Chad Dawson In Talks With A Joe Calzaghe Representative, Could We Maybe See Calzaghe-Dawson Next Year?

by James Slater – While unbeaten 36-year-old future Hall of Famer Joe Calzaghe has yet to make up his mind about if he will take another fight or retire, Chad Dawson and his manager Mike Criscio are busy calling out “The Pride of Wales.” Apparently making at least some progress, “Bad Chad” has gone on record – according to View London.co.uk – as saying he is in talks with a Calzaghe representative about the possibility of a fight next year..

Moments after his fine win over Roy Jones Junior on November 8th, commentator Max Kellerman asked Joe about a possible fight with the “next young guy,” Dawson, going as far as to suggest this is the only bout out there that would mean anything for Calzaghe. The unbeaten 26-year-old who holds the IBF 175-pound crown is now doing all he can to land the fight.

“It’s definitely a fight I want,” Dawson said. “It’s something I’ve wanted since Calzaghe stepped up to light-heavyweight. There’s a little talk going on between the two parties.”

Chad is a softly-spoken type of guy, and he is never the kind of fighter to shoot his mouth off. He wants the fight, he respects Calzaghe and he would come to the U.K for the bout, was pretty much all Dawson had to say. His manager Mike Criscio added more, however.

“We want to get rid of the senior tour – Hopkins, Calzaghe, Tarver,” Criscio said. “Tiger Woods did it in golf and now it’s Chad’s turn. It would be a great fight between him and Joe. If Joe beats a young kid then he’s the star and if Chad beats him then the legacy is over. Who else is there to fight? Who can he fight that would be a huge fight? Nobody wants to see him fight someone he’s already beaten. They want to see the new up and coming.

“And if Chad wins he’s the king of kings. If Joe wins he’s the best in the division.”

While many would argue Calzaghe is already the best in the light-heavyweight division and that he is already the star, there is no denying a fight between he and the ten-years younger Dawson is intriguing. Carl Froch and Bernard Hopkins, to name just two men, would argue when Criscio says his man is the best option for Calzaghe, but he does have a point. Most US fans have either not seen anything of Froch, whereas Hopkins is a guy Joe has already beaten; and in a fight that failed to please most fans at that.

Dawson-Calzaghe, however, would be something that would sell tickets. The new lion Vs. the old lion – who will win? The promoters would certainly have no trouble in coming up with a tagline for the fight, that’s for sure. And though a bout that pits two southpaws against one another can result in an awkward, dull fight, there is a good chance this would not be the case here.

Dawson wants the fight, many experts, such as the aforementioned Kellerman, seem to want it; now it’s all up to Joe to make his decision. Will he retire or won’t he? The early part of next year should give us an answer.