PROMOTER Frank Warren is confident he can deliver Joe Calzaghe a career-defining fight against world light-heavyweight champion Glen Johnson in 2005.
Jamaican veteran Johnson established himself as the No.1 in his division when outpointing Antonio Tarver in Los Angeles over the weekend.
Only the lightly-regarded IBO title was on the line, but both fighters had previously beaten American superstar Roy Jones and discarded more coveted belts to make Saturday night’s bout possible. Calzaghe, 31, is ready to step up in weight after 15 defences of the WBO super-middleweight title he took off Chris Eubank in 1997.
Warren said: "I spoke to Johnson’s promoter Dan Goosen before he fought Tarver about getting the Calzaghe fight on, and he was very positive."
The fight I would rather see is Calzaghe/Lacy, it would be a great stepping stone fight for winner to either move up for a bigger fight at lightheavy or down to midddleweight. But in the end I think Calzaghe will be too much of a dip to come over to the states and get some real compitision.
JC has always run his mouth - but when it came down to it, he has never really wanted any part of the true upper class in the division. He talked about wanting to fight Roy, but he wouldn't do it unless it was in his home court so to speak, he wouldn't even go to a nuetral country to meet Jones. Recently, he was going to fight Johnson but his back problem flared up again, JC talks the talk, but he needs to stay in Europe and fight the lesser caliber opponants there, Johnson would outwork him too and he knows it. Tarver would beat JC as well.
I don't care how long he has been on top in his home town, he hasn't done squat to show he really wants to take on a real player in the division - at least not one that lives here in the States....
Don't really think Joe deserves a shot at the titles after the way he stood up Johnson before. Calzaghe said some arrogant things and burnt a lot of bridges after Johnson told him to forget a re-scheduling.
It's safe to say that Johnsons moved on to bigger and better things thanks to Calzaghe back injury and personal problems.
I'd like to see how well Calzaghe matches up against the other top ranked Lt.Heavweights like Briggs/Hoye/Gonzalez first because I just dont think he can hang with the Lt.Heavyweight King Glen Johnson.
I'd love this fight to happen... And i see Joe getting a late stoppage. He's better than Johnson in every department. But he needs to sort his shit outside of the ring.
Don't really think Joe deserves a shot at the titles after the way he stood up Johnson before. Calzaghe said some arrogant things and burnt a lot of bridges after Johnson told him to forget a re-scheduling.
im sure calzage would luv to go to the states and fight but i read recently that hes actually scared of flying (i dont know if anyone else can confirm this), he said that he will try and get treatment for this and hes even willing to take a pay cut to fight a top name because he wants a big fight and recognition as a good fighter.
Yeah, he's scared of flying.
All im saying is if Calzaghe is that good,why doesn't he test his skill somewhere outside of his own backyard?There should be more fighters like Glen Johnson who fights anyone,anywhere and anytime.Calzaghe is a protected softy thats living off wins against unproven opposition.Youngster Jeff Lacy has already fought the same level of opposition as Calzaghe...Thats sad
I dont care were any boxer fights, as long as its in a ring! Thats the only thing that matters.
The only reason Johnson fights any place anytime is for the money.
Just look at the records of Calzaghe and Lacy, Calzaghe beaten far better fighter than Lacy.
im sure calzage would luv to go to the states and fight but i read recently that hes actually scared of flying (i dont know if anyone else can confirm this), he said that he will try and get treatment for this and hes even willing to take a pay cut to fight a top name because he wants a big fight and recognition as a good fighter.
:rolleyes:
What an ego!! The US fighters who dont fight in europe are unknown there, whats the difference?? What if Calzaghe doesnt care about being known in the US??
Calzaghe's a proven world class fighter, he's been number 1 for years so who cares were he fights??
All im saying is if Calzaghe is that good,why doesn't he test his skill somewhere outside of his own backyard?There should be more fighters like Glen Johnson who fights anyone,anywhere and anytime.Calzaghe is a protected softy thats living off wins against unproven opposition.Youngster Jeff Lacy has already fought the same level of opposition as Calzaghe...Thats sad
I dont think Calzaghe understand the word defeat and Johnson obviously does, IMO Glen Johnson's a decent boxer fighting out of his skin at the moment, i got a lot of respect for him but i cant see him winning.
I'll bet anyone 2,000,000 points that Calzaghe beats Johnson if it happens, just send me a PM if you wanna bet.
Until Calzaghe comes to the states and fights,he'l always just be another unknown European champ that nobody really knows.
:rolleyes:
What an ego!! The US fighters who dont fight in europe are unknown there, whats the difference?? What if Calzaghe doesnt care about being known in the US??
Calzaghe's a proven world class fighter, he's been number 1 for years so who cares were he fights??
Alot of people thought Roy Jones and Antonio Tarver were in another league to Johnson but that didn't stop Glen Johnson from giving those two hell.As for Calzaghes chin,I wouldn't call his chin GREAT because fighters with great chins dont get KD by unknown fighters like Salem. Johnsons been in with the better opposition and has beaten the better oppsition by far,so a convincing points decision for Calzaghe is hard to imagine.But that that your opinion.Could be one interesting fight only if Calzaghe can get his shit together though.
I'll admit Johnson's lost to better fighters than JC's beaten although JC does have some very good wins on his record, even if the US fans don't acknowledge them. I don't give Johnson much credit for beating a shot RJJ and most people's opinion is that he lost against Tarver, who is nothing great - just the best of a bad bunch. Other than that he's beaten nobody near the class of some of the guys that JC's beaten.
If you want to pin your hopes on JC having a weak chin then you'll be on to a loser. His chin and his speed are his 2 greatest assets. He's eaten plenty of big shots from people like Eubank and Brewer without flinching.
I'm always happy when a fighter like Johnson gets some success because they've worked so hard for it but people go overboard far too easily. He isn't and never will be a top tier fighter. His fights against Clinton Woods showed his true level. Woods is a decent fighter but not a patch on JC and if you can't get past Sheika or Vanderpool then you've little chance against Calzaghe.
You're right though, Calzaghe has messed about for too long. If he'd have got off his ass earlier in his career he'd probably be in most people's top 10 p4p now.
Calzaghe is meant to be fighting Scott pemberton in feb and then hopefully get his fight with Johnson if he wins that. Chances are that he'll probably opt for a rematch with Tarver and Calzaghe will be left with another shit opponent.
Calzaghe at his best is in a different league to Johnson. He'd be way to fast for him but I think Johnson would be tough enough to hang in there for 12 and a convincing points loss. Calzaghe's got a great chin too so there's now way I could see him being stopped by Johnson. Everyone saw the effect that being kd'd by Mitchell had on him!
Alot of people thought Roy Jones and Antonio Tarver were in another league to Johnson but that didn't stop Glen Johnson from giving those two hell.As for Calzaghes chin,I wouldn't call his chin GREAT because fighters with great chins dont get KD by unknown fighters like Salem. Johnsons been in with the better opposition and has beaten the better oppsition by far,so a convincing points decision for Calzaghe is hard to imagine.But thats your opinion.Could be one interesting fight only if Calzaghe can get his shit together though.
Until Calzaghe comes to the states and fights,he'l always just be another unknown European champ that nobody really knows.I see Johnson knocking down Calzaghe like Mithell did,but the difference is that Johnson has a solid chin.I think Johnson will pound out a easy decision or maybe even a late round stoppage against Calzaghe.
Calzaghe at his best is in a different league to Johnson. He'd be way to fast for him but I think Johnson would be tough enough to hang in there for 12 and a convincing points loss. Calzaghe's got a great chin too so there's now way I could see him being stopped by Johnson. Everyone saw the effect that being kd'd by Mitchell had on him!
Because of that KO the fight should happen. Veit was surprised by this 1. round. But now he is stronger and better prepared for this fight. He is number 2 in that division and it would be a better fight than Calzaghe - Johnsonn, because Johnson has not the skill to beat Calzaghe. The Tarver fight was very bad and i was dissapointed. I think Johnson will loose his titles against anyone out of the top ten expect (Roy Jones Jr. and Tarver)
Until Calzaghe comes to the states and fights,he'l always just be another unknown European champ that nobody really knows.I see Johnson knocking down Calzaghe like Mithell did,but the difference is that Johnson has a solid chin.I think Johnson will pound out a easy decision or maybe even a late round stoppage against Calzaghe.