It’s a No Go for Joe

By Kishan Nundloll

Despite continually putting my support behind Joe Calzaghe and his team of trainers (most notably his father Enzo), I think taking a fight with the reigning middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik may be a step to far and may end up costing Calzaghe the legacy he richly deserves.

I don’t think for a second that Joe will ignore this fight; in fact I would be amazed if the fight didn’t take place by the end of this year (most probably in Las Vegas, but Atlantic City shouldn’t be ruled out). I have repeatedly written how much I respect both Father and son and the accomplishment’s they have achieved. Joe would not back down from a fight; he has always beaten who has been put in front of him.

Most recently dismantling World-class opposition (Bernard Hopkins and Mikkel Kessler). I know Joe feels he is only one fight away from retirement and that the big payday is only going to happen now, but a potential fight with Roy Jones Jnr, would still be big box office.

As age starts to become a factor and knowing that what you once did with ease, is taking more and more strain, mentally it becomes harder to motivate yourself to get up and remember why you put the gloves on.

I’m not doubting that Joe has lost any desire, but with his status as the best boxer to ever grace these shores, enough money to retire now and the respect of the entire boxing world. He really doesn’t need this.

Not to mention that his opponent is turning his potential into results, he is rapidly becoming the No.1 man in boxing, and it is his repertoire that has made him such a cult hero in boxing. He is technically very gifted, can boss the fight or go toe to toe with his opponent and most importantly, he has heart.

His epic battle with Jermaine Taylor which saw him become World champion, was something special, he showed the heart of a champion to pick himself off from the canvas and struggle through the round, only to then send Jermaine Taylor (a man who has beaten Bernard Hopkins twice) pummelling to the floor and instantly became someone to watch.

He followed that with another win of Jermaine Taylor, not as enthralling as the first encounter, but as all true champions he was able to grind out a result, and retain his belts.

Kelly Pavlik is a genuine threat to Joe Calzaghe, just like calzaghe when he made his name giving Chris Eubank a boxing lesson 10 years ago, I fear Pavlik will seize his opportunity and end the legacy of Joe Calzaghe.

With that in mind these are the fights Joe lives for, and when called upon Joe has always performed on the big stage. Having interviewed both Father and son, there is a belief instilled in the two, that nothing can stop them from greatness, almost like they are destined to have one more night, one last crack at greatness, to be immortalised in the boxing world and be spoken about in the same vein as Ali, Duran and Leonard (A realistic possibility).

I just hope Joe is able to turn the clock back and whoever he faces Pavlik, Jones maybe a rematch with Hopkins, that he can do it, if only for one more night.