IBF set to strip Calzaghe's belt

[killersheep]

Wales' super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe is expected to be relieved of his IBF title.

Calzaghe, who also holds the WBO belt, has been told to agree to fight the IBF's number one contender Robert Stieglitz by December.

That seems unlikely to fit into the long-reigning champion's plans.

"It would bother me to lose the title, but business is business and I want the biggest fights and the most money," Calzaghe told BBC Sport Wales

"I don't think it's fair that Stieglitz should wait any longer," said IBF championship committee chairman Lindsey Tucker, whose organisation has put the potential Calzaghe-Stieglitz bout out to purse bids.

"He earned his right to fight for the IBF title and I want to see him get his shot next."


source: BBC Sports Wales

[Preme]

Just one more reason why there should only be one belt.

[Kev]

Who? I've never heard of him.

Suprises me Joe has turned him down as his total anonymity would normally make him a very attractive proposition to the Calzaghe team.

Maybe Frank Warren has an even less well know opponent in mind :P

[Punisher136]

Just one more reason why there should only be one belt.

i agree. drop all the abc bs belts but then there'd be a huge fight over which council would be in control of the money and fights. Only way to fix it is to disband all the current groups and make up a new unified one.

[Preme]

would be nice if people considerd the ring mag the belt, and the 4 ABC belts sort of contender shot for thering mag belt, tbh though i can't see this ever being resolved now.

[MGG]

Calzaghe should fight some of the top fighters like Hopkins, Taylor and even Kessler would be interesting matches.

[ICB]

Calzaghe should fight some of the top fighters like Hopkins, Taylor and even Kessler would be interesting matches.

hopkins is retired calzaghe wanted to fight hopkins ages ago it was all set up and when they were about to sign hopkins suddenly wanted alot more money and i mean alot more taylor has unfinished buisness at middleweight only fight that can happen is kessler but doesnt look like thats going happen

[shza]

"It would bother me to lose the title, but business is business and I want the biggest fights and the most money," Calzaghe told BBC Sport Wales

Right, like Sakio Bika and Peter Manfredo.

[Hairdoo]

Who? I've never heard of him.

Suprises me Joe has turned him down as his total anonymity would normally make him a very attractive proposition to the Calzaghe team.

Maybe Frank Warren has an even less well know opponent in mind :P

He won't have any choice but to fight Taylor soon and Taylor will probably catch old Joe just at the right time too.

[BrooklyniteQueen]

I'd only respect Calzaghe if he dropped the IBF belt to fight Kessler. NOT Manfredo

[El Kabong]

Joe is talented but he is a HABITUAL rehab fight maker!

I broke my hand, I need a warm up fight

I have had a long layoff, I need a warm up fight

....if you can beat the guy, just friggin fight him!

[Punisher136]

would be nice if people considerd the ring mag the belt, and the 4 ABC belts sort of contender shot for thering mag belt, tbh though i can't see this ever being resolved now.

Its kinda like that now. To my knowledge the person who has the ring belt in their respective division is the recognized champ regardless of what belts they own but usually they have atleast 2 of the main 4.