WHEN Ricky Hatton called Joe Calzaghe (46-0, 32KOs) the greatest fighter Britain has ever produced after the latter announced his retirement last Feb. 5, the Hitman must have done so with a personal caveat that he would in time, probably surpass the talented southpaw.
After all, he is set to chart his own destiny against the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, Manny Pacquiao, this May.
If Ricky beats the Pacman, that alone would single-handedly vivify his career to possibly surpass that of the ?The Pride of Wales.?
Why? You may ask.
KINGS. Joe Calzaghe, as good as he was, did not meet the pound-for-pound kings at their best.
He defeated Roy Jones Jr. when the latter had whittled down to only a mere suggestion of his old, invincible self.
Still, I had hoped Jones still had enough left to pull off an upset, and he almost did, right in the very first round.
If anything, that blunder right there spoke volumes about what could have been had Joe faced Jones in the latter?s prime years.
But while he dominated Jones, the same could not be said of his fight with the 44-year-old Bernard Hopkins. Calzaghe only managed a split decision win and only after another knockdown and a bloody nose, all in the first round.
BEST WINS. If you take away those fights, the best names on Joe?s menu are Mikkel Kessler (a career-defining victory over a young, class A fighter) and Jeff Lacy (a great win but as we know now, Lacy was overrated).
Joe also defeated good fighters such as Mario Veit, Sakio Bika and Charles Brewer.
Overall, Calzaghe certainly prevailed over decent opposition, but he wasn?t to blame for the lack of marquee opponents in his prime.
Calzaghe was quite outspoken about the fact that big career fights had eluded him but deflected most of the blame on geography.
Like it or not, the big money fights are in the USA and unfortunately, it was only during the Hopkins fight?the second to the last of his career?that Joe was finally able to fight before an American audience.
NO TO AN OSCAR. Following his victory over Jones, speculation was rife as to whether Calzaghe would retire. But after seeing Pacquiao brutalize the 35-year-old Oscar dela Hoya, Joe said he was not inclined to do an Oscar.
The Last Round salutes a fighter of Joe?s caliber. He has had a long illustrious career and he retires undefeated and on top of his division.
He may not have been a smokin? Joe, but he sure smoked them all.
WELTER SKELTER. Now that Antonio Margarito?s license has been revoked (suspended) for a year, what will happen to the welterweight division, queries Last Rounder Ralph Vencer.
Well Ralph, the indomitable Margarito left a gaping hole in the division, but thanks to the resurgence of Shane Mosely, the immediate future looks propitious, nonetheless.
Mosely has already started calling out the biggest names available as he knows the sand in his hourglass is running out fast.
Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto is dead set on redeeming himself. Ditto with Joshua Clottey who recently defeated Zab Judah.
Andre Berto (24-0, 19KOs) is a rising star who recently defeated tough veterans Luis Collazo and Steve Forbes.
Plus, the winner of the Hatton-Pacquiao could conceivably move up to fight at welterweight.
Although, if the Pacman wins, I would prefer he taper down his appetite and limit it to the junior welterweights who are within crunchable range.
LAST ROUND. It?s on Rommel ?Bords? Hapin and Haydee Wang who celebrated their birthdays on St. Valentine?s Day. Cheers!
