By Mark Vester
Retired former champion Joe Clazaghe is looking ahead to his future in the sport. He, along with his father Enzo Calzaghe, are laying down the bricks for their promotional company, Calzaghe promotions. According to Calzaghe, WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler is the best fighter at the weight and he would love nothing more than to promote Kessler.
"Obviously now that I am retired management is becoming more and more important to me as we try to build up the profile of Calzaghe Promotions and take our shows to the next level in the coming months. We eventually have our sights set on far bigger fight nights and stages than the ones we are currently putting on in Merthyr and in the remainder of 2009 my priority is to really raise the profile," Calzaghe told South Wales Argus.
"We want to be staging world title fights and working with big names as well as doing everything we can to promote Welsh boxing and make stars of the guys we are already working with. One guy I would really love to work with is a former opponent of mine, Mikkel Kessler. For my money Kessler is by far and away the best super middleweight in the world and I understand he’s currently involved in a battle with his promoters for how long he is under contract."
"Down the line when his situation is less complicated, I would absolutely love to work with Mikkel, he’s a great fighter and a gentleman outside of the ring."
Coming up on April 25, Jermain Taylor challenges Carl Froch for the WBC super middleweight title. Taylor was always someone Calzaghe wanted to fight but they never came together for one reason or another. Froch has been taking verbal shots at Calzaghe for the last two years. Even after Calzaghe retired, Froch continued to throw abuse in his direction through the media. Calzaghe seems to be leaning in the direction of Taylor on this one.
"It’s an intriguing fight. Froch looked good last time out, but I am not convinced Jean Pascal, the guy he beat, is a world class fighter. This represents a much bigger test for Froch. Taylor has the better ability, but I question his heart and Froch has all the heart in the world and a good chin," Calzaghe said.
"So it’s a very tough fight to call, I’d just about tip Taylor if he shows more heart than he has recently. If they are both at their best Taylor wins but I certainly wouldn’t rule out Froch getting the better of him."
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