Calzaghe cools Kessler's claims

[ICB]

Mikkel Kessler's boast that he is the best super middleweight in the world has been dismissed by Joe Calzaghe.
WBA champion Kessler meets WBC king Markus Beyer in a unification bout in Copenhagen on Saturday and says he has "no doubt" that he is the world's best.

WBO & IBF champion Calzaghe meets Sakio Bika in Manchester on the same night.

"Kessler's the second-best super middle in the world, but I see myself beating him, like anyone else at the weight," said undefeated Welshman Calzaghe, 34.

"I fancy Kessler to beat Beyer convincingly, so we will wait to see if the two of us fight further down the line.

"Obviously I don't want to go to Denmark and fight him, the same as he doesn't want to come to Britain, but we'll have to wait and see."


I'm the best super middleweight in the world and I'm ready to fight anyone to prove that

Mikkel Kessler

Newbridge-man Calzaghe holds a proud record of 41-0 (31 KOs), and - having held the WBO belt since 1997 and made 18 defences - is the longest reigning current world champion in the sport.

Copenhagen's Kessler, 27, is also undefeated with a record of 37-0 (28 KOs) since turning professional in 1998.

'The Viking Warrior' stopped Manny Siaca for the WBA belt in 2004 and has since defended successfully against Anthony Mundine and Eric Lucas.

"In my opinion there is no doubt that I am the best super middleweight in the world and I'm ready to fight anyone to prove that," said the Copenhagen man.

"And to Calzaghe: Let's meet and find out! But right now the only thing on my mind is Beyer."

Bika's going to find out that I am in a different league to Beyer

Joe Calzaghe on Sakio Bika

Calzaghe's next opponent Bika fought out a technical four-round draw with Beyer in his last outing, the bout stopped by a cut under the latter's right eye caused by an accidental headbutt.

"Bika was very unlucky with the draw, I think he might have gone on to win that fight," said Calzaghe.

"But he's going to find out that I am in a different league to Beyer, full stop.

"Bika's a good fighter, he's strong, he comes forward, he likes to try and land big punches - and that's good for me.

"I always fight better against authentic fighters and I don't think he's going to stand back, he's going to come to fight and you will see a great fight."

Bika, 27, was born in Cameroon but is now based in Australia.

He holds a record of 20-1-2 (13 KOs) since turning professional in 2000, his only defeat a points loss to Sam Soliman in 2002.

[belsher]

who do you think kessler or calzaghe. naturally cazaghe would b my 1st choice

[superheavyrhun]

Well, within 6 nights time, we'll all be eagerly awaiting to see what happens in these two vital bouts for the SMW division. Apparently the americans will try and claim the glory saying Manfredo Jr/Spina is important too, but beyond these two, it is really little more than a footnote. IF all goes as expected, Calzaghe with breeze through a bout with a fighter who was fairly well matched with Beyer, and it seems that he will lose, as will Beyer if it goes to form.

The big question is, IF it goes that way, will Calzaghe look to defeat Kessler, or will he look inwards for a domestic fight with Clinton Woods at LH, or even look stateside for a moneyspinner against an RJJ or a Hopkins bout. He's holding all the cards at the moment, and I'm hoping he won't settle for a pair when he can it the 'royal' flush with a bout against Kessler. According to his previous comments, he'll have two more to go after this bout, so I hope it will be Kessler then Clinton Woods then a glorious undefeated retirement. IF all goes well.

[bigragu]

who do you think kessler or calzaghe. naturally cazaghe would b my 1st choice

Joe C all day long.....Kessler hasn't fought half the compatition as Joe C..

[superheavyrhun]

who do you think kessler or calzaghe. naturally cazaghe would b my 1st choice

Joe C all day long.....Kessler hasn't fought half the compatition as Joe C..

But also, I believe that that is one of the criticisms often levelled at Calzaghe himself by people who don't believe him to be all that his record would suggest. There aren't enough names on his record. If you look at who has been around, with the exception of RJJ, there weren't that many players around that Calzaghe could have fought that he didn't. Ottke was happy to retire undefeated, and the whole Glen Johnson thing was unfortunately not to be. If Johnson wanted that fight so bad, I'm sure it could have been made after Joe recovered from his first injury.