Hobson issues £100,000 side bet to lure Calzaghe

By Clive Bernath: Dennis Hobson, the promoter of IBF light-heavyweight king Clinton Woods, has offered a £100,000 side bet to rival promoter Frank Warren in an attempt to lure IBF/WBO super-middleweight king Joe Calzaghe into an all British world title fight.

Speaking to SecondsOut earlier today Fight Academy boss Dennis Hobson said he is willing to put his money where his mouth is in an attempt to provide British boxing fans with the biggest and most eagerly awaited domestic fight since the ferocious and bitter clashes between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank in the early 1990s.

"I fancy the fight, I know Clinton does and I believe both Joe and his father Enzo do as well so now its only up to Frank Warren to say yes," said a confident Dennis Hobson.

"This is a natural fight between two of the biggest names in British boxing and I'm willing to issue a side bet of £100,000. I'm willing to put the fight on or we'll do a joint promotion but there is no excuse for this fight not to happen.

"Calzaghe vs Woods would be a pay per view success. It would be like Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank all over again. This fight makes perfect sense and both Joe and Clinton would make a lot of money.

"I'm willing to put £100,000 on Clinton winning, and lets face it, with Joe looking so good in beating Jeff lacy, there's no reason why Frank should not take up the challenge."

Woods and Calzaghe were due to face each other after Woods dropped a unanimous decision to American Glen Johnson in 2004. Dennis Hobson said that he had signed a contract to fight Calzaghe on a Frank Warren promoted card but Calzaghe was instead steered towards defending his WBO super-middleweight crown.

Then when Woods won the vacant IBF light-heavyweight crown by stopping favored American Rico Hoye little over a year later Calzaghe again announced his desire to step up a division and challenge the new champion. Woods. though, having previously been snubbed was not in the mood to allow the undefeated Welshman to dictate terms to him, especially as he was the one with arguably the more prestigious title.

Following a couple of routine WBO title defences Calzaghe finally produced the goods with a highly impressive 12 round destruction of American powerhouse Jeff Lacy earlier this month to capture the prestigious IBF super-middleweight crown and swing the bargaining momentum back in his favour.

Woods vs Calzaghe would indeed be a fascinating pairing and one not only British fight fans would want to see but I'm not sure even the lure of a £100,000 side bet will be enough to make it happen.


Firstly £100,000 to thes two is probably like your average man having cheeky fiver on it, but saying that i think Hobson would be £100,000 lighter if this happens. Also i wouldnt exactly call it the most eagerly awaited British match up since Eubank v Benn. I would much rather see Hatton v Witter.