Calzaghe on the upcoming Super six fights and other stuff...

JOE CALZAGHE SAYS: I back Haye to topple Valuev

12:30pm Friday 16th October 2009
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THOUGH at the moment my life is less about boxing and more about foxtrotting, there is just so much going on in the sport I love it’s impossible not to talk about it.
It’s an exciting time for boxing, with some big fights coming up, though as ever, there are some horrible reminders of what an unforgiving sport it can be.
First up is the super middleweight Super Six tournament, where six boxers, our own Carl Froch, my former foe and now friend Mikkel Kessler, Americans Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Andre Ward and Arthur Abraham will battle it out over the coming months. It will lead to a final and one man rightly declaring himself the best super middleweight out there.
People keep asking me whether I regret not being in it, as well as who I want to win. I am happy to set the record straight here.
I have mixed feelings on not being involved. Certainly, at the age I am, and with all I have achieved in my career, I am glad I am not fighting, because those days are gone, I am retired and intend to stay so.
But do I regret this tournament didn’t happen five years ago? Absolutely. Before I fought Jeff Lacy I was in no-man’s land at times and something like this, which I would have won, would have put me on the map big time.
In terms of who I want and expect to win, that’s tricky.
The best thing for British boxing would be a Carl Froch win, I am sick of him talking about me and don’t want to put him down anymore, he’s got a lot of heart, is a big-hitter and deserves great credit for his career.
He’s very vulnerable as he doesn’t really defend too much, but I expect him to beat Andre Dirrell on Saturday and to go fairly well in this. I wish him the best of luck, but if a year of inactivity hasn’t affected Mikkel Kessler too badly, he’s head and shoulders the best fighter in the tournament. I don’t fancy Froch’s chances if he faces Kessler, but I wish him well anyway.
I also hope to see another big night for British boxing in a couple of weeks when David Haye takes on giant Nikolay Valuev, in Germany, where he’s going to have to go some to get a decision!
I fully expect David to win this fight, I personally don’t rate the seven-foot Valuev at all, he struggled last time out against Evander Holyfield who is well and truly shot.
David will have to adapt his strategy and make sure he is not mauled by the giant, but I think it’s a much better fight for David than going in against one of the Klitschko brothers. I think he’s going to bring a world title back to Britain.
One heavyweight who won’t do that is Audley Harrison, who still doesn’t convince me after his Prizefighter victory.
I’ve only read about it, but I haven’t heard very good things and still think he lacks heart. It was a shame Danny Williams – a great friend of mine – saw his career end in a whimper, but like I said at the start of this column, boxing can be so cruel. At least Danny is still healthy though.
I am distraught to hear that Midlander Howard Clark, who was boxing as recently as 2007, has dementia and will never be able to work again, suffering with his speech and vision, at just 42-years of age. Again it shows just how punishing and cruel boxing can be. When people wonder why I am so adamant I am not returning, they should remember stories like these. My thoughts go out to Howard and his family and I hope his benefit night tonight is a huge success.
There is barely room for me to mention the Calzaghe Promotions Show set for the Newport Centre on November 20, but I will discuss that next week in these pages in far greater detail later, with Bradley Pryce and the returning Tony Doherty headlining the bill.
I would also like to highly recommend a DVD out next week, called Undefeated, the story of, well me!
It features my full fight against Roy Jones and is a two-disc special, something I am immensely proud of.



JOE CALZAGHE SAYS: I back Haye to topple Valuev (From South Wales Argus)


Very very sad about Howard Clark my best wishes to him and his family.

one thing about Calzaghe is his honesty, he has a dry sense of humour and I like him now he's gone lol

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Originally Posted by rjj tszyu

one thing about Calzaghe is his honesty, he has a dry sense of humour and I like him now he's gone lol

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He has a dry personality if you ask me, not exactly one of the most charismatic fighters there's been. I've probably started to dislike him more since he's gone bizarrely, used to be a fan.

Would have been amazing if Joe could have been in there, just a couple of years ago it would have been one hell of a tournament(not that it already ain't)
Good read, cheers!