Quote Originally Posted by dumdane
at least[/u] two thirds of Calzaghe's opponents as a champ. Larsen offered to fight repeatedly - but was constantly ignored. From a broader perspective there's a number of opponents who'd been more worthy than Joe's chosen opponents - but who were ignored as they didnt fit into Fwank and Joe's schemes.

Despite Joe's nine year WBO reign and his obvious skills, he has yet to prove himself. And it's his own (and Fwank's) bloody fault.
Agreed about FW, he's been cotton-wooling his fighters for too long now, but that's a promoter problem, and him not working enough with the other big promoters. It's not that I'm complaining about dodgy decisions in different countries, but as a Calzaghe fan, I don't want him going to Denmark where he will be at a disadvantage. I'd be happy to see Kessler come over here and fight, but he'll have the same mindset, of not wanting to go away from the hordes of adoring fans that he is used to, and going into a really hostile atmosphere in the UK. Which is why I think negotiations about a fight in Denmark are a non starter, it would have to be more than just Calzaghe's biggest payday, but indeed millions more than his biggest payday to make it worth the risk of facing a hostile crowd who, in turn, may influence the referee and scorers. Kessler's people know that Calzaghe won't accept a deal at that level to fight in Denmark, so it is just a smokescreen.

Quote Originally Posted by jangeorg


Kessler just offered Calzaghe the biggest payday of his life: US$ 3,4 mill.

So now that the "only p4p top 10 people" argument isn't doing too well with Joe fighting the likes of Ashira, Bika and Manfredo..

The next argument is the BIG $$$... and the biggest offer in terms of $$$ ?Joe has ever gotten is from.... drumroll.... Big Kess!

I know there are a few other possible defenses that could be conjured up so as to explain how Joe can avoid Kessler - but they will not do better when looked at just a little more closely. Joe is running.. simple.
Mate, fair play for backing up your fighter, but Kessler's bluffing, if he really wants to see and unification fight between him and Calzaghe then he has to start negotiating about a neutral venue, or he has to start putting offers on the table that reflect the risk of a dodgy decision and dodgy refereeing influenced by a baying mob of Kessler fans. Previous payday's have very little to do with it, Kessler's payday for a fight against Calzaghe would also be a huge increase on his best ever, and ultimately, Kessler is trying to embarrass and taunt Calzaghe into coming into his back yard for the fight, and it won't work.