Honest Joe Calzaghe expresses why handpicked opponents.

[JonesJrMayweather]

I love this article...and best part about it, is that is by a UK reporter...

I am the best, says honest Joe

By David Smith, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 26.06.03 Add your view

When Joe Calzaghe insists he is a better boxer than Lennox Lewis, the temptation is to brand him as an arrogant upstart. Lewis, after all, recently gloried in the ultimate accolade of "undisputed heavyweight champion of the world".

Even now, having relinquished two of his three major titles and escaped with a lucky win against Vitali Klitschko, the Londoner is still considered the unofficial king of boxing's blue riband division.

But Calzaghe isn't overly impressed. "Obviously Lewis is bigger than me," he says. "But he's not better than me. I honestly believe I'm the best boxer in Britain."

If Calzaghe had made his point with a sneer in the manner of Naseem Hamed, or with a haughty dismissal to the contrary as was Chris Eubank's habit, you could be forgiven for hoping he gets his comeuppance against Byron Mitchell at Cardiff International Arena on Saturday.

But there probably isn't a more honest exponent of his sport, and it is even possible to concede that the 31-year-old Welshman might be right. Since starting out as a professional in 1993 Calzaghe has done everything asked of him.

He has won all his 35 fights, 28 by knockout. And he has reigned as the World Boxing Organisation's super-middleweight champion since outpointing Eubank in a career-defining duel five and a half years ago.
Against American Mitchell, twice a world champion at 12 stones, Calzaghe will be making a 13th defence of the WBO belt. In addition, this will be his first ring appearance since being awarded the MBE.

All in all, there is plenty to crow about. Yet Calzaghe's confession to an aversion to travel, and concerns about a future match with the brilliant Roy Jones Jnr, confirms he has a grip on reality.

It is notable that all but one of Calzaghe's fights have taken place in Britain, while three of his last five appearances have been right on his front doorstep in Cardiff.

"Yes," he agreed. "I'm a family man who likes his home comforts. But I've realised my career is stagnating. I'm not getting the fights I want and I'm not getting them as often as I should."


Part of Calzaghe's problem is that he is simply too good for his own good. Sven Ottke, Germany's unbeaten holder of the WBA and IBF titles, refuses to entertain a unification fight while other opponents want too much money.

Calzaghe's answer is to move up to light-heavyweight, even if it means leaving home for the United States where he believes an attacking southpaw style would win many new admirers.

But light-heavy just happens to be Jones's domain, even though the American has temporarily made a successful transition to Lewis's class.
"I could probably give Jones a tough fight, probably the best fight he's ever had," said Calzaghe. "But I know my capabilities and unless I got paid the crown jewels I wouldn't want to risk it."
There's honesty for you.


I am the best, says honest Joe | Sport | This is London

[Kel]

Bit old innit? The article I mean?

[JonesJrMayweather]

Bit old innit? The article I mean?

Yep..the point is to highlight that he was full aware of Jones being over the hill when chose to fight him...where in 2003 he knew he'd get blasted.

[AdamGB]

There's a fairly interesting quote about RJJ at the bottom... not really a revelation though.

The closer to Roy's prime Joe was the higher the chance he'd lose to Roy... he's basically just saying that back when RJJ was the shit it would have had to of been a perfect deal for him to fight him in a new weight class?

[AdamGB]

Bit old innit? The article I mean?

Yep..the point is to highlight that he was full aware of Jones being over the hill when chose to fight him...where in 2003 he knew he'd get blasted.

Get blasted?

Did he not just say that he'd give him the best fight he'd ever had Did I miss something

[Kel]

Bit old innit? The article I mean?

Yep..the point is to highlight that he was full aware of Jones being over the hill when chose to fight him...where in 2003 he knew he'd get blasted.

Ah right I see, I thought it was something he said after retirement. Safe to say both Jones and Calzaghe thought it was too risky a fight to make as they both stated it. Strange really, Hopkins and Toney were just as risky for Jones.

[JonesJrMayweather]

Bit old innit? The article I mean?

Yep..the point is to highlight that he was full aware of Jones being over the hill when chose to fight him...where in 2003 he knew he'd get blasted.

Get blasted?

Did he not just say that he'd give him the best fight he'd ever had Did I miss something

He say's "I'd probably give him the toughest fight BUT, I know my capabilities (LIMITATIONS) so unless I'm paid a shit load of money I ain't risking it"

That's sounds like someone clearly knowing that his chances of beating someone will be slim...even the reporter interpreted that way...

Much Like Roy asking for 100million to fight Lennox...the money will have made up for the beating..or the loss

[superheavyrhun]

He say's "I'd probably give him the toughest fight BUT, I know my capabilities (LIMITATIONS) so unless I'm paid a shit load of money I ain't risking it"

That's sounds like someone clearly knowing that his chances of beating someone will be slim...even the reporter interpreted that way...

Much Like Roy asking for 100million to fight Lennox...the money will have made up for the beating..or the loss

Seems a bit tenuous to base your theory of how the article was slanted on one word? Couldn't you also interpret it as: "I know my capabilities (skills), so unless I get a career high payday for a career defining fight, I'm not risking it."

The fact that the reporter has interpreted it in one way, doesn't mean he hasn't just adapted an article around the words that Joe used to make it appear a certain way. After all, "I want a fair price" isn't as interesting as "I think I'd lose, so pay me loads of money."

Once Jones Jr's star was waning, and Calzaghe would bring him the big dollars, that's when he really got interested in the bout.

[Kirkland Laing]

Yep..the point is to highlight that he was full aware of Jones being over the hill when chose to fight him...where in 2003 he knew he'd get blasted.

Get blasted?

Did he not just say that he'd give him the best fight he'd ever had Did I miss something

He say's "I'd probably give him the toughest fight BUT, I know my capabilities (LIMITATIONS) so unless I'm paid a shit load of money I ain't risking it"

That's sounds like someone clearly knowing that his chances of beating someone will be slim...even the reporter interpreted that way...

Much Like Roy asking for 100million to fight Lennox...the money will have made up for the beating..or the loss

Capabilities is how good you are at something. Not the same as limitations. He's simply saying he's worth top dollar for the fight. Jones used to say exactly the same thing when asked about the fight. They both were pretty similar in their responses over the years which shows the elvel of respect they had for each other's ability, but in general Jones' money demands meant Calzaghe was never going to accept the deal. Calzaghe did agree to fight Hopkins five years ago and Hopkins agreed to the fight but then used money to duck out of it.

[JonesJrMayweather]

He say's "I'd probably give him the toughest fight BUT, I know my capabilities (LIMITATIONS) so unless I'm paid a shit load of money I ain't risking it"

That's sounds like someone clearly knowing that his chances of beating someone will be slim...even the reporter interpreted that way...

Much Like Roy asking for 100million to fight Lennox...the money will have made up for the beating..or the loss

Seems a bit tenuous to base your theory of how the article was slanted on one word? Couldn't you also interpret it as: "I know my capabilities (skills), so unless I get a career high payday for a career defining fight, I'm not risking it."

The fact that the reporter has interpreted it in one way, doesn't mean he hasn't just adapted an article around the words that Joe used to make it appear a certain way. After all, "I want a fair price" isn't as interesting as "I think I'd lose, so pay me loads of money."

Once Jones Jr's star was waning, and Calzaghe would bring him the big dollars, that's when he really got interested in the bout.

fair enough...

but i was really looking at the entire statement...

"I could probably give Jones a tough fight, probably the best fight he's ever had," said Calzaghe. "But I know my capabilities and unless I got paid the crown jewels I wouldn't want to risk it."

too many words synonymous with having doubt for me to see it as you stated as possibility. as opposed to this

“But I will fight Jeff Lacy, regardless of money, regardless of anything else, it's a fight I definitely want.”

Those are too extremely different quotes but both in regards to a fight with a "dangerous" opponent according to Joe...

Im not a calzaghe basher i just dont believe he'd stood a stance against pre '03 jones

[superheavyrhun]

fair enough...

but i was really looking at the entire statement...

"I could probably give Jones a tough fight, probably the best fight he's ever had," said Calzaghe. "But I know my capabilities and unless I got paid the crown jewels I wouldn't want to risk it."

too many words synonymous with having doubt for me to see it as you stated as possibility. as opposed to this

“But I will fight Jeff Lacy, regardless of money, regardless of anything else, it's a fight I definitely want.”

Those are too extremely different quotes but both in regards to a fight with a "dangerous" opponent according to Joe...

Im not a calzaghe basher i just dont believe he'd stood a stance against pre '03 jones

I think Calzaghe v prime Jones would have been the most competitive he would have been involved in at the time, and I'd give Calzaghe a chance, though wouldn't put money on it.

I see where you're coming from on that statement re the words used, but as a former journo myself, I know they and editors may smudge a word or two to get the best angle for a story, and if it's not recorded, but written in shorthand, it's an easy "mistake" to make.

[JonesJrMayweather]

fair enough...

but i was really looking at the entire statement...

"I could probably give Jones a tough fight, probably the best fight he's ever had," said Calzaghe. "But I know my capabilities and unless I got paid the crown jewels I wouldn't want to risk it."

too many words synonymous with having doubt for me to see it as you stated as possibility. as opposed to this

“But I will fight Jeff Lacy, regardless of money, regardless of anything else, it's a fight I definitely want.”

Those are too extremely different quotes but both in regards to a fight with a "dangerous" opponent according to Joe...

Im not a calzaghe basher i just dont believe he'd stood a stance against pre '03 jones

I think Calzaghe v prime Jones would have been the most competitive he would have been involved in at the time, and I'd give Calzaghe a chance, though wouldn't put money on it.

I see where you're coming from on that statement re the words used, but as a former journo myself, I know they and editors may smudge a word or two to get the best angle for a story, and if it's not recorded, but written in shorthand, it's an easy "mistake" to make.

Isn't that all we ask? Not for someone to agree just understand the point of view...

[rjj tszyu]

Lets just face it. Jones in his pomp would have given Calzaghe hell. That's why he waited until he was about to turn 40 before he fought him.