Calzaghe, let's show a little respect...

[CutMeMick]

Oh! and not only that but he still has the nerves to say hes on his way to breakin Joe Louis record.... That shet! makes me sick...

[ono]

I'm an infrequent poster, but the criticism of Joe Calzaghe on this site (and others) has provoked me into a response. Basically, I think people need to stand back a little bit and get some perspective.

Calzaghe's record clearly speaks for itself: W 42 (31 ko's) | L 0 | D 0, a two belt world champion (and yes I know he's had to give one up) a Ring Magazine champion, he features on most of the respected pound for pound listings and he's the longest current reigning world champion.

I am inclined to agree we those that say however, that unless he fights Kessler or another truly big name, we won't know how good he really is, and whether he will go down in history as a truly great fighter, or merely a very good one.

But, lets get some perspective. In the final analysis, we can't judge a mans career until he hangs up his gloves. Yes, Manfredo isn't the most challenging fight for him out there, but so what? It will help raise his profile, (particularly in the US) and will help pave the way for the make the 'clash of the titans' fights we all crave. And why begrudge him of making a little money before thowing himself into the eye of the storm? In my opinion he's earned it (particularly as his ex-wife near cleaned him out in the divorce courts).

Another point. To all the people demanding to know why Calzaghe hasn't thought Kessler, Wright etc... Do you really appreciate how difficult is is to make these fights? We don't what fighters are really demanding to make a fight, despite what they claim. But I sincerely don't doubt for a minute that Joe would fight Kessler next week if the deal on the table the deal was good enough....

Lastly, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think we should show a little respect for fighters like Calzaghe. Boxing is a very, very tough and dangerous sport. You don't get to the top without being extremely talented, dedicated, courageous and a being a world-class athlete to boot. So unless all of you posters are ex-world champion boxers yourselves, less have a little bit more respect for the man, whether or not you agree with all of his choices.

I see you have a perfect cool click to sad click ratio. Allow me to change that. Sad click!

how sad ..

At least he had the balls to tell him he was sad clicking him, I can't say I agree with this guys post about Calzaghe but I wouldn't sad click him for it, actually I think the cool/sad clicks should be abolished.

Calzaghe will earn my respect when he steps up to the plate and fights someone of real merit without making them fight him with 40,000 Calzaghe fans behind him, all the American boxing fans already know him but if he wants us Americans to appreciate him he better get over here and fight someone we consider a great fighter. He doesn't even have to do that, he could grow some balls and unify the titles on neutral soil. Until he does that he's just another fighter taking the easy fights to build a record. I thought that was what new fighters did, build a record agains't lesser opponents and then step it up to better competition until they got a title shot. Calzaghe's going backwards losing the respect of his own countryman and us Amercans while Manfredo is gaining the respect of Joes own people. To bad for Joe, this fight does nothing but harm him, win or lose.

When has that ever happened. Manchester is in England and Calzaghe is from Wales (different country). There was 12,000 there for the lacy fight.

[Preme]

Oh! and not only that but he still has the nerves to say hes on his way to breakin Joe Louis record.... That shet! makes me sick...

people keep going on about the as if Joe keeps talking about how he is going to, or wants to brake it, when hes spoken about actually NOT wanting to brake it... Christ now Joes at fault for NOT losing... You can use it as an excuse now, but even if he was fighting kessler next, and won; you would still be pissed he was closing into Louis record...

Once again people talk about how he fights at home when he has left the UK... Hopkins and RJJ never left the US and none of you haters talk about that...

When i first joined this board i could understand the scepticism about Calzaghe... but now i find it hard to take most replies on the Calzaghe threads serious, people seem to put on another face when they post in a Calzaghe thread, much the same way alot do to mayweather as well. There have been a hell of alot of people criticise Calzaghe for things they defended the likes of Hopkins, RJJ, Mayweather and others over...

[CutMeMick]

It's very simple...

Why Manfredo?

[WWatt]

I'm an infrequent poster, but the criticism of Joe Calzaghe on this site (and others) has provoked me into a response. Basically, I think people need to stand back a little bit and get some perspective.

Calzaghe's record clearly speaks for itself: W 42 (31 ko's) | L 0 | D 0, a two belt world champion (and yes I know he's had to give one up) a Ring Magazine champion, he features on most of the respected pound for pound listings and he's the longest current reigning world champion.

I am inclined to agree we those that say however, that unless he fights Kessler or another truly big name, we won't know how good he really is, and whether he will go down in history as a truly great fighter, or merely a very good one.

But, lets get some perspective. In the final analysis, we can't judge a mans career until he hangs up his gloves. Yes, Manfredo isn't the most challenging fight for him out there, but so what? It will help raise his profile, (particularly in the US) and will help pave the way for the make the 'clash of the titans' fights we all crave. And why begrudge him of making a little money before thowing himself into the eye of the storm? In my opinion he's earned it (particularly as his ex-wife near cleaned him out in the divorce courts).

Another point. To all the people demanding to know why Calzaghe hasn't thought Kessler, Wright etc... Do you really appreciate how difficult is is to make these fights? We don't what fighters are really demanding to make a fight, despite what they claim. But I sincerely don't doubt for a minute that Joe would fight Kessler next week if the deal on the table the deal was good enough....

Lastly, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think we should show a little respect for fighters like Calzaghe. Boxing is a very, very tough and dangerous sport. You don't get to the top without being extremely talented, dedicated, courageous and a being a world-class athlete to boot. So unless all of you posters are ex-world champion boxers yourselves, less have a little bit more respect for the man, whether or not you agree with all of his choices.

I see you have a perfect cool click to sad click ratio. Allow me to change that. Sad click!

how sad ..

At least he had the balls to tell him he was sad clicking him, I can't say I agree with this guys post about Calzaghe but I wouldn't sad click him for it, actually I think the cool/sad clicks should be abolished.

Calzaghe will earn my respect when he steps up to the plate and fights someone of real merit without making them fight him with 40,000 Calzaghe fans behind him, all the American boxing fans already know him but if he wants us Americans to appreciate him he better get over here and fight someone we consider a great fighter. He doesn't even have to do that, he could grow some balls and unify the titles on neutral soil. Until he does that he's just another fighter taking the easy fights to build a record. I thought that was what new fighters did, build a record agains't lesser opponents and then step it up to better competition until they got a title shot. Calzaghe's going backwards losing the respect of his own countryman and us Amercans while Manfredo is gaining the respect of Joes own people. To bad for Joe, this fight does nothing but harm him, win or lose.

When has that ever happened. Manchester is in England and Calzaghe is from Wales (different country). There was 12,000 there for the lacy fight.

Yeah, and 11,500+ of those were Welshmen who had made the long trip up to Manchester.

[Preme]

It's very simple...

Why Manfredo?

When it first came out i was thinking Manfredo camp was talking crap, Kessler was the right move.. but after reading and eharing alot this is what i broken it down to...

(like anyhting there are 2 sides to stroys, and what is in the papers isn't always True..)

1. Kessler offerd Calzaghe $3.4 to fight in DENMARK, now hand on heart can anyone one of you honestly say you would be pissed if hopkins had turned down his biggest payday to fight his 20th def out side the US? Calzaghe is a very proud fighter - his 20th def would be in and only in Wales... its not even in england who have much mcuh better boxing venues (ask anyone whos been to the Melenium stadium - its a rugy/footy pitch..)

2. HBO told him they want him to fight an american... he has already lost 2 HBO contracts by braking his hands in the past with fights agasint people liek reid, back when HBO wanted to build him up to fight RJJ, now he has a Mega fight in the states with Taylor almost in his grasp, i highly doubt he is going to piss off HBO and say he wants Kessler...

3. Calzaghe could only fight one person to keep his IBF belt and that wasn't Kessler. The $3.4M deal with Kessler was for Joe and Him to fight holding all 4 belts... Joe couldn't do that, and neither could Kessler as they both had mandetories that had been put off already by the sounds of it... again hard to seperate truth from rumors here, or what warren and palle have said to the truth...

4. Even if Calzaghe did go on to beat Kessler, he would have to vacate 3 of the 4 belts before he could fight taylor...

5. Team Kessler offerd Calzaghe $3.4m - yes... but even asking for the fight to be over there was a joke and wasn't a case of warren being in the driving seat. No dissrespect but Kessler is a very small name... he has had 30 seconds on HBO thats it, he gets about 7k people at his fights at home, and HBO just don't seem interested in him 'coz he aint gunna be champ for long. Calzaghe on the other hand will be well in with HBO after this fight, should sell around 30-40 K tickets in a country like Wales, that is tiny, i mean our country is smaller than 90% of the states alone in the Us lol... after sales, TV rights and what nots Calzaghe should make somewhere close to the $3m march the third...

6. Lets say Kessler is actualy one of the Elite. Now Calzaghe and kessler get in the ring, It goes 12 rounds, calzaghe wins a 7-5 say UD simply because Kessler is that good.. unless its an exciting fight the US people watching will put both fighters down leadingot his dream Mega match witha Taylor/hopkins looking slimer or on a lesser stage...

For those 6 reasons and my opinion of Kessler being way overrated, and with the talent in there i think he gets beat, and fairly soon - i back Calzaghe for this decision. Hes never ducked a fighter before, he took on Lacy, constently called out Hopkins and RJJ and made it crystal clear he would take the fight there, so if people think hes scared of Kessler and ducking him, then you must think kessler beats Hopkins and RJJ in the us

[CutMeMick]

Well... thats a nice post with a bunch of boxing politics....

Fact of the matter is when your the chump champ like Joe you're suppose to be in the driver seat, and have control of whom YOU fight.....

MAB didn't have to fight Rocky a second time, ODLH himself gave him 3 names (not including Rockys) and MAB told ODLH no thank you but I wan't to fight Rocky a second time. MAB was even adviced that he didn't have to figh Rocky and there were other BIGGER names out there for him to fight.... MAB still insisted until he convinced ODLH/GBP to convince HBO to let the 2nd match go.

When a fighter want's something and is out to prove hes the best theres no excuses.... You make the fight happend.

About loosing belts, being at home and all that well he could have offered to fight in neutral grounds or something. But anyways to me thats all boxing politics and like i said when a fighter is out to prove hes the best he'll do it anywhere....

[Preme]

Well... thats a nice post with a bunch of boxing politics....

Fact of the matter is when your the chump champ like Joe you're suppose to be in the driver seat, and have control of whom YOU fight.....

MAB didn't have to fight Rocky a second time, ODLH himself gave him 3 names (not including Rockys) and MAB told ODLH no thank you but I wan't to fight Rocky a second time. MAB was even adviced that he didn't have to figh Rocky and there were other BIGGER names out there for him to fight.... MAB still insisted until he convinced ODLH/GBP to convince HBO to let the 2nd match go.

When a fighter want's something and is out to prove hes the best theres no excuses.... You make the fight happend.

About loosing belts, being at home and all that well he could have offered to fight in neutral grounds or something. But anyways to me thats all boxing politics and like i said when a fighter is out to prove hes the best he'll do it anywhere....

your comparing MAB to Calzaghe? an already cert to be an ATG and HoF? Barrera can fight an unknown and have ti in Vegas if he wants... Calzaghe still can't even be a main event in the US, the compareson is way different lol One is a guy who has made it big in the us, had t shirts printed saying he made it big, and those very t shirts went out of style hes been big there that long, while the other has had just ONE HBO fight to date - as for the rest of your post, well thats just ifs and maybes.. Joe has vacated his belt to fight the one HBow ant him to, whos to say Kessler would of vacated his belt, or fight out side of denmark? he said he would but the onlyoffer iv seen was for denamrk and no where else - and still bullsh*t his 20th def should be in his home country just like every other fighter i know who went that far done it (possibly some big stars done it in america im not certain)

[Violent Demise]

It's very simple...

Why Manfredo?

When it first came out i was thinking Manfredo camp was talking crap, Kessler was the right move.. but after reading and eharing alot this is what i broken it down to...

(like anyhting there are 2 sides to stroys, and what is in the papers isn't always True..)

1. Kessler offerd Calzaghe $3.4 to fight in DENMARK, now hand on heart can anyone one of you honestly say you would be pissed if hopkins had turned down his biggest payday to fight his 20th def out side the US? Calzaghe is a very proud fighter - his 20th def would be in and only in Wales... its not even in england who have much mcuh better boxing venues (ask anyone whos been to the Melenium stadium - its a rugy/footy pitch..)

2. HBO told him they want him to fight an american... he has already lost 2 HBO contracts by braking his hands in the past with fights agasint people liek reid, back when HBO wanted to build him up to fight RJJ, now he has a Mega fight in the states with Taylor almost in his grasp, i highly doubt he is going to piss off HBO and say he wants Kessler...

3. Calzaghe could only fight one person to keep his IBF belt and that wasn't Kessler. The $3.4M deal with Kessler was for Joe and Him to fight holding all 4 belts... Joe couldn't do that, and neither could Kessler as they both had mandetories that had been put off already by the sounds of it... again hard to seperate truth from rumors here, or what warren and palle have said to the truth...

4. Even if Calzaghe did go on to beat Kessler, he would have to vacate 3 of the 4 belts before he could fight taylor...

5. Team Kessler offerd Calzaghe $3.4m - yes... but even asking for the fight to be over there was a joke and wasn't a case of warren being in the driving seat. No dissrespect but Kessler is a very small name... he has had 30 seconds on HBO thats it, he gets about 7k people at his fights at home, and HBO just don't seem interested in him 'coz he aint gunna be champ for long. Calzaghe on the other hand will be well in with HBO after this fight, should sell around 30-40 K tickets in a country like Wales, that is tiny, i mean our country is smaller than 90% of the states alone in the Us lol... after sales, TV rights and what nots Calzaghe should make somewhere close to the $3m march the third...

6. Lets say Kessler is actualy one of the Elite. Now Calzaghe and kessler get in the ring, It goes 12 rounds, calzaghe wins a 7-5 say UD simply because Kessler is that good.. unless its an exciting fight the US people watching will put both fighters down leadingot his dream Mega match witha Taylor/hopkins looking slimer or on a lesser stage...

For those 6 reasons and my opinion of Kessler being way overrated, and with the talent in there i think he gets beat, and fairly soon - i back Calzaghe for this decision. Hes never ducked a fighter before, he took on Lacy, constently called out Hopkins and RJJ and made it crystal clear he would take the fight there, so if people think hes scared of Kessler and ducking him, then you must think kessler beats Hopkins and RJJ in the us

1. Don't give me this "his 20th defense would be in Wales and only Wales" cuz that's where almost all his defenses are
2. So there is no risk of Calzaghe breaking his hand against Manfredo?
3. Manfredo is not Joe's mandatory. Yet he's still fighting him.
4. So what? Belts mean nothing. He would go in against Taylor as the undisputed Super Middleweight champion. That means more than any belt.
5. Who cares were the fight is. Joe would benefit more by going into Denmark and knocking him out in his own back yard
6. Unless Joe loss, the fights would still happen.

Go ahead and come up with more excuses if you want

[Mattyhitman]

Alot of people who have posted on this thread have dissed Joe for the opposition he has faced, and for the opposition he has not faced.


So who should Joe fight next to attain the credit he wants, and the credit to appease the masses?

If he fought Taylor and won, then he's just beaten a middleweight, if he loses ( which i doubt ) then he's a bum.

Hopkins... If Calzaghe wins against Hopkins he is either a blown up middleweight ( and yes i do appreciate he beat Tarver ),or over the hill. Again if he loses he's a bum.

Is Kessler the only option for Joe?

[Preme]

Is Kessler the only option for Joe?

nop, coz should he beat Kessler, kessler would be an unproven overrated hometown fighter...

[Mattyhitman]

Is Kessler the only option for Joe?

nop, coz should he beat Kessler, kessler would be an unproven overrated hometown fighter...

True.

So who then ?

[CutMeMick]

Is Kessler the only option for Joe?

nop, coz should he beat Kessler, kessler would be an unproven overrated hometown fighter...

And beating Manfredo proves what, exactly?

[CutMeMick]

Well... thats a nice post with a bunch of boxing politics....

Fact of the matter is when your the chump champ like Joe you're suppose to be in the driver seat, and have control of whom YOU fight.....

MAB didn't have to fight Rocky a second time, ODLH himself gave him 3 names (not including Rockys) and MAB told ODLH no thank you but I wan't to fight Rocky a second time. MAB was even adviced that he didn't have to figh Rocky and there were other BIGGER names out there for him to fight.... MAB still insisted until he convinced ODLH/GBP to convince HBO to let the 2nd match go.

When a fighter want's something and is out to prove hes the best theres no excuses.... You make the fight happend.

About loosing belts, being at home and all that well he could have offered to fight in neutral grounds or something. But anyways to me thats all boxing politics and like i said when a fighter is out to prove hes the best he'll do it anywhere....

your comparing MAB to Calzaghe? an already cert to be an ATG and HoF? Barrera can fight an unknown and have ti in Vegas if he wants... Calzaghe still can't even be a main event in the US, the compareson is way different lol One is a guy who has made it big in the us, had t shirts printed saying he made it big, and those very t shirts went out of style hes been big there that long, while the other has had just ONE HBO fight to date - as for the rest of your post, well thats just ifs and maybes.. Joe has vacated his belt to fight the one HBow ant him to, whos to say Kessler would of vacated his belt, or fight out side of denmark? he said he would but the onlyoffer iv seen was for denamrk and no where else - and still bullsh*t his 20th def should be in his home country just like every other fighter i know who went that far done it (possibly some big stars done it in america im not certain)

Was merely stating that when a fighter want's to make somehting happened he will, HBO didn't want him fifghting Rocky again and said NO, ODLH had to go back in there and make it happen, cause MAB wanted it to happen.

As a fighter you gotta have some control over your career afterall it is your azz in that ring right?

[Preme]

Is Kessler the only option for Joe?

nop, coz should he beat Kessler, kessler would be an unproven overrated hometown fighter...

And beating Manfredo proves what, exactly?

nothing, but it gets him the mega fight with Taylor that he wants, gets to main event a Us fight for mega money - beat the guy who beat the guy