Clive Bernath: Calzaghe vs Kessler Must Happen Now!

http://www.eurosport.com/boxing/british-news/2005/sport_sto1130684.shtml

By Clive Bernath: US fight fans and boxing writers finally witnessed Saturday night what most of Europe already knows - Mikkel Kessler can fight.


The 28 year old ’Great Dane’ is fast building a reputation as the best ever fighter to come out of Scandinavia and on Saturday night at the Parken Stadium in Kessler’s home city of Copenhagen, Denmark, he produced a masterful and controlled performance when unanimously out-pointing the previously unbeaten Mexican hard man Librado Andrade.


Impressive wins over Manny Siaca (tko 8), Anthony Mundine (pts 12) and Markus Beyer (ko 3) have positioned the WBC and WBA champion into arguably the world’s No.1 168lbs fighting machine. But the win over Andrade could prove more significant than all the aforementioned because Kessler displayed his skills on American network HBO for the first time and I’m told he impressed the influential suits at the broadcaster’s headquarters in New York.


Of course undefeated Welshman and WBO titleholder Joe Calzaghe, 42-0-(31), will dispute the aforementioned as he truly believes he is the rightful No.1. You can’t argue, though, with the fact that Kessler has fought and beaten more creditable foe’s than Britain’s longest reigning world champion.


Kessler,39-0-(29), and his promoter Mogens Palle have publicly pursued a unification clash with Calzaghe ever since the Danish boxer won his first world title but for whatever reason obstacles have been put in the way. I recall a conversation I had with Mogens about six months ago and he assured me he was willing for Kessler to come to Wales and face Calzaghe as long as the money was right. Earlier today (March 26) I received an email from Mogen’s daughter, Bettina reiterating what her father had verbally said to me months earlier, ’If Frank (Warren) is willing to pay we will go anywhere’. Warren is of course Calzaghe’s promoter and Bettina was demonstrating her willingness to make Calzaghe vs Kessler a reality.


Assuming 35 year-old Calzaghe comes through a routine title defense against ’reality tv star’ Peter Manfredo Jr on April 7 then there must be no more excuses, this fight MUST happen, it is a massive fight for Europe, arguably the biggest and most evenly poised fight in the last 15 years.


Fighters of the highest standard like Calzaghe and Kessler are always looking to test their skills against the very best and you can bet your life that there is no other fight out there that would motivate them more than against each other. Another reason this fight must happen sooner rather than later is because at the age of 28 Kessler is fast approaching his peak while Calzaghe, who turned 35 on March 23, still retains the incredible hand speed and work-rate that has seen him defend his title a record 19 times. The fight should be made while this remains the case.


I fear, though, that the fighters respective promoters will fail to agree terms for this fight to take place anytime soon. Both promoters feel that their man is the bigger draw and that such a big fight belongs in their respective countries. There is also the important matter of who will command the lions share of the financial rewards. Again, both men will argue for their man and rightly so. Warren will argue that Calzaghe is the established champion and the better known of the two while Palle will counter by insisting his man is a double champion and beaten better opposition. Whatever, this fight must happen, maybe HBO can step in to try and make this fight happen so boxing fans from all around the world can witness what would indeed be a mouth-watering encounter.


March 26, 2007

I agree, it is a fight that needs to happen. Both fighters have had a shot on HBO and the global awareness is more than ever. Kessler has proven he deserves a shot at Calzaghe IMO and its the fight I wish to see above all others. I hope politics can abate and let a potentially great bout take place...

This reminds me of Bowe vs Lewis two of best in divison but won't fight eachother Calzaghe needs to fight Kessler its must he doesn't even have to move up in weight this is fight fans want and if Calzaghe wins he will stop doubter's plus both men are underfeated adds bit of spice to it i really hope it happens but i have feeling it won't

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

This reminds me of Bowe vs Lewis two of best in divison but won't fight eachother Calzaghe needs to fight Kessler its must he doesn't even have to move up in weight this is fight fans want and if Calzaghe wins he will stop doubter's plus both men are underfeated adds bit of spice to it i really hope it happens but i have feeling it won't

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Hopkins doesnt care less about Calzaghe and Taylor aint stepping up any time soon. Calzaghe has few options really. A Kessler fight is perhaps more likely than we like to think...

There will be more money in it than most of Calzaghes fights...he should take it...

If Calzaghe doesn't hurry up and take this fight, what's to stop Hopkins, Taylor or Winky from fighting Kessler instead of him, if one of them is interested in mixing it up at 168 ??? I think Joe overrates his own stature in a way, thinking all he needs to do is fight MAnfredo on TV to have everyone lining up to fight him. Not to mention Kessler may take the rings top spot if he hasn't already, with one more meaningful fight.