Big Blow for Joe, Injury Scumpers homecominb but the show must go on

[Purist]

http://www.fightnews.com/1163.htm

BIG BLOW FOR JOE

A hand injury has ruled out Joe Calzaghe from his triumphant Homecoming at the Millennium Stadium on July 8.

The WBO & IBF World Super-Middleweight Champion damaged his left hand, the same hand in which he broke a bone in against Evans Ashira last September, in a training session this week.

Calzaghe is absolutely devastated that the injury has once again held up his career and his dream of headlining at the Welsh landmark.

Despite Calzaghe's withdrawal, Frank Warren's super show at the Millennium Stadium will still go ahead with a superb six-title fight card including the highly anticipated Heavyweight rematch between Danny Williams and Matt Skelton, Swansea's KO King Enzo Maccarinelli leads the Welsh charge along with the explosive shoot-out between Gary Lockett and Ryan Rhodes for the WBU Middleweight title. Newport's Bradley Pryce defends his Commonwealth crown and Tony Doherty and Taz Jones once again square off for the Celtic championship, which ended in such controversial circumstances last time. The Millennium Stadium will also see the return to Welsh soil of boxings hottest young prospect Amir Khan.

Calzaghe encountered the same problem in the build up to his fight against Jeff Lacy in March when he injured the left hand in training and missed out on a week of training and considered withdrawing. However, the 34-year-old pressed ahead and put on what has been described as the finest display of ring-craft ever performed by a British fighter.

Despite his faultless showing - in which he hit IBF king Lacy a staggering 1006 times - his masterful performance did come at a cost as he suffered a hairline fracture in the eighth round.

After a re-occurrence this week, Calzaghe sought immediate specialist advice and although he has not broken the bone, the injury is severe enough for him to have been ordered to rest the hand and delay his comeback until the autumn.

Promoter Frank Warren said, "Like everyone else involved in the promotion, I am really disappointed that Joe has had to withdraw because of this latest injury. After medical consultation he has been advised to rest so we are looking at Joe returning to action in the autumn. Although Joe's withdrawal is a blow, I'm delighted to say that the show will still go ahead and we have a fantastic line up at the Millennium Stadium with Williams v Skelton, Maccarinelli, Rhodes v Lockett and young Amir plus a top quality undercard. This is still a massive, massive show and I am sure the Stadium will still witness Wales' greatest ever boxing show."

Ticket-holders who attend the Millennium Stadium on 8th July will be given an added incentive as, if they retain their used ticket, they will be given a voucher that will entitle them to a 10% discount on a ticket for Joe Calzaghe's ring return in the autumn.

Why does this always happen right before he fights Glen Johnson I'm starting to think that because all these "prospects" looked bad in their fights that he couldn't fight them so he broke his hand Seriously Gutted and PISSED about this!!

[Purist]

How much you want a bet that Calzaghe retires from these hand injuries

[chrisbird13]

It would be more than acceptable to retire from it, if he doesn't have his hands he can't really box can he now!

And I am sure that you said it tongue in cheek but I don't think he did break his hand on purpose

[Gandalf]

im gutted by this, i was really thinking it was calzaghe's chance to shine with the attention all upon him...

again, unfortunate johnson has to be the guy on the recieving end of a no show again....

this is very sad, and the recurrent injuries very worrying....

[Purist]

I think that he will retire from these hand injuries and that he'd be satisfied with the win over Lacy and an undefeated record which they will say his career was shortened by hand injuries, "what could have been"

[bigragu]

Joe needs to use a bigger glove on that left hand to protect it....Like a 18oz or 20oz glove...I know it would throw off his game a little....with the added weight and all.........but it would save his hand....don't they have this knowledge?...what the hell!!!

[bigragu]

How much you want a bet that Calzaghe retires from these hand injuries

I think this is a ploy to get Kessler.... but I'm not saying anything more....

[BIG H]

I think that he will retire from these hand injuries and that he'd be satisfied with the win over Lacy and an undefeated record which they will say his career was shortened by hand injuries, "what could have been"

You don't know much about the man if you think that!!

[smashup]

I do know he rarely spars these days but at his age time is running out.
What a f*cking shame this has happened and for me it takes the excitement out of this fantastic bill.
Glad i never forked out for a ticket to be honest.
GUTTED FOR HIM

[Wacko3205]

I think that he will retire from these hand injuries and that he'd be satisfied with the win over Lacy and an undefeated record which they will say his career was shortened by hand injuries, "what could have been"

I'll agree with that & I wouldn't fault the man.

Anyone know what carpaltunnel syndrome is?

Imagine living with that annoying shat...then imagine trying to muster up the strength to open the lid on a fwockin pickle jar.

Joe should get no flack for wanting to save his hands so that he can hand out those dollar dollar bills that he earned breaking em apart.

[amat]

This kind of reminds me of Vitali. Well, it could be a prelude to that sort of thing anyways.

[Gandalf]

This kind of reminds me of Vitali. Well, it could be a prelude to that sort of thing anyways.

dont say that!!! i can imagine it too, but i really dont want it to happen....

joe has all this skill, but we lose because of these hands...

its very frustrating....he's very good...