Calzaghe says the Froch fight May happen

[Tam Seddon]

Joe Calzaghe is confident

Sunday November 2,2008
By Niall Hickman


Joe Calzaghe has finally admitted a ‘Battle of Britain’ could go ahead, if both he and Carl Froch win their respective fights before the New Year.

Calzaghe faces Roy Jones Jnr in the small hours of next Sunday morning at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The Welshman has promised to retire from boxing afterwards but now insists he could be willing to delay hanging up his gloves to fight Froch.

Nottingham hero Froch tackles Jean Pascal for the WBC super-middleweight title on December 6 and an impressive victory could trigger a massive all-British showdown, possibly in Cardiff.

“I don’t think there is anything out there for me to prove any longer, but I think you should never say never in boxing,” said Calzaghe. “If Froch wins then who knows? I don’t think he is in my league as a fighter but he would have the WBC title and that is an honour. He’s decent but he has a very stand-up style and he’s easy to hit. He would be beaten, just like every fighter I’ve ever faced.”

Until now Calzaghe has been adamant the Jones fight would be his last, but now the door is ajar for Froch to face the ‘Pride of Wales.’

Nottingham Forest fanatic Froch, 30, would not flinch at going to Cardiff to for the big clash. “I’d be there like a shot,” he said. “My style is made to beat Calzaghe. I’d end his unbeaten run and send him into retirement. Everyone gets old eventually and Calzaghe, as his last performance against Bernard Hopkins showed, is getting past it.”

Calzaghe is hoping for win No 46 against Jones, an American sporting icon, but now 39 years of age and past his absolute prime.

“It’s a huge fight for me and it’s the first time I’ve appeared at Madison Square Garden,” said Calzaghe. “That’s motivation enough. I’d have loved to have fought Jones many years ago but this is still unfinished business.

“He is the only opponent out there who can give me a battle at light-heavyweight and yet, after beating Bernard Hopkins after stepping up from super-middle, I’m even more confident in my ability.

“Roy Jones likes to be a showman and he likes to dazzle which will play right into my hands. At least he won’t bore to tears everyone like Hopkins does. Jones comes to win and so do I which means it is going to be a terrific match-up.”

Former middle, super-middle, light-heavy and heavyweight world champion Jones is in the twilight of his career.

But after three straight losses in 2004 and 2005 he has recovered with three straight wins and in his last outing he delivered a near-perfect display in beating the once-great Felix Trinidad on points in January.

And Jones is supremely confident that he has the weapons to beat Calzaghe.

“I don’t have to match Joe’s output. I just have to find the punch to knock him out. I’ll win the fight – no question. I’m not certainhow, but I’m going to win it.

“Hopkins was too cautious with Calzaghe and that was his goal, to stay upright. My job is to come out of there with a victory.”





Lets hope both men win their next fights and hopefully we can see this fight happening. I was unsure at the start that this fight would happen because I was pretty set on JC retireing if he beat RJJ. But he must still have a bit of hunger left in him, I think he will have his hands full against Froch and he shouldnt underestimate him in the slightest. Carl Froch would be the hardest hitting fighter hes ever fought IMO and if he says hes lacking motivation and only is fighting for the money...Carl Froch is the complete opposite. Hatton-Tszyu anyone?

I think Carl can upset the odds if he beats Pascal on 6th December, I think hes a lot more hungry than JC at this stage of both of their careers and I wouldnt be surprised if Froch can upset the odds

Froch Ko late rounds IMO.

[Kev]

CmonI'm a Froch fan myself but it would be a massive upset were he to KO Calzaghe.

That simply is not going to happen......

[Tam Seddon]

Why not though ? Carl hasnt ever really came against sombody who can hit as hard as Froch. Lacy's power is overrated, it was rated so highly by the Americans because they wanted JC to be scared of him. JC will have constant pressure on him for 12 rounds and he has been caught before. Carl is awesome at finishing fights off, I admit he is big underdog here, but I can see an upset happening.

[yvonne]

Ive mentioned this before not soo long ago,that all Froch has to do if he beat Pascal is to call out Calzaghe LIVE on t.v straight after the fight with Pascal and if Calzaghe remains undefeated then Calzaghe will give us brits and the rest of the world a great match up with Froch!It would be a AWESOME fight for sure.I hope it happens

[Clanger]

Calzaghe would definitely eat canvas against Froch. He can bang with both hands and is very effective and strong when countering. Not super quick, but he makes that up with accuracy.

Would Joe lose though? not sure.

[littlebif]

Calzaghe would definitely eat canvas against Froch. He can bang with both hands and is very effective and strong when countering. Not super quick, but he makes that up with accuracy.

Would Joe lose though? not sure.

Calzaghe has a great chin and to say that he will definitely hit the canvas is stupid.I see Calzaghe taking a wide UD as he would pepper Froch's face with his hand speed and get out of range,as Froch is defence is poor.But CF will always have a punchers chance.

[Dark Lord Al]

Why not though ? Carl hasnt ever really came against sombody who can hit as hard as Froch. Lacy's power is overrated, it was rated so highly by the Americans because they wanted JC to be scared of him. JC will have constant pressure on him for 12 rounds and he has been caught before. Carl is awesome at finishing fights off, I admit he is big underdog here, but I can see an upset happening.

Is Froch fighting himself ?

[Mar]

...the roy fight "is" going to happen, loose and many won't care who joe fights next.

[eagle]

Why not though ? Carl hasnt ever really came against sombody who can hit as hard as Froch. Lacy's power is overrated, it was rated so highly by the Americans because they wanted JC to be scared of him. JC will have constant pressure on him for 12 rounds and he has been caught before. Carl is awesome at finishing fights off, I admit he is big underdog here, but I can see an upset happening.

Is Froch fighting himself ?

Well from listening to him, u can tell he plays with himself, so why not take it to the next level and fight himself.....

Tam would be on here saying how Froch is scared of Froch, Froch has never felt the power of someone like Froch, after Froch beats Froch he will be top at 168 etc....

[Dark Lord Al]

Why not though ? Carl hasnt ever really came against sombody who can hit as hard as Froch. Lacy's power is overrated, it was rated so highly by the Americans because they wanted JC to be scared of him. JC will have constant pressure on him for 12 rounds and he has been caught before. Carl is awesome at finishing fights off, I admit he is big underdog here, but I can see an upset happening.

Is Froch fighting himself ?

Well from listening to him, u can tell he plays with himself, so why not take it to the next level and fight himself.....

Tam would be on here saying how Froch is scared of Froch, Froch has never felt the power of someone like Froch, after Froch beats Froch he will be top at 168 etc....

Funny thing is , if Carl Froch was matched with Carl Froch , one of him would pull out injured.

[Wayne]

Why not though ? Carl hasnt ever really came against sombody who can hit as hard as Froch. Lacy's power is overrated, it was rated so highly by the Americans because they wanted JC to be scared of him. JC will have constant pressure on him for 12 rounds and he has been caught before. Carl is awesome at finishing fights off, I admit he is big underdog here, but I can see an upset happening.

No. Lacy's power isn't overrated. He hits exactly as hard as he seems. But none of that matters when you can't make contact. I've never seen this Froch guy, but my guess is he'll lose. His initials are JC for a reason.

[Tam Seddon]

Froch: It won't be easy for Joe

Published: Sunday, 2 November 2008, 2:10PM

Unbeaten Nottingham star Carl Froch goes for WBC world super-middleweight title glory live on ITV 1 in December when he meets Canadian slickster Jean Pascal.

However 'The Cobra' took time out from his own busy training schedule in Ireland to give his feelings on how big domestic rival Joe Calzaghe's fight with Roy Jones will go in New York next week and also clarify his own position on a potential multi-million pound showdown with the Welshman in 2009.

ITV: Joe Calzaghe is boxing Roy Jones in New York next weekend. The bout is getting the big build up in the media right now but is it a fight that really excites you as a boxing fan?

CF: It's an exciting fight. It's happening a bit late in their respective careers I suppose definitely but it is still Roy Jones Jnr we are talking about. If he can pull back at least 50% of his old skill and that magic he used to have Calzaghe will be in a lot of trouble. It's an interesting fight because I think that Calzaghe is past his best as well. He struggled against Hopkins. I'm not impressed by his work in his last couple of fights I think he has struggled. That fight was close and I felt the judge that gave it to Hopkins was the correct judge. It's still a decent enough fight for the fans though as you've got an old legend fighting against someone who is looking to hang the gloves up so it's one that I'm definitely going to be watching with interest.

ITV: Roy was a wonderful athlete in his prime but he is admittedly a few years removed from his best now. What does the 39-year-old version of Roy Jones have to do to get his hand raised in New York?

CF: He has got to keep himself out of range. Calzaghe is not a devastating puncher. He just has a good engine and throws lots of shots. When he is in range he just throws a hundred shots and he batters the life out of you. Critics say that he slaps and while I don't totally agree with that I don't think Joe is a big puncher now because of all the problems he has had with his hands. But he throws a lot of shots when he is in range. He works in close and peppers his opponents, tries to overwhelm them and catch the judges eye. Roy has got to try and control the fight from the outside with his jab. He's done this for most of his career and I think Roy is a genius in the ring but it's all about what he has left. You said he is 39 but I'm sure he is 40 or 41 because I know he used to train with Robert McCracken. But you know if Roy Jones can produce just 50% of what he used to, and I mean just 50%, and he can maintain it, then I think he's got a great chance on the night.

ITV: The Welshman reckons he'll stop Jones but do you honestly feel he punches hard enough to become just the third man after Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson and KO the American?

CF: I can't see that no. I don't think he hits hard enough. If it was a younger Calzaghe then maybe he might have stopped an old Roy Jones but my money wouldn't be on that. Although of course you never know in boxing do you?

ITV: Calzaghe had said this will be his final fight but he has dropped one or two hints in the media just recently that we might see him again in 2009. He claims there are no challenges out there but provided you do the business and win the WBC super-middleweight title against Jean Pascal surely a fight between you two could be absolutely mega for next year?

CF: Too right. It's definitely a valid fight. I'd have his old belt. Everyone knows I've been trying to get a fight with Calzaghe for the past 18 months. I'd be the WBC champion. We'd both be unbeaten and what better way for him to end it that a fight against a young gun coming through who is now at the very top of his game? It's a fight people want to see. Honestly it's all people talk about when I walk around Nottingham. It's the first question they ask. It's a massive, massive fight going back to the Benn and Eubank days. It's on that type of scale

ITV: There were even reports in the media this week suggesting your promoter Mick Hennessy has offered Joe £5million to box you. What can you tell us about those rumours?

CF: If you have read something saying that Mick says he has put down a £5million offer for me to fight Calzaghe then he has obviously sat down with the TV companies and discussed it. Nothing has been made totally official at this stage but the conversation has taken place and it's all about getting the finances in place to make this fight happen. A fight between me and Calzaghe would definitely generate massive revenue. Gate receipts alone would be huge. Then you have got the TV revenue coming in. All the advertising on top of that. You know it's realistic, a £5million offer. Although it's not been put down on paper yet it's a genuine offer that he worked out and will hopefully be put to Calzaghe after he does his job against Roy Jones.

ITV: Joe admits it's all about the cash for him at this stage of his career but I get the impression that the money is secondary for you at this stage and you just genuinely want to test yourself and prove to the world you are the real deal?

CF: Of course. That's exactly what it is. Becoming undisputed champion and beating the best means the money comes with that anyway but I'm not motivated by that. I just want to be recognized internationally by all the other top fighters and the fans. I want the world's best to be saying 'Yeah that Froch's a decent fighter', gain their respect and get my 'pound-for-pound' ranking up. When a man starts talking about how much money he is earning before he fights and that he is fighting for this amount and that amount then for me you can tell he is getting towards the end of his career. You can't blame him though. He has been a good servant to the game. A pro for 11 or 12 years and I guess he just wants to get what he can. He's made some good money from the sport but I don't think he is a multi-millionaire in the way say a 'Prince' Naseem Hamed was so I guess he's looking at banking a few quid and turning it in.