By Tom Donelson

The fight game is all about money and recognition. Here is the reality. For Joe Calzaghe, the one fight that will stamp him with greatness is against Mikkel Kessler, not Bernard Hopkins. Kessler is the best contender for Calzaghe’s stranglehold over the Super Middleweight division. So what is standing in the way of this fight becoming a reality?

Money and recognition from the American audience and boxing pundits. As for the money, Ringtalk's Cliff Rold notes that it is not a guarantee that a Bernard Hopkins-Joe Calzaghe fight would garner big bucks, but there is no doubt that a Kessler-Calzaghe fight would sell out anywhere in Europe. The pay-per-view would be just as big on a  worldwide scale as possibly a Hopkins-Calzaghe or even a Jermain Taylor-Calzaghe bout. Calzaghe would make just as much money, if not more, if he fought Kessler.

The real reason that Calzaghe wants to fight in the United States in not the money. No, it is the arrogance of American boxing pundits who have consistently derided Calzaghe and ignored Kessler despite the fact that these two guys are two of the best fighters in the world!

I like Jermain Taylor and view him as the true Middleweight champion, but his record pales in comparison to either Calzaghe or even Kessler, who himself has has defeated five present or former champions. Taylor’s present position is due to two very close victories against Bernard Hopkins and a draw against Winky Wright, in three high profile fights. All three fights were nail biters that could have gone in either direction. Contrast that to Kessler’s demolition of Marcus Beyer and Calzaghe’s destruction of Jeff Lacy.

The bottom line is that Calzagh’se next fight should be against Kessler and if HBO or Showtime wants to do the boxing world a favor, they should be willing to televise and promote this fight statewide. The winner could be easily marketed for a trip to the United States after the bout and fight fans will be treated to the best possible fight at 168-pounds.

It is time that American boxing pundits recognize when it comes to the Middleweights through the Light Heavyweights, the best fighters at the present time are Europeans. And it is time that American boxing pundits recognize that we are living in a golden age with these divisions. There are exciting and great fighters who have are willing to step on the world stage at the same time.

A Look At The Power Of The Contender.

Iif you want to know the value of the Contender Series, just look at the Peter Manfredo- Joey Spina fight. Manfredo has developed into a good fighter and improves with every bout. On the most recent ESPN special fight card, Manfredo made mince meat of Spina and this followed a similar demolition of Scott Pemberton, a former leading contender for the Super Middleweight title.

Manfredo is learning to use his speed and boxing skills to its utmost advantage and at Super Middleweight. He has discovered new power that he appeared to be lacking at lower weights. Most importantly, he is a crowd-pleasing fighter that draws television audiences and fills arenas. Like his Contender counter part, Sergio Mora, Manfredo has begun to take the next step in becoming a championship contender.

Both fighters may never actually win a title but they are developing good fighters and their Contender exposure has built an audience that cares for them as fighters, if not personalities.

The Contender series has proven to be a boon for boxing as it has highlighted great stories and turned young unknowns into household names. And for many of these fighters, they have taken advantage of their exposure and developed their skills to become true contenders. These are not puffed-up stars, but true fighters who have the skills to make noise in their respective division. The major obstacles facing both fighters is that they have landed in an era that is flooded with great talents.

If they had fought at 168-pounds a decade ago, they would have had even better chances of becoming champions but today, fighters at the top of the Middleweight and Super Middleweight division are some of the best fighters to grace the respective weight classes in years. Mora and Manfredo will certainly face tough competition on the way to the top.