CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
I'm starting to think that if Joe hadn't f*cked about with the Manfredos of this world and gone to the US years ago and built up his profile he'd (Warren) be able to command and offer a much higher purse to whoever he wants to fight. :-\
Nevertheless he utterly dominates Taylor in every department if they ever do meet 8)
Joe Calzaghe
Calzaghe's camp still have to up their offer to secure Jermain Taylor
Joe Calzaghe's chance of a lucrative super-fight with American star Jermain Taylor is moving closer to reality.
Frank Warren, WBO super middleweight holder Calzaghe's promoter, had offered Taylor $4m, while the middleweight star's camp said they wanted $10m.
But Taylor's promoter Lou DiBella told BBC Radio Wales' Back Page programme they were now prepared to take $6m.
"A $4m offer was ridiculous and frankly Frank asked for more money guaranteed on Joe's side," DiBella said.
Although there is still a significant gap between the two camps' valuations, a deal could even be thrashed out next weekend providing Taylor beats Cory Spinks.
Calzaghe will be ringside at the Fed-Ex Forum in Memphis on 19 May to watch the 28-year-old from Little Rock defend his WBC and WBO titles.
Our preference is to fight Calzaghe, we've indicated we're even willing to go to Cardiff or London to make the fight happen
Jermain Taylor's promoter Lou DiBella
Taylor won his titles from middleweight legend Bernard Hopkins and earned $6m from his draw against Ronald "Winky" Wright last June.
That has set the money standard that Calzaghe's US backers, cable television network HBO, must match if the 35-year-old Welshman is to entice Taylor up to super middleweight.
"If HBO pays the same money they paid for the Winky Wright fight, I will take US television (revenue) and let Frank keep the gate, the sponsorship, and the British and other international TV," DiBella said.
"But HBO needs to pay that $6m, that's what we're looking at.
"Right now Frank says there's no money in the pot from all those other revenue sources and I'm saying that I'm certainly not cutting in on the US revenue if that's the case.
"You're moving a fighter up in weight against the very best man at that weight and you're going into the lion's den to do it.
"It's difficult but Jermain's beaten Hopkins twice, drew with Winky Wright and defended his title five times, four at middleweight.
"It would be tough in Joe's backyard but we're not (previous Calzaghe victims) Peter Manfredo Jr or Jeff Lacy.
Jermain Taylor
Jermain Taylor must first defend his titles against Cory Spinks
"Joe's a great, great fighter, but he's never left his home turf and he's never beaten a great, great fighter."
Calzaghe believed that his last defence, a three-round destruction of Manfredo in front of 35,000 spectators at the Millennium Stadium, could well have been his last in Britain.
But DiBella said that Taylor is prepared to come to the UK for the fight, paving the way for another huge night in Cardiff.
Manfredo was most famous for being the runner-up in the first US series of boxing reality TV show 'The Contender', but was given no realistic chance of causing an upset on Calzaghe's 20th defence.
But a match-up with a genuine contender such as Taylor could see ticket sales rocket.
"I don't want to look past the Spinks fight, but obviously Joe Calzaghe looms on the horizon as a possible opponent if I can get Frank Warren to make a fair deal with me," DiBella added.
"HBO does not believe that Jermain Taylor and Joe Calzaghe is as big a fight as Jermain Taylor and Winky Wright was, so we're not able to get the same licence fee from HBO.
"Based on the numbers we have right now we can't make a fight, we're about $1m apart.
"Our preference is to fight Calzaghe, we've indicated we're even willing to go to Cardiff or London to make the fight happen, but we're not willing to take on unfair economic terms."
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
I'm tellin ya...Warren could make or break Calzaghe with this Taylor thing. He seems to have already scuttled any hopes of a Kessler match...take the Taylor fight & then move on to bigger & better things like the winner of Hopkins Wright.
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
He's got to beyond any doubt,times running out for JC so even if he takes a pay cut..JUST TAKE THE F*CKING FIGHT JOE.
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smashup
He's got to beyond any doubt,times running out for JC so even if he takes a pay cut..JUST TAKE THE F*CKING FIGHT JOE.
Agreed. Even if he was only earning $2 million to fight Taylor, it'd still pay for many a night with Shaun the Sheep. :lickish:
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
Since the Lacy fight Joe constantly states that his 'Lagacy' is whats important so take a little pay cut for Taylor and prove it i say.
When he's done slapping jermain about then he moves into the serious $$$.
It's that simple really,either that or ditch Warren O0
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smashup
Since the Lacy fight Joe constantly states that his 'Lagacy' is whats important so take a little pay cut for Taylor and prove it i say.
When he's done slapping jermain about then he moves into the serious $$$.
It's that simple really,either that or ditch Warren O0
You're talking about a guy who has fought Evans Ashira, Sakio Bika & Peter Manfredo. After those 'super' fights, surely he's already cemented his legacy.
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
We should forget about Calzaghe and a superfight it aint happening trust me ;)
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
And you know this how exactly..? ::**
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smashup
And you know this how exactly..? ::**
Does it ever happen they talk a good superfight
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smashup
And you know this how exactly..? ::**
Crystal ball m8. Lots of people on this board have 'em ::**
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tysonbruno
We should forget about Calzaghe and a superfight it aint happening trust me ;)
Just wait and see imo it looks good if Taylor doesn't ask for more money and they said there willing to come to the UK there should be no problems.
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
Agree and i seriously think this will happen 8)
Great platform for Joe to after the winner of Winky/Hopkins O0
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
If he fights in a superfight next i will eat my own hat ;D
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smashup
Agree and i seriously think this will happen 8)
Great platform for Joe to after the winner of Winky/Hopkins O0
Yea if this fight comes through he could go after winner of Winky and Hopkins and then to top it off how about Kessler fight ?? we can all dream ;D
Re: CALZAGHE v TAYLOR -- If HBO pay $6million IT'S ON.
How long does Frank Warren think that Calzaghe is gonna fight for? There's no need to protect a 35 year old investment. Now's the time to cash in and make the big fights before he loses his skills due to age.
