Calzaghe & Macca head to New York

[ICB]

Joe Calzaghe and Enzo Maccarinelli will fly to America next week in another bid to woo the US audience.
The Welsh world champions will attend a media gathering in New York on Tuesday.

"This is an excellent chance to build their profile further in the US after last week's wins got great figures on TV there," said promoter Frank Warren.

The news comes as Dane Mikkel Kessler's promoters have stepped up the campaign for Calzaghe to fight him, claiming it is the bout the public is demanding.

A super middleweight unification battle between WBO & IBF champion Calzaghe and WBA & WBC holder Kessler is a possibility, perhaps in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in February or March.

Joe's popularity in the US is growing all the time and Enzo can be a star because he's so exciting

Frank Warren

But that would need more selling to the US public than a bout with a fighter who is well established across the Atlantic, Bernard Hopkins being Calzaghe's preferred option.

To land such an encounter, Calzaghe would almost certainly have to fight in the States, something he has been reluctant to do in the past.

New WBO cruiserweight champion Maccarinelli would, meanwhile, love the chance to fight in America, although that would probably need to be on a Calzaghe undercard.

Bonymaen-man Maccarinelli has named WBC & WBA title-holder O'Neil Bell - acknowledged as number one in the division - as his primary target.

"Obviously Joe is well known in America because of his previous fights on US TV, but his popularity is growing all the time," said Warren.

"I think Enzo has the potential to become a real star as well because he is so exciting to watch.

"He's one of the best punchers in the world and a really nice guy to boot, and now is his chance to kick on from the win over Mark Hobson."

[superheavyrhun]

Well it's about time Frank.

Hmm, when it comes to FW, it's hard to tell which way he'll swing. I have a feeling that this might indicate Joe is going to try and make a superfight over there in the states, rather than trying to make the biggest fight with Kessler. Except for turning to the $$$, I don't see how a fight against an old RJJ, or an even older Bernard Hopkins can benefit his legacy, because surely he has made enough money. Even his divorce didn't exactly leave him on the breadline did it? He's got to be looking at his legacy, and telling FW to get those filthy money-grabbing hands off the American dollar. It might be right in 6 months, but not before a fight with Kessler.

[Mattyhitman]

Well it's about time Frank.

Hmm, when it comes to FW, it's hard to tell which way he'll swing. I have a feeling that this might indicate Joe is going to try and make a superfight over there in the states, rather than trying to make the biggest fight with Kessler. Except for turning to the $$$, I don't see how a fight against an old RJJ, or an even older Bernard Hopkins can benefit his legacy, because surely he has made enough money. Even his divorce didn't exactly leave him on the breadline did it? He's got to be looking at his legacy, and telling FW to get those filthy money-grabbing hands off the American dollar. It might be right in 6 months, but not before a fight with Kessler.

Agreed mate. I feel Joe really needs to take out Kessler before he can entertain the american boxing public on their own soil. After taking care of business in Kessler, then go stateside for the last two or so years left of his career. If/when Joe goes stateside who will be left for him to fight. As we know Hopkins wont be interested in the a fight, and i see no point in Joe taking on a shot RJJ. The only other real options i see are Winky and Taylor, but will they see Joe as a viable option??
Joe should have been fighting in the states for the last few years IMO.

[Big Daddy]

Joe will fight Kessler next and do a number on him (#2). Joe will take Kessler to the cleaners in March and then fight someone in the states in mid / late 2007. Don't count on in not being Hopkins, Makaev is making a voluntary in December and then the winner of Peters / Toney. If Calzaghe bets Kessler, which I think he will, old B-hop may not be able to resisit it.

[Memphis]

I really hope your right mate. Joe has complained at having no rivals through his career. Well now he has one and he needs sorting.

[Fenster]

Well if Cazlaghe's next fight is in the States it wont be against Kessler.....Maybe FW doesn't see that as a bad thing

[superheavyrhun]

Well if Cazlaghe's next fight is in the States it wont be against Kessler.....Maybe FW doesn't see that as a bad thing

OMG....it's a conspiracy theorist. You're not suggesting *shock, horror* that FW likes to keep his fighters wrapped in cotton wool? Sorry, of course you're not, FW is known for risking everything on his fighters winning tight bouts.

[Fenster]

Well if Cazlaghe's next fight is in the States it wont be against Kessler.....Maybe FW doesn't see that as a bad thing

OMG....it's a conspiracy theorist. You're not suggesting *shock, horror* that FW likes to keep his fighters wrapped in cotton wool? Sorry, of course you're not, FW is known for risking everything on his fighters winning tight bouts.

So who do you think Joes Feb/March fight will be then?

If its America (wont be) I say one of those Contender guys.

If its UK (will be) I say Glen Johnson or Brian Magee.

[Memphis]

It wont be Kessler. Frank works on the basis that he is sharing sweets with a stupid kid. One for you (Lacy) three for me(££)

[Fenster]

It wont be Kessler. Frank works on the basis that he is sharing sweets with a stupid kid. One for you (Lacy) three for me(££)

Course it wont.

Fights that make perfect sense to boxing fans sure don't to promoters.

[superheavyrhun]

It wont be Kessler. Frank works on the basis that he is sharing sweets with a stupid kid. One for you (Lacy) three for me(££)

Course it wont.

Fights that make perfect sense to boxing fans sure don't to promoters.

I think Team Palle have done the right thing in trying to taunt Warren into brokering deal on the fight. As well as being obsessed with money, he is also a blatant self-publicist and likes getting on the TV himself, and most importantly, he likes to view himself as the undisputed king of European boxing. And this appearance by Team Palle is going to be grating on him, and hopefully, his ego will be bruised enough to make the fight.
Otherwise, in the states, I can see Jermaine Taylor or RJJ. Hopkins won't take the fight, and the Contender bozo's just aren't big enough names. In the UK, I could imagine seeing Carl Froch, Glen Johnson maybe, Clinton Woods if his RJJ fight doesn't come off, or maybe that German Stieglitz guy, who is the IBF mandatory.

[sexydarin]

I think Calzaghe should take Winky Wright as first choice. This would be a major prestige fight. I wouldn't take Taylor first because his last few wins were highly disputed. he does not rank higher than Winky Wright, in prestige factor.

[ICB]

I think Calzaghe should take Winky Wright as first choice.  This would be a major prestige fight.  I wouldn't take Taylor first because his last few wins were highly disputed.  he does not rank higher than Winky Wright, in prestige factor.

wright is middleweight his facing ike in december then has got unfinished buisness with taylor plus i dont think supermiddleweight would suit him