Who's next for Calzaghe by Oliver Fennell Nov 7th 2007

In the wake of his sensational victory over Mikkel Kessler to unify the super-middleweight division, Joe Calzaghe claimed he would fight on for one more year. If this proves to be the case – and it should be remembered the sport is littered with examples of boxers who fail to stick to their self-imposed timetables – then who should the Welshman fight in order to best close out his illustrious career? Oliver Fennell looks at the most attractive candidates. Bernard Hopkins Why? Hopkins is the name on everybody's lips, from knowledgeable fans to Joe Public who has seen the American's name plastered across the back pages of Monday's newspapers. Regardless of belts, beating Hopkins would make Calzaghe the top dog at 175lb. And not only does Hopkins have big-name value, he is also hugely charismatic and a world-class trash talker who would help the contest transcend the sport. Why not? The most glaring negative is Hopkins' age. At 42, Hopkins has lived a monastically clean life and has barely taken a break from training his entire career. But you can't escape the numbers, and it's a racing certainty that should Calzaghe win, the critics will say he “only” beat an aging fighter. Will it happen? Probably. Hopkins is a shrewd and experienced businessman. He will recognise the public clamour for the fight. He will also recognise he won't get many better offers at this stage of his career, and he will probably see it as a winnable fight, too. Who would win? While it's easy to envisage the busier Calzaghe racking up round after round against the slower man, don't count out the old fox implementing a fight-winning strategy. He's also a master of boxing psychology, so the possibility of him getting inside Calzaghe's head can't be ruled out either. But as is stands, I would back Calzaghe to win a close and possibly unsatisfying points decision. Roy Jones Why? Former pound-for-pound king Jones has been spectacularly knocked off this pedestal, but fights on at 38, still firmly inside the world top 10 and one of the biggest names in the sport. It would be a non-title fight for Calzaghe, but it would be a bumper payday against a modern great. And, if successful, Calzaghe would be able to say he had beaten a former heavyweight champion. Wouldn't that look great on his CV? Why not? Although younger than Hopkins, Jones is generally considered to be further past his best. He also seems more fragile – while Hopkins has only lost to Jermain Taylor in close decisions in recent years, Jones has been spectacularly knocked out by Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. He retains marquee value, but the question mark over his chin makes this another no-win fight for Joe. If he stops Jones, he's only doing what others have done before, and if he doesn't, questions will be asked why. Will it happen? Unlikely. Jones has to get past Felix Trinidad first, with the pair meeting in what is really little more than a tribute act in January. Jones appears to be playing it safe for the time being, with regard to his opponents. Maybe he will come to the table if Calzaghe wins a light-heavyweight belt first, but I wouldn't bet on it. Who would win? This might be a better and closer fight than some expect. It would be a battle of speed, and while Jones has the greater power, Calzaghe has the better chin. I see an exciting blend of styles making for a close fight until Calzaghe forces a stoppage late in the fight, with Jones on his feet but under fire against the ropes. Kelly Pavlik Why? Middleweight champion Pavlik is the new American darling following his thrilling knockout of Jermain Taylor in September. He brings an action-packed style and a travelling army of supporters. He would be challenging for Calzaghe's title, so there isn't a belt in it for the Welshman, but it could give him a war that will live long in the memory. Why not? As said, there's no belt for Calzaghe, and the powerful Pavlik might be too much risk for too little reward. And if Calzaghe won, the critics could say he had only beaten a naturally smaller man. Will it happen? Maybe. Calzaghe sounded open to the idea, and TV on both sides of the Atlantic would snap it up. But it can't be discusses in any detail until the dust has settled on Pavlik's rematch with Taylor, in two months' time. Who would win? Pavlik's biggest gift is his power, but can he, as a natural middleweight, do what big super-middles such as Kessler, Lacy and Eubank failed to? Taylor showed Pavlik can be floored and disoriented by combination punching, which is Calzaghe's greatest asset. The bigger man wins in eight rounds. Jermain Taylor Why? If Taylor can avenge the Pavlik loss when they go at it again in January, he will logically replace Kelly in the Calzaghe pecking order. In fact, he was one of the names considered for last weekend's Cardiff supershow, but as ever, money talked and Taylor walked. If he can beat Pavlik, he might once again be an attractive challenger. Why not? Taylor's middleweight reign was unimpressive. In fact, the only time he excited was in defeat to Pavlik. Unless he looks sensational in the rematch, a fight against Calzaghe will be a hard-sell. Who will buy “Super” Joe versus a man who has struggled against light-middleweights. Will it happen? Only if Taylor wins the Pavlik rematch. He might be the second or third of Calzaghe's final opponents. Who would win? Calzaghe on points in an uninspiring encounter. Clinton Woods Why? If Calzaghe is intent on stepping up to light-heavyweight, why not aim for a piece of hardware? Sure, Hopkins is the big draw, but he doesn't officially hold a belt there. Woods is a proven IBF champion and would play his part in a big domestic dust-up. Why not? Woods doesn't mean a great deal to the important American audience, so title or not, he wouldn't bring as much money to the table. Will it happen? I doubt it. It may have been possible a year ago, but if Calzaghe didn't fight him then, he's unlikely to now that his stock has risen so dramatically. Who would win? The fight might resemble Calzaghe-Kessler, with the Welshman's greater workrate and variety overcoming the champion's stand-up style for a unanimous decision. Mikkel Kessler Why? Seeing as Calzaghe and Kessler put on such a good fight last weekend, what's not to like about a rematch? Why not? Calzaghe wants to make the most of the short time he has given himself, so this would be going over old ground. Besides, although the fight was good, there was no doubt as to the winner being the better man. Will it happen? Not unless the Danes offer Calzaghe a huge financial incentive. Who would win? Same result, although Kessler can probably come back better for the first fight and make it a point or two closer. Chad Dawson Why? If Calzaghe is tempted by light-heavyweight gold, he might plump for Dawson rather than Woods, Zsolt Erdei or Stipe Drews. This is because Dawson is the youngest of the champions, has the most attractive style and, crucially, is American – and therefore more lucrative. And unlike Hopkins or Jones, Dawson might travel to Britain. Why not? Dawson is probably the riskiest assignment at 175lb. He punches harder than Woods, Erdei and Drews, and does not bring the financial clout of Hopkins or Jones. Will it happen? Unlikely. He's barely merited a mention in the aftermath of Calzaghe's latest win. Who would win? Dawson might give Calzaghe a fright early on, and maybe even score a knockdown, before the more seasoned Brit adapts and pulls out a decision by finishing stronger. Also worth considering: Antonio Tarver – an easy sell for Calzaghe to fight “that bloke off Rocky”, but if Joe's going to fight a belt-less American, he's a poor substitute for Hopkins, who beat Tarver easily last year. Carl Froch – relatively untested but an outspoken sort who would help sell an all-British fight. Anthony Mundine – one of boxing's true heels who would also do his part to promote a blockbuster occasion. But a clear defeat to Kessler puts his credentials in perspective. Lucian Bute – recently claimed the IBF belt Joe relinquished earlier this year. Calzaghe could beat him for the unnecessary sake of holding all belts simultaneously. Zsolt Erdei – WBO 12st 7lb champ. Calzaghe could walk into this anytime he chose, given his loyalty to the WBO, but Erdei is all but faceless Stateside. Stipe Drews – WBA light-heavy holder in the same position as Erdei, and who must beat Danny Green first anyway. Glen Johnson – this could be marketed as a grudge match, given Johnson is still smarting from having Calzaghe pull out on him twice before. Well known and respected by fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

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