Joe Calzaghe and Antonio Tarver Exchange Not-So-Kind Words

According to a South Wales Argus newspaper report, Joe Calzaghe (46-0-0) and Antonio Tarver (29-6-0) have recently exchanged a few words. 

"I was the only one that could beat him, that’s why he avoided me," Tarver said about the now-retired super middleweight champion Calzaghe. But that was only the beginning, as Tarver proceeded with claiming to be better than Roy Jones Jr. or Bernard Hopkins: “He got dropped by Roy (Jones) and (Bernard) Hopkins, I would’ve knocked out feather punching Joe Calzaghe.” 

It has been a while since Tarver received any kind of recognition, as his fights have not been of much interest to the boxing community. Bringing back Calzaghe for a fight would of course spark huge interest and skyrocket both men’s careers back to land of possibilities. 

Calzaghe did not ignore this request, and fired back with the following: “In your dreams, Antonio, didn’t you get destroyed by Hopkins before I beat him? I love how fighters are calling me out three years after I quit. I get it, it’s all about money and a payday. The truth is I was fighting the winner of you and Bernard Hopkins and you lost! For the record, I would have kicked your ...!” 

While it would be interesting to see how this fight would have turned out, Joe makes a good point in saying that it’s a bit too late for this to be a real test of skill and heart.

Enzo Calzaghe agreed with Joe, and expressed his opinion in a similar fashion: “Joe can still go and even after not fighting for three years he would have way too much for Tarver. But what would it prove? That Joe is better than a guy we already know he is better than?” Enzo made it clear that Joe was not at all interested in coming back to the sport. 

I have to say, that if their bout was ever realized, I would definitely pick Calzaghe to decisively beat Tarver in their fight. Who do you think would win?