By Cinquez: “Bad” Chad Dawson, the current IBO and IBF light-heavyweight champion, is arguably one of the most exciting fighters in any division at the moment. His dismantling of former champion Antonio Tarver was as compelling as it was a significant step in the development of a man who, at just 26, has many years left in boxing. Yet all the big names are reluctant to fight him. Jones Jr., Calzaghe, Hopkins, Kessler and Pavlik have all either been silent on the issue are said outright they have no desire to fight him.

With 27 victories and no defeats, this man lays claim to two of the most distinguished belts in boxing, at a time when there are still great fighters available to fight. Hopkins, Calzaghe and Jones Jr. only appear interested in fighting each other, and perhaps there is a significant reason as to why.

At 36, Calzaghe has indeed had to wait a long time to be given recognition of his boxing ability. His performance against Hopkins was supposed to cement his place against the greats and yet it appeared to leave far more questions than answers. Victories over Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler and a highly disputed victory over ”The executioner” do not qualify someone into the hall of fame. ”Stay at home Joe” earned his name for a reason, and whilst Calzaghe could rightly argue he shouldn’t have to leave Wales as the title Champion to defend his title, his lack of significant fights from 1997 (When he defeated Chris Eubank for the WBO title) right through to his fight against Bernard Hopkins could yet come back to haunt him. So perhaps he, more than RJJ or Hopkins, should want to fight a credible opponent in Dawson to be truly recognized amongst the boxing greats. A win over Roy Jones proves nothing; his star was truly dimmed with his brutal defeats four years ago, and his lackluster performances since.

Roy Jones Junior, more than Hopkins and Calzaghe, will have no desire to fight Dawson. Jones Jr., so emphatically knocked out by both Tarver and Glen Johnson (Neither recognized for their knockout power) has led him to take on smaller fighter since then, and the four years since those defeats certainly will not have helped to maintain his one true asset; his athleticism. His victory over Felix Trinidad, though comprehensive, proved very little when reminded that Trinidad was natural at welterweight, and at best a middleweight. Fighting Dawson, a man who systematically defeated a man (Tarver) whose knockout and subsequent rematch victory over Jones Jr. would be a true redemption fight for Jones Jnr. But, most likely a fight he would lose.

The third man in the equation is Bernard Hopkins, and his open rejection of the fight, also pours scorn onto his claim that he is looking at ”bigger and better things”. Hopkins ”loss” to Calzaghe did not suggest he should retire, but the fight against Kelly Pavlik was one that I felt Hopkins should win. His losses against Jermain Taylor I felt had been somewhat dubious, and Kelly Pavlik’s one dimensional style was indeed perfect for the Hopkins, whose versatility and unconventional style was a perfect match for the slightly crude style of Pavlik. His victory however, highlighted his superiority over the current king of his former division, one he didn’t abdicate but lost in a palace coup d’état. So why not then, given Calzaghe rejection of a rematch with him, take on the current Light Heavyweight star?

At 36, 39, and 43 respectively, the Calzaghe, Jones Jr. and Hopkins all have one thing in common, their shared status as boxing veterans. Do they still have the desire to prove themselves against fighters who are young ambitious and most importantly, have a very good chance of victory? Other than Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto (His recent fight loss to Antonio Margarito), there appear very few fighters willing to take on fighters who are on an equal footing with them. Watch this space boxing fans…