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CALZAGHE WARNS LATEST CONTENDER..... JOE SPEAKS
CALZAGHE WARNS LATEST CONTENDER
Nov 23 2006
JOE CALZAGHE will hope to lay the foundations for the kind of pay-per-view blockbuster which will define his career when he takes on The Contender star Peter Manfredo in Cardiff next March.
Calzaghe is heading for New York where next week he will officially announce the 20th defence of his WBO super-middleweight title against Manfredo, a runner-up in the popular reality TV boxing show.
Having already disposed of highly-rated IBF champion Jeff Lacy in unforgettable fashion last March, Calzaghe knows an equally emphatic win over Manfredo can only enhance his trans-Atlantic profile.
Beyond the Manfredo fight – set for his home city’s Millennium Stadium on March 3 – lies the prospect of a multi-million dollar showdown with reigning world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor.
Calzaghe will not look past the classy 25-year-old Manfredo, who holds a record of 26 wins and three defeats, and is coming off an emphatic third-round victory over The Contender rival Joey Spina.
But the champion warned: “There is a world of difference between being a reality TV star and a world champion boxer. He has only seen the glitz and glamour of the sport – now he is in for the real thing.”
“From what I have seen, he is a good, tough kid and is well known in America. But this is my 20th defence and ninth year as champion, and he is not going to spoil that.”
Manfredo emerged as one of the stars of last year’s highly successful first series of The Contender, affording him the public profile which in turn guaranteed title fights and inflated purses.
But his camp are eager to point out that Providence native Manfredo – who holds a record of 26 wins from 29 bouts – is far more than simply a television star.
“Calzaghe thinks this is an easy fight,” said The Contender promoter Jeff Wald. “I think he sees Peter as a reality TV guy and will take him lightly. That would be a mistake.”
Calzaghe’s decision to face Manfredo will come at a price, as he is likely to be stripped of the IBF version of the world title he took from Jeff Lacy last March.
Robert Stieglitz is overdue a mandatory shot at the IBF crown but Calzaghe will lose little sleep over swerving the little-known German in favour of a much higher-profile contest.
Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan is expected to feature on the undercard in a bout broadcast by the Home Box Office, which will also guarantee him significant US coverage for the first time.
CALZAGHE WARNS LATEST CONTENDER
Joe Calzaghe will hope to lay the foundations for the kind of pay-per-view blockbuster which will define his career when he takes on The Contender star Peter Manfredo in Cardiff next March.
Calzaghe is heading for New York where next week he will officially announce the 20th defence of his WBO super-middleweight title against Manfredo, a runner-up in the popular reality TV boxing show.
Having already disposed of highly-rated IBF champion Jeff Lacy in unforgettable fashion last March, Calzaghe knows an equally emphatic win over Manfredo can only enhance his trans-Atlantic profile.
Beyond the Manfredo fight – set for his home city’s Millennium Stadium on March 3 – lies the prospect of a multi-million dollar showdown with reigning world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor.
Calzaghe will not look past the classy 25-year-old Manfredo, who holds a record of 26 wins and three defeats, and is coming off an emphatic third-round victory over The Contender rival Joey Spina.
But the champion warned: “There is a world of difference between being a reality TV star and a world champion boxer. He has only seen the glitz and glamour of the sport – now he is in for the real thing.”
“From what I have seen, he is a good, tough kid and is well known in America. But this is my 20th defence and ninth year as champion, and he is not going to spoil that.”
Manfredo emerged as one of the stars of last year’s highly successful first series of The Contender, affording him the public profile which in turn guaranteed title fights and inflated purses.
But his camp are eager to point out that Providence native Manfredo – who holds a record of 26 wins from 29 bouts – is far more than simply a television star.
“Calzaghe thinks this is an easy fight,” said The Contender promoter Jeff Wald. “I think he sees Peter as a reality TV guy and will take him lightly. That would be a mistake.”
Calzaghe’s decision to face Manfredo will come at a price, as he is likely to be stripped of the IBF version of the world title he took from Jeff Lacy last March.
Robert Stieglitz is overdue a mandatory shot at the IBF crown but Calzaghe will lose little sleep over swerving the little-known German in favour of a much higher-profile contest.
Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan is expected to feature on the undercard in a bout broadcast by the Home Box Office, which will also guarantee him significant US coverage for the first time.
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Originally Posted by miles
Yeah, way to conquer America.. You know, don't actually fight there, or anyone good, but has no problem flying over to promote this farce. Such a piss off, Calzaghe KEssler would be a great fight and I think Joe would win.... But as far as I'm concerned he's blowing his chance.
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