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"I'll prepare for a hard 12 rounds just like I did when I beat Jeff Lacy. I'm so close to making history and can't afford to let anyone take that away."
Victory would enable Calzaghe to join two legends of the fight game with 20 successful world title defences. Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and ex-middleweight title-holder Bernard Hopkins both reached that landmark.
Can we really blame him?
Joe "chose" to fight Manfredo cause FW told him that's who he's fighting. (That doesn't excuse Calzaghe from the choice of opponents over the years though ;))
Manfredos a bigger name in the US. It makes sense for Calzaghe to fight him over Kessler even though Kesslers a better fighter (I dont think either of them would be too tough a fight for Joe anyway) The first thing most Americans saw of him was against Lacy and after being televised over there against Bika he needs to put on a good show and beat someone the Americans know before he can secure a big money showdown with a major opponent, probably Taylor. Manfredos a smart move because although far from being the best in the world he is one of the best known, especially in the US and Calzaghe will get more credit for beating him than he would for a unification with Kessler. Sad really that people are so easily swayed by a reality TV programme but its true.
most of calzaghes defences have been a joke in a joke division
ever wonder why Toney / Jones etc all went to light heavy because it is a real division ?
Calzaghe has good skills but Rick Thornberry ? Branco Sabot come on these guys were never world class 20 defences lol
maybe you can say 7 live bodies in that lot lol
Everyone deserves to earn a living, which Joe is entitled to - but your right, it does not disguise the fact that, people should fight for honour, to be the best in their division - then the money will come naturally - not line up smaller opponents for a tidy little sum - and then knock them out in your own back yard.
Especially when genuine fully-grown 168 fighters are calling you out, guys who have the equivalent belt - that is what the real fans are demanding - but unfortunately the general public are perhaps unaware of the Kessler's of the world.
The man in the street thinks Joe Calzaghe is a world-wide boxing phenonmina and that young Amir will be the natural successor. That nobody will ever come within an inch of beating them.
People whom i chat with at work, have never heard of John Murray - but the name Kevin Mitchell rings a bell.
Likewise they have heard about Calzaghe - but the name Kessler means absolutely squat to them.
It's about feeding the middle-of-the road boxing fan up a fight whereby they know who the Brit is and they get to see him put a beating on someone.
It boils down to providing entertainment, rather than a competitive sport with risks of losing.
10 months ago the "real fans" were demanding Calzaghe step-up and face the best fighter in the supermiddleweight division - LACY.
I would think the reason Mitchells name but not Murrays would ring a bell with middle-of-the-road fan is because of Mitchell fighting on ITV and being linked with Khan