Who would you guys rather see Calzaghe fight next?

[Soulrise]

Bernard Hopkins, the winner of the Taylor/Pavlik rematch, Clinton Woods, or Roy Jones Jr.? Those seem to be the four possibilities that keep coming up. My personal preference would be in the order that I asked the question.

[Paul T]

I would have to go with Hopkins.

If not Hopkins, Taylor would be a distant second.

I would like to see Pavlik stay at Middleweight, so he is off the
realm of possibilities for me.

[Lord Gaul]

The winner of Taylor/Pavlik two by far would be my choice. I don't ever want to see Hopkins fight again. The only people I want to see him fight at light heavyweight are Dawson and Diaconu. Other then that he is wasting his time.

[US Tomato Can]

B-hop I think. The other 2 have no luster in that match up and Joe has nothing to gain form either match up. One's too green and the other's kind of shot.

[Paul T]

The winner of Taylor/Pavlik two by far would be my choice. I don't ever want to see Hopkins fight again. The only people I want to see him fight at light heavyweight are Dawson and Diaconu. Other then that he is wasting his time.

I understand, but think what a feather it would be for Joe if he defeated the executioner? BHop leapfrogged over Super middle afte dominating middleweight and going stright up to Light heavy so.....

[US Tomato Can]

BHop says he wants it but only in the States. RJJ says he'll go over there and fight Joe. Joe is likely idling his time for the highest bidder at this juncture.

[aubtin]

I'd like to see him fight Hopkins, like Paul T said he's a big name for Joe, plus I sincerely doubt Calzaghe wants to hang around waiting for the winner of Taylor-Pavlik when he's stated he only wants to fight for 1 more year.

[US Tomato Can]

Taylor or Pavlik is the most meaningful to me too. I just wonder outside of us if it'd have the same value among casual fans.

[Soulrise]

The reason why I chose B-Hop is because I think he and Calzaghe are among the few chessmasters in boxing (Floyd and Winky being two others on the short list). I know a lot of fans weren't thrilled with the Bernard's last fight but the way he was able to out-think Winky was truly outstanding. The mental game that would be played between Hopkins and Calzaghe is something that I'd gladly pay to watch.

I would like to see Pavlik stay at Middleweight, so he is off the realm of possibilities for me.

Pavlik's already moving up. The rematch will be at 166 lbs:

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=11367

I don't think moving up two more pounds to officially fight at 168 would be much of a stretch for Kelly. But he still needs to get by Jermain again and I'm not going to automatically assume that he can do that.

[flem1]

I wanna see him fight Chad Dawson

[Lord Gaul]

B-Hop is just a name, but I really don't see what he can gain from fighting him. History will say he beat a shot version of B-Hop. They are thinking about doing it in Yankee Stadiam so that Joe can bring all of Manchester with him. It is a lot closer then Vegas for them and they want to see there hero. The only real reason i am against B-hop being the opponent is because the fight will be boring. I know as a fact that Taylor or Pavlik would be a very entertianing fight. Or Dawson or Diacanu, just not B-Hop.

[Soulrise]

B-Hop is just a name, but I really don't see what he can gain from fighting him. History will say he beat a shot version of B-Hop. They are thinking about doing it in Yankee Stadiam so that Joe can bring all of Manchester with him. It is a lot closer then Vegas for them and they want to see there hero. The only real reason i am against B-hop being the opponent is because the fight will be boring. I know as a fact that Taylor or Pavlik would be a very entertianing fight. Or Dawson or Diacanu, just not B-Hop.

After seeing his performances against Tarver and Wright there aren't many people who'd say Hopkins is shot. He's aged better than any boxer in recent memory. In terms of popularity Bernard's much better known in U.S. circles and would be taking the bigger risk as no one in the U.S. outside of the hardcore fans know who Calzaghe is. As far as if a fight between the two would be boring I guess that's just a matter of personal taste.

[Lord Gaul]

^^By shot I mean people won't give Joe the credit he deserves if he wins. They will instead say that B-Hop was over the hill. As for style, I am not a big fan of the right hand lead and hold style that B-Hop does. but if you are a fan then I can see how you would choose this fight over the others. Just not for me I guess.

[US Tomato Can]

No one does give Calzaghe credit (mostly bitter Americans). The guy does deserve credit. Joe just fought and won the most important super middle weight matchup ever and he won in style against a very dangerous and highly regarded champion.

I have no great love for Joe C. But he did what BHop, Kessler, RJJ and Taylor failed to do.

[Soulrise]

As for style, I am not a big fan of the right hand lead and hold style that B-Hop does. but if you are a fan then I can see how you would choose this fight over the others. Just not for me I guess.

Yeah it's a matter of personal taste. Ricky Hatton's hit and clinch tactics are far more annoying to me than Bernard's.

[aubtin]

They are thinking about doing it in Yankee Stadiam so that Joe can bring all of Manchester with him.

He's Welsh mate, though I'm sure a few mancs would turn up to see him fight too.

I'm a bit sentimental with Calzaghe now that he's nearing the end of his career. There have been moments in the past where he's built up momentum and it seemed huge fights and popularity were just round the corner, but for whatever reasons it never happened. Now I'd like to see him take the biggest fights that get him the most recognition with the masses before he retires, and as it stands now a fight with Hopkins best fits that description.

[US Tomato Can]

I dunno filling an arena full of 60,000 screaming fans is no mean feat. Of course a bout stateside would further seal Joe's legacy but if he's going to be accused for sitting on his laurels, well they're his laurel fair and square. Besides when's B-Hop left the US to fight ever? When's he united all the titles?

I'd love to see Joe C leave the UK and fight in America but in fairness he's more than earned his spot and sealed a win in the most important supermiddle weight bout in the history of the weight class.

[Paul T]

Calzaghe versus Lacy was a clinic, and Calzaghe versus Kessler was a great fight. Calzaghe should get to fight who ever he wants too now :-)

[RHK]

Roy Jones jr

[MZN]

Being quite green to boxing, Kessler - Calzaghe and Taylor - Pavlik (by Lord Gaul's reccomendation :)) are among the few I've seen and I would like to see the winners square off.

I think though that it would be a better match up for Joe as I see similarities between Pavlik and Kessler as in they look kinda straight forward whereas Taylor and Calzaghe tend to fight more slippery... Oh well, just correct me if I'm wrong :D