by Jordan Capobianco: When Mike Tyson fought Trevor Berbick, it was within 10 days of the 5-year anniversary of Berbick beating an old, slow, far-past-his-prime Muhammad Ali. Berbick was destroyed in the bout, losing in the typical fashion of Tyson opponents at the time — by technical knockout in the second round. And vengeance for Muhammad Ali was satisfied.

When Corrie Sanders did the same to Wladimir Klitschko — technical knockout in the second round — he suffered a similar fate. Sanders’ next fight was against Vitali Klitschko, who wiped the floor with Sanders, turned the face of the man who had beaten up his brother into hamburger, and calmly fed it to the dogs. And vengeance for Wladimir Klitschko was satisfied.

So the man who defeated Bernard Hopkins had a lot to answer for.

Was this really the man who had retired Bernard Hopkins, or was he just the man who happened to fight Bernard Hopkins when Hopkins was old, slow, soft-punching, and far past his prime? Would he be a replacement for Hopkins in Light Heavyweight? Fans had their doubts.

And on Saturday, those doubts were cemented when Andre Ward gave Chad Dawson a masterclass in boxing. Lesson of the day? That the 7-pound difference between light heavyweight and super middleweight wouldn’t have saved Dawson. He would have lost anyway. And vengeance for Bernard Hopkins was satisfied.

But as the lights were turned off, and the blood was mopped up, and the warriors went off to their locker rooms, “Who’s next?” seemed to pop into everyone’s head.

After all, Ward already beat Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham. He could look to light heavyweight and fight Nathan Cleverly or Tavoris Cloud, but that would require either weight gain or weight loss from one of the two since Ward fights at Super Middleweight, and that’s less likely after the Dawson fight. There isn’t anyone who immediately springs to mind who would make for a good, solid fight for Ward. Except the Dirrell brothers, neither of whom would likely stand a chance.

But either of the Dirrell brothers would have been a better answer than the one that was given. According to reports, Ward wants Joe Calzaghe. Yes, that Joe Calzaghe. The Joe Calzaghe who retired 4 years ago. The Calzaghe who retired with a 46-0 record, hasn’t been in the ring in 4 years, and is 40 years old. And all because Calzaghe publicly stated that yes, he thinks he could have beaten Andre Ward.

How about Bernard Hopkins, Andre? Why not call him out of retirement? Or maybe you and Shane Moseley can work out a fight.

Either of the Dirrell brothers would have been a better choice than this, even if Ward would easily beat them. They’re active, they’re hungry, they’re Ward’s age. Champions are supposed to find the best fighters they can and give those fighters a shot. There are always up-and-coming fighters who want a shot. There are always up-and-coming fighters who deserve a shot. Andre Ward was, until fairly recently, an up-and-coming fighter who needed a shot himself.

Ward’s left hook is divine. His jab is ascendant. His technical powers are omnipotent and omnipresent. He is a god, or at least a “Son of God.” But he should stop trying to raise the dead.