Story taken from - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4238560.stm

Calzaghe has Wright back-up plan

Joe Calzaghe's super middleweight unification fight with Jeff Lacy is still alive, but he now has a back-up plan to face Ronald 'Winky' Wright.
WBO champion Calzaghe broke his left hand beating Evans Ashira, ruling out a 5 November fight with IBF champ Lacy.

Calzaghe's promoter, Frank Warren, is still hopeful that Lacy's camp will honour a reserve date of 4 February.

But Warren revealed that US promoter Don King has said he can make a fight with ex-light middleweight king Wright.

"Calzaghe versus Lacy will happen on February the 4th unless they pull out," Warren told BBC Sport Wales.

"In the meantime I've spoken to Don King and he says that if there is a problem then he has an option on Winky Wright and we can make that fight.

"One thing's for sure is that whatever happens in February when Joe is fit to box - and only when he's fit to box - that it will be in a big fight."

In 2004 Wright became the first boxer for nearly three decades to unify the light middleweight division.

But since then Wright - like Calzaghe a 33-year-old southpaw - has vowed to ignore titles and seek out big money fights across the weight divisions.

King was at ringside on Saturday night in Cardiff to see his fighter Ashira given a boxing lesson by Calzaghe, who managed to win the last eight rounds fighting one-handed after his injury.

One possible complication is that Lacy's promoter, Gary Shaw, also has an interest in Wright.

Shaw has publicly criticised Calzaghe and Warren for pulling out of the 5 November fight.

"Truthfully, I'm very angry right now," Shaw told the St Petersburg Times. "I'm trying to keep it together, but yes, I'm angry at Frank Warren, I'm angry at Joe Calzaghe.

"They took a meaningless fight with a 160-pounder, and Calzaghe talked all along about how he was going to hurt himself.

"He should have never taken that fight to begin with. We knew he would use it as an opportunity to pull out of the fight."

However, Warren has hit back at Shaw for daring to suggest the cancellation is for anything other than genuine reasons.

"Gary Shaw says a lot of things without engaging his brain sometimes and it's a great shame, because he's not a bad chap actually," Warren added.

"But he should get the facts right: the fight's been postponed because Joe has a genuine injury, but he obviously didn't believe that.

"More importantly he talks as if we've tried to postpone this fight six or seven times, which we haven't.

"I don't see why he should pull out - I do hope the fight does go ahead on the 4th (of February) and we will know fairly soon whether that will be the case.

"Joe is in plaster for a month and he certainly won't be punching for six weeks after that.

"He'll tick over but he won't be sparring or hitting punch bags until then."

haha i just made a thread at the same time, ill delete mine, i think joe would desttroy wright mainly because of his peek a boo style and hates pressure fighters!

Calzaghe is probably a bit too big for Winky, but i suppose Winky is very highly rated by a lot of people so its a decent enough watch up.

haha i just made a thread at the same time, ill delete mine, i think joe would desttroy wright mainly because of his peek a boo style and hates pressure fighters!

Great minds think alike :D

What kind of cr*p is this. Winky has had only one fight above 154 lb. in the last 10 years, against a guy that lost every round against Hopkins.

If Winky is busy, perhaps Calzaghe can fight Gatti instead. Or maybe Casamayor. This is a farce.

winky would embarrass the **** out of him. lacy will ko him easily whenever this bum steps up and stops ducking people.

What kind of cr*p is this. Winky has had only one fight above 154 lb. in the last 10 years, against a guy that lost every round against Hopkins.

If Winky is busy, perhaps Calzaghe can fight Gatti instead. Or maybe Casamayor. This is a farce.

There's a short supply of decent fighters at super middle, some fighters will need to jump weights in order to get decent match ups. I hope Winky will make the step up because he's not that much smaller.

winky would embarrass the **** out of him. lacy will ko him easily whenever this bum steps up and stops ducking people.

Its going to be the other way round, i dont think Winky has a chance in hell of beating Calzaghe. I'd give Lacy a far better chance because he's a decent puncher.

LOL. Winky's style is arguably ta most dangerous style in boxing right now along wit Pacquiao's and Mayweatha's. All i know is that it would be kinda embarrasing if Calzaghe lost to Winky who is much smalla than he is. nyahahahaha! Winky jabbed Tito to death, he will jab Calzaghe into a comma. nyahahahaha!

LOL. Winky's style is arguably ta most dangerous style in boxing right now along wit Pacquiao's and Mayweatha's. All i know is that it would be kinda embarrasing if Calzaghe lost to Winky who is much smalla than he is. nyahahahaha! Winky jabbed Tito to death, he will jab Calzaghe into a comma. nyahahahaha!

I dont see the big deal about him, he's overated, he good but not that good.

Joey Calzone vs. a top-flight American opponent

YEAH ****IN RIGHT

get over it people, Calzone will NEVER EVER fight a quality opponent

EVER

Joey Calzone vs. a top-flight American opponent

YEAH ****IN RIGHT

get over it people, Calzone will NEVER EVER fight a quality opponent

EVER

Very true, your right. NO top flight American will ever get in a ring with Joe Calzaghe.

I'm glad you admit they keep ducking him.

Very true, your right. NO top flight American will ever get in a ring with Joe Calzaghe.

I'm glad you admit they keep ducking him.

There are no top flight American's at the weight, just the best of a bad bunch. :p :D

winky would easy beat calzaghe in my opinion !

Very true, your right. NO top flight American will ever get in a ring with Joe Calzaghe.

I'm glad you admit they keep ducking him.
funny stuff buddy, you got it backwards though

no true champion would fight a BUM like Evins Ashira when a unification fight was "potentially" looming

I only say potentially becuase Calzone has NEVER fought a top 10 opponent from the US or anywhere else for that matter

calzaghe is scared of lacy..so he wants to fight somebody smaller

I still hope the Lacy fight happens as opposed to this, because with it seeming like Calzaghe is hated for whatever choice he makes, I'd rather he just KO'ed Jeff Lacy and shut all the Americans the **** up. Basically, Joe & Frank Warren are happy for the Lacy fight to go ahead in early February, but if it doesn't happen then it isn't Calzaghes fault, it will be Lacy pulling out, so I'd hope that he gets shown as much hate as Calzaghe has been in the months leading up to this.

i hope to god we wil see lacy calz, so YOU will be quieted, but i doubt we will, becuase of all the predicted injuries calz is having...
he is afraid of jeff lacy

I dont see the big deal about him, he's overated, he good but not that good.

How is he overrated? He has wins over

Felix Trinidad
Shane Mosley
Angel Hernandez
J.C. Candelo
Bronco Mckart

His fights with Simon and Vargas respectively could be construed as robberies. I thought he won the Simon fight, and could have done enough in the ring with Fernando to earn a decision.

If anything Wright is underrated because he makes a case for being the P4P best fighter on earth.

calzaghe is scared of lacy..so he wants to fight somebody smaller


Ding Ding Ding ... we have a winner. It's very transparent what's going on.

Calzaghe needs to fight Lacy, not against someone who's had one fight over 154 lb. in the last 10 years. The doofus fights a nobody, two months from the biggest payday he's ever likely to see, and gets "injured" - what a freaking moron. I'm tired of the BS.

Very true, your right. NO top flight American will ever get in a ring with Joe Calzaghe.

I'm glad you admit they keep ducking him.

that is quite obviously not what was said, i say your twisting peoples words.
i used to do that kind of thing in third grade, but i grew up

peace

How is he overrated? He has wins over

Felix Trinidad
Shane Mosley
Angel Hernandez
J.C. Candelo
Bronco Mckart

His fights with Simon and Vargas respectively could be construed as robberies. I thought he won the Simon fight, and could have done enough in the ring with Fernando to earn a decision.

If anything Wright is underrated because he makes a case for being the P4P best fighter on earth.

I think he's overated, Winky isnt a top 3 P4P fighter. He's good and the P4P ratings dont mean much anyway so i'm not really bothered about the whole Winky being overated situation.

wright would block and school calzaghe. no chance calzaghe would win. problem is that wright wont make money unless he fights a real big name like mayweather. i mean i love to watch him box but hes not a flashy fighter that brings in the bucks. lacy by ko. wright UD.

that is quite obviously not what was said, i say your twisting peoples words.
i used to do that kind of thing in third grade, but i grew up

peace

I prefer to act like a child, at least its more relaxed that way.

Lacy would bombazle Calzaghe up and down ta ring droppin him on occasions. Lacy is a ****in beast! Lacy will use Calzaghe as a tune up to move up and fight Tarver! Put that in yer journal cuz now I've spoken!

Nyahahahaha

Calzaghe has little to no chance of beating Lacy.... against Winky however, I'd give it him a much closer chance. Winky isn't used to that weight and wouldn't handle himself as well. I still think Winky could beat him by a UD but a much closer fight than if Lacy ****s on him.

This fight will never happen, so don't waste your breath.

Winky is also promoted by Shaw, and Shaw wants to get a fight with Joe for LACY, not Wright. It's called a conflict of interest. Lacy will fight Joe at some point, whenever Joe is ready (if ever) but Joe was very stupid to fight Ashira so Shaw is right in lambasting him for that.

I think he's overated, Winky isnt a top 3 P4P fighter. He's good and the P4P ratings dont mean much anyway so i'm not really bothered about the whole Winky being overated situation.

If Winky is not top 5......who is?

If Winky is not top 5......who is?

Joe Calzaghe.

at least on his list. nyahahahaha! I woulnt be surprised if he's #1.

If Winky is not top 5......who is?

I said top 3, But Winky on makes top 10 due to activity.

I said top 3, But Winky on makes top 10 due to activity.

Do you have Ricky Hatton ranked higher than Winky Wright?

I hope Calzaghe doesn't fight Winky Wright.

I'm a Calzaghe fan... But I would be dissappointed in Joe. Winky Wright is a Light-middleweight, (One fight at 160lbs doesn't make him a middleweight).

One fighter I've really disliked over the last decade is Bernard Hopkins for the reason, he shys away from a challenge... But more importantly, he's a bully who seeks out little guys to beat on.

:nono: If Calzaghe fights Wright, he'll be just as pathetic as Hopkins.

I don't think Joe Calzaghe really would fight Wright though.

I hope Calzaghe doesn't fight Winky Wright.

I'm a Calzaghe fan... But I would be dissappointed in Joe. Winky Wright is a Light-middleweight, (One fight at 160lbs doesn't make him a middleweight).

One fighter I've really disliked over the last decade is Bernard Hopkins for the reason, he shys away from a challenge... But more importantly, he's a bully who seeks out little guys to beat on.

:nono: If Calzaghe fights Wright, he'll be just as pathetic as Hopkins.

I don't think Joe Calzaghe really would fight Wright though.

I know what you mean but if the American fans think Winky will win isnt it Calzaghe job to try to prove them wrong. I dont really rate Hopkins win over a small De La Hoya but i dont blame him for taking the fight, a lot of people picked DLH to win. Plus the size comparison between Hopkins who started his career at light heavy and De La Hoya who started his career at super feather is far greater than Calzaghe and Winky.

i think it's funny that whatever american Calzaghe wants to fight, if he does, almost any US boxing fan will be like Winky Wright vs. who?, Jeff Lacy vs. who?, etc..

i think it's funny that whatever american Calzaghe wants to fight, if he does, almost any US boxing fan will be like Winky Wright vs. who?, Jeff Lacy vs. who?, etc..

Well, Joe has himself to blame. No one made him stay in England or stay with Frank Warren.

However, Joe can change all that if he fights in the U.S. or just beats a top U.S. guy on American T.V. (uhhhh LACY). It's up to him.

Do you have Ricky Hatton ranked higher than Winky Wright?

I dont really do P4P but....

Thats tough because i like my P4P to be on recent fights. on a who beats who basis, with good recent win playing a big part.

Tszyu is better than both Tito and Mosley but Winky did beat Mosley twice and shut Tito out.

I'd probably say Winky was slighty ahead on the P4P rankings but without recent wins into consideration and only based on a who beat who i'd say Hatton.

I know what you mean but if the American fans think Winky will win isnt it Calzaghe job to try to prove them wrong. I dont really rate Hopkins win over a small De La Hoya but i dont blame him for taking the fight, a lot of people picked DLH to win. Plus the size comparison between Hopkins who started his career at light heavy and De La Hoya who started his career at super feather is far greater than Calzaghe and Winky.
Maybe the size difference isn't as great as Hopkins/DLH, but it's still a big difference.

The size difference between Wright and Calzaghe is a big deal to me, it's an unfair advantage and doesn't make for very competitve fight.

I'm tired of listening to Americans that just don't get boxing... (It's not all Americans just the majority). I think we're losing sight of what we want from fighters... GREAT MATCH UPS AND COMPETITIVE FIGHTS!

If they wanna watch Bernard Hopkins fight De La Hoya then they should start up there own fight league... Where everyone has to fight like Mayweather and Judah... No one's allowed to get rough the other guy up... and so on... so on...

Bit like how they took rugby, put on protective clothing and called it American Football.

Or how they couldn't get to grips with the rules of Cricket so they started up rounders/baseball.

Or how they were uncompetitve at F1 so they started up Indy500

Americans want to see an American fight another American for the World title in America... And that's about the size of it... Even if it is a total missmatch like DLH/Hopkins.

Maybe the size difference isn't as great as Hopkins/DLH, but it's still a big difference.

The size difference between Wright and Calzaghe is a big deal to me, it's an unfair advantage and doesn't make for very competitve fight.

I'm tired of listening to Americans that just don't get boxing... (It's not all Americans just the majority). I think we're losing sight of what we want from fighters... GREAT MATCH UPS AND COMPETITIVE FIGHTS!

If they wanna watch Bernard Hopkins fight De La Hoya then they should start up there own fight league... Where everyone has to fight like Mayweather and Judah... No one's allowed to get rough the other guy up... and so on... so on...

Bit like how they took rugby, put on protective clothing and called it American Football.

Or how they couldn't get to grips with the rules of Cricket so they started up rounders/baseball.

Or how they were uncompetitve at F1 so they started up Indy500

Americans want to see an American fight another American for the World title in America... And that's about the size of it... Even if it is a total missmatch like DLH/Hopkins.

Yeah, totally true. I'm sick of uneducated American fans assuming everyone who doesnt fight in the US as bums. It wasnt long ago when Vitali Klitschko, Jean-Marc Mormeck, Clinton Woods, Roman Karmazin and Ricky Hatton were being called bums!! :D

I agree that Calzaghe is too big for Winky but if people are willing to watch it you cant blame Calzaghe for cashing in, its not like he has any other options.

Bit like how they took rugby, put on protective clothing and called it American Football.

1) Ahem. Our football players would crush yours. Understand this. All we did was take rugby and make it better. You do realize our sport has more deaths per 100 than boxing and "your" rugby, right? I guess not.

2) Generalizations are not your friend. Hardly any hardcore boxing fan or expert gave DLH a chance to win, nor were there that many people even excited about the fight (except die-hard DLH groupies who hoped without hope for a lucky win). So no, DLH-Hopkins was not a fight that was in high demand by Americans anymore than any other DLH fight. It had little to do with Hopkins.

no american football is slower than a chess game :/

Calzaghe is actually hoping to face Tommy Hearns, apparently Joe says that Tommy has been ducking him for years!!!

Bit like how they took rugby, put on protective clothing and called it American Football.

Or how they couldn't get to grips with the rules of Cricket so they started up rounders/baseball.

Or how they were uncompetitve at F1 so they started up Indy500

HAHA its sooo true!!

I hate when people insult football because of pads. I play rugby, and I used to play football.... Football is much more physical. In rugby, while there aren't pads, there aren't nearly as many collisions. Every play on football involves half the players on the field getting tackled and pushed around usually.

That is way beyond me.

Hatton's most notable names are Tszyu, Phillips, and Tackie. Outside of those three....he has never faced stiff competition especially on Winky's level.

I said that Winky has probably done more(even though Tsyzu is better than any fighter Winky has faced) thats why he could be just ahead of Hatton in P4P, but IMO if both Hatton and Winky were at the same weight i'd pick Hatton to win. They are both "elite" fighters, so it shouldnt suprise you that someone thinks Hattons style beats Winky, or vice versa.

this fight wont happen, just like the lacy/calzaghe fight probly wont happen. calzaghe is one of the biggest fight dodgers in the world today and his career choices are highly questionable.

joe calzaghe should put a gun in his mouth and see how many times he can pull the trigger.

based on a who beat who i'd say Hatton.

I said that Winky has probably done more(even though Tsyzu is better than any fighter Winky has faced) thats why he could be just ahead of Hatton in P4P.

That is what confused me.

winky would embarrass the **** out of him. lacy will ko him easily whenever this bum steps up and stops ducking people.

LOL, you're a ****ing retard no wonder why your banned.

You can not be serious. :lame:

I remember that. Winky said he wouldnt fight Joe cos he hadnt beat Lacy yet....

Wright just got his ass kicked by someone who has alot of work-rate like Calzaghe named pwills though pwills has a longer reach but you can kind of see where I'm going with this. Wright clearly doesn't like fighters who throw over 1,000 punches. Too much for his defense to sustain! And Winky is no BHOP, he will not try to clinch as much as BHOP did to Calzaghe. And thankfully because excessive clinching is bullcrap.