Calzaghe vs Kessler (February 2007)

[Preme]

I really hope that this fight is made, even if it looks unlikely at present. I feel Calzaghe would be cheating his fans if he doesnt take it.

I hate the petty "No, you come to me" attitude that both camps have displayed (especially as Calzaghe increasingly talks of his 'legacy'). It would be a disgrace if location was the only thing which stopped the unification bout. The obvious thing to do would be to pick a neutral venue in that case - Germany, for example, has a healthy boxing fan base.

Lately Joe has been saying that making super-middle weight is draining him and he wants to move up (talk of facing Woods for his light-heavy belt, for example). Well, the bout with Kessler would be the perfect goodbye to the division. If the fight isnt made, then his legacy will be a nagging doubt as to who was really the best at super-middle, and no-one wants that.

I think/hope he should face Kessler then move up - he owes it to the fans as I feel that he has wasted time since the impressive Lacy win. The Bika fight was awful and he didnt look good at all. True, Bika is a rough and awkward customer, but Joe made himself look stupid with all that ridiculous and severly out-of-place showboating imo.

He should unify all four major SMW belts, then go after Woods and his IBF light-heavy belt - thats another match-up the British fans would drool over. He should drop all talk of RJJ, beating him is nothing these days (hell, Id run Roy close lol), and drop all talk of ever facing Taylor/Wright also - they are always going to be below him weight wise at this stage of his career.

Well in a recent interview calzaghe named kessler as one of the 3 fights that if he could have he would next.. (taylor/hopkins the other to - see El gamos thread about it) - so maybe things are getting closer for them 2 fight, 'coz taylor is fighting soon and wont be ready for the feb/march date set for joe's next fight, hopkins pretty much aint gunna fighting.

I think Kessler is the smart option for joe atm; i don't think much of him personaly, i think hes blown up and by the time joes career is ended the only thing people will remember from that match is calzaghe taking all major belts, after the likes of lacy, young JT (when he moves up) walk through kessler his name on calzaghes resume wont me much; the only real chance i give kessler is if joes hands go, thats it.

You say about taylor and winky not moving up to fight him, i highly highly doubt that! Providing Calzaghe comes through his next fight, and so does taylor, smart money is on those to mixing it up in the US towards the end part of 2007. taylor is a HBO fight, a very hungry young lad, hes gunna wanna take his chance by beating the best at SMW while he can, HBO aint gunna want taylor staying at middle while Joe is at SM wanting to fight him, there would be way to many $$$ in for them!

As for him 'dropping all talk of RJJ' god knows whens the last time joe has spoke of fighting him, last time i heard was RJJ talking about fighitng Joe after he beat lacy...

don't be t shocked if the kessler fight doesn't go through tho, as much as i want that to be Calzaghe's next fight, with HBO not in the frame, it wudn't shock me at all if they are pressing for a calzaghe V some half decent american in order for the 'general boxing fans' in the states have more of an incentive to watch the fight, there for making Joe a bigger name in the us, and HBO being able to cash in more for a Taylor/wright - Calzaghe fight late 2007... i aint saying its right, but thats how boxing works, and lets face it, 42-0, 31 KOs, 19 title Def's 34 yrs old, the guy deserves a chance to make some big money b4 he goes out doesn't he? i think kesslers just a SMw version of WW's toni magrito

[bigragu]

Lets be fair there is no chance of a fight with Kessler. To be honest if Calzaghe took on Andrade I would be more than happy.

I fear it will be probably be someone we have never heard of yet again.

I would love to see this fight happen...if Joe C fights anyone else I will wash my hands of him.....