Boxing Press Conference: Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler

Click for larger image © Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

This past week in New York City, promoter Frank Warren held a press conference to announce the world title unification fight between undefeated Super Middleweight Champions Joe Calzaghe, 43-0 (32), from Newbridge, Wales and Mikkel Kessler, 39-0 (29), from Copenhagen, Denmark. The highly anticipated match-up will take place on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff , Wales where as many as 60,000 fans are expected to attend.

“The Pride of Wales” will be defending his WBO Championship for the 21st time and is one of the longest-reigning world champions of all time. Although he is approaching his 10th anniversary of winning the WBO title, it was his impressive victory over IBF Champion Jeff Lacy that gave him worldwide recognition.

“When the Lacy fight came along I had a lot to gain, I had so much to prove to the world that I wasn’t just a champion but that I was one of the best champions,” said Calzaghe. “I think the Lacy performance went some way to show the world what I am about and that I want to fight the top guys.”

While many fighters at the age of 35 begin to slow down from years in the ring, Calzaghe feels he is in the best shape of his career. “I feel that a 35 year old Calzaghe can kick a 30 year old Calzaghe’s ass as far as I’m concerned,” laughed Calzaghe. “I still have a hunger for the big fights, that’s why you have seen some sub standard performances like when I fought Bika where I didn’t do one round of sparring, I wasn’t psyched for the fight.”

For his upcoming fight with Kessler, Calzaghe is excited, “This is what it’s all about, maybe 50,000 plus fans, that’s what dreams are made of this is just amazing.”

“It’s not going to be a Winky Wright – Bernard Hopkins fight, this is myself against a hungry fighter who believes he is the best and I have to be at my best on that night. What can I say; hopefully it will be fight of the year.”

Calzaghe feels if he can be in the same form as he was during his dominance of Lacy that he will be unstoppable. “I was in a great place at the Lacy fight. Hopefully, if I can be in that same form, Kessler or anybody else won’t touch me as far as I’m concerned.”

“To me it’s about being in the best physical and mental shape I can possibly be in, with my style I can box and I can fight. Obviously, you have to get your strategy right on the night, but I am confident in winning the fight.”

“I never go into the fight and say I am going to knockout out someone; I have the potential to knock anybody out. I train for war. I train for twelve hard rounds and hope to God I come through the fight comfortably.”

Kessler captured his WBA title in 2004 against Manny Siaca and added the WBC title after a dramatic third-round knockout of Markus Beyer, last October.

“The Viking Warrior” has fought most of his matches in his home country of Denmark commenting, “It is always best to fight at the home country… I have fought before in Australia and I am sure I am going to do as good, if not better, in his backyard.”

Kessler has been working towards a unification fight with Calzaghe for nearly two years and is happy that his opportunity has finally arrived. “I have a great respect for Joe Calzaghe. This is a dream come true for me to get this big fight.”

Although Kessler offered no predictions for the fight, he wanted to make sure everyone knows that he will be ready. “I only think about winning, I have been training a long time and I am going to peak with this fight.”

Click for larger image © Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing