking this whole slapping business. I think Joes defence leaves a lot to be desired as well. Though his hand speed, footwork, stamina and work ethic are all excellent, partly down to his trainer and Dad Enzo, but so are his flaws and he does have them. A good trainer such as Steward, Roach, McGirt, the list goes on would have sorted these problems Joe has out.
Imagine if Joe wasnt stuck with his Dad as his trainer and could work with these top guys from the start of his career. He could've been one of the best, most complete fighters of all time.
My only other criticisim of Joe has been his choice of opponents for most of the much talked about 20 title defences. Records dont mean that much to me, or many others in the fight game to be honest. Sure, its great to be unbeaten, but it matters more who you HAVE beaten, and how you have beaten them. Too many poor performances against poor opponents have let Joe down throughout his reign for me like. I cant get past that. The level he has fought at has been terrible for a so called World Champion, up until he took on Jeff Lacey.
Pavlik, Johnson or Tarver is who he should be calling out. Not Roy Jones. Joe can beat all these guys, so forget Jones and pick one of those 3, do him then retire if you want to, or do all three of them and then you really will be a legend!
Posted by: Boxing Bets | 25 April 2008 at 16:02
joe shoild fight the true champion john cena mouth watering fight
Posted by: woolf man | 24 April 2008 at 11:22
I think Calzaghe was too good for Hopkins and that any fighter would struggle against him, so why would he not fight Pavlik?
Posted by: | 23 April 2008 at 19:23
Calzaghe will probably face Roy Jones Jr who is another washed-up over-the-hill fighter like Hopkins. He will duck Pavlik because he knows that he would end his unbeaten record. Calzaghe has a soft chin and that is why he will duck Pavlik.
Posted by: jackie | 23 April 2008 at 14:56
its got to be pavlik but i wish tommy hearns was a bit younger eh talk about a mouth watering clash
Posted by: david wright | 23 April 2008 at 12:34