10.11.08 – by James Slater – Many pro boxers will tell you the hardest hurdle they encountered in their fighting career was making the decision to retire. After years and years of fighting, training, and living the life of a boxer, it has been almost impossible for many greats to give up the sport they love until they absolutely had to – they had to either because they simply could not perform anywhere near their former ability anymore, or because the commissions refused to continue to allow them to box.
Right now, the unbeaten Joe Calzaghe is in the position of having to decide whether or not to hang up his gloves. Joe may say different, but he is not going to find making his choice at all easy. With literally millions of dollars, or pounds, being dangled in front of him for “just one more fight,” the superstar from Wales is going to think and rethink and then rethink some more, before he makes his decision.
Already, less than two days after his dominant win over Roy Jones Junior, many people have expressed their opinion on what Joe should do. Giving Calzaghe their advice are two fighters of particular significance – Lennox Lewis and Ricky Hatton. Both countrymen of Calzaghe, Lewis and Hatton both say Joe should call it a day and retire on top. Lewis, of course, is one of the few boxers in history who was able to get out on top and remain retired, his reputation intact.
Speaking shortly after Calzaghe advanced to 46-0, the former heavyweight king advised Joe to follow his lead.
“Joe has beaten everyone there is to beat and has nothing else to prove so I think he should retire,” Lewis said.
Hatton, who is still active, of course, and may well find taking retirement a tough option himself one day, echoed Lewis’ view.
“He should retire – there’s nothing more Joe Calzaghe can do,” Hatton told Radio Five Live. “There’s always a new contender coming through. They’re going on about Joe should fight Chad Dawson, I think that’s a load of rubbish. Joe has beaten Bernard Hopkins, he’s beaten Roy Jones – you can’t get a better way to bow out, really.”
There are also a number of writers, commentators and just plain fans who feel “The Pride of Wales” should announce his retirement. But will the 36-year-old be able to walk away?
At least three men are hoping he will find it difficult, and wasted no time in calling Joe out for a fight, or a second fight in the case of two guys. Both Mikkel Kessler and Bernard Hopkins – who were somewhat closely out-pointed by Calzaghe in world title fights – called Joe out for a return, and IBF light-heavyweight champ Chad Dawson said he would love to get it on with his rival 175-pounder.
All three men have also stated that they would be willing to come to Wales and fight Joe in his own backyard. It just may be that Calzaghe will take the bait and get it on with one or more of these three quality operators.
Joe Calzaghe may be soon making one of the hardest decisions of his entire life!