Warren: If Calzaghe Beats Manfredo, Then Kessler Is Next

You say it yourself. Beating B-Hop wouldn't really prove much. He's a 40-something yo who's only ever had one fight above middleweight. Excuses and explanations are queing up allready. Beating B-Hop would not make Kessler go away. I want to see Calzaghe-Kessler, but I also think that it won't make an impact on Calzaghe's standings in the States. Lacy was supposed to be the guy to beat to improve his standings in the States and the sweat hadn't dried on his back before the excuses and dismissals began. My overall point is that if Kessler falls someone else will pop up and be used by people who dislike Calzaghe as a reason to dislike Calzaghe. Those in the know you say. I assume you're refering to yourself and the adoring british crowds. No no, not in the slightest. I mean the aforementioned Ring magazine and the majority of press row. I think Kessler is starting to be seen as a big challenger for Joe, but it is a challenger, not an obstacle to being considered the man. The amount of ppl who doesn't accept that Calzaghe should automaticly be considered the ruler of SMW, without having to prove it, is rising fast. Calzaghe can still achieve that status. But he has to act. I think as the amount of Americans become aware of Calzaghe the number of people saying he isn't worth his ranking is increasing. I put it down to continued animosity across the Atlantic. Agree Kessler should travel more. But he has fought outside Europe twice (US and Australia) He is far more inclined to continue his career overseas, now that he's been noticed, than Calzaghe ever were. It's true that Kessler has come to attention of the HBO crowd before Calzaghe, but I also suspect that this has something to do with Frank Warren. Warren knows his undefeated fighters make him more money knocking over tomato cans in one of his exclusive arenas than they do making money for themselves on US TV. Why do you think he so doggedly opposes foreign fights? Even so, Calzaghe has fought on the Continent a couple of times, including in Germany. Germany is at least as risky as fighting in the US, so accusing Calzaghe of cowardice for not crossing the Atlantic is conjecture. Kessler has the potential to have a far more noteworthy career than Calzaghe will ever achieve - despite Joe's obvious talents. Sure you can argue that Kessler is benefiting from Calzaghe. But no more so than Joe benefitted from Lacy. Your comments are well reasoned and formulated. Discussion and debate in boxing is great, but while I have no problems with fans talking up their guys, I do get a bit sick of reading constant diatribes by people whose interest in boxing seems to stretch to who they hate rather than who they like. I appreciate your responses though. And I'm not a Calzaghe fan, though his fights entertain me. The Bika fight was rubbish though.

Lets just cross r fingers and hope we get calzaghe vs kessler after manfredo,the only real fight at supermiddle weight tht matter then kessler will understand whos the real undisputed supermiddleweight champion when calzaghe schools him make feel the speed the P4P fastest hands in boxing (cAL)

If Calzaghe beats Manfredo, Kessler next would be great. Either in the UK or the US. I'd prefer a neutral venue myself so everything is as fair as can be.

I wont disagree with you about those 2 wins, but Lacy was just overhyped by the American fans, Lacy was so hyped that people picked him over Taylor by 80% and I think he also won a poll against Hopkins, I do believe Mundine is a better fighter then Lacy, I think Andrade is a very similar figher like Lacy. Eubank was not the same Eubank that Nigel Benn fought and that's the fact! My point is that is not a good resume if your 2 best wins are old Eubanks and Lacy. Look I never was high on Calzaghe either considering that I've seen many fights from Cal, do I think he's better after what he did in the Lacy fight, yes a little better but I still think that was his best performance in his career and he will never top that night again! As for the Reid fight, will why would you say I haven't seen the fight??? I've seen the fight and I own the fight, I can get any British fight I want, so it's pretty easy for me finding British fights. I thought Reid won the fight, yes it was a close fight but I had Reid winning just like more then half of the British fans, so I'm not the only person who had Reid winning the fight! All I can say is that it will be great if Calzaghe fights Kessler, I can't wait to see the fight! Why have I became a Kessler fan, here are a few reasons. I've seen some of his fights in the past year, he has impressed me more then Calzaghe after seeing some Calzaghe fights many years ago, I did not really knew how good Kessler was a year ago because I didn't really see much of him, I have a good eye for a boxer and I think Kessler is a real good boxer and if Cal beats him then I may jump on Cal's nuts after this win, but I really don't see Cal beating Kessler! Kessler is trying to make the best fight possible at 168 and I respect that, yes I know he's not fought many Americans but in time he will also fight some Americans and will make many American fans just like Lennox Lewis, Americans will root for European's if they respect what he accomplishes, do I think Kessler will be star in America one day, yes! In that long post, you chose to neglect to answer the one big question that I have asked you. Calzaghe has only fought two fighters of note supposedly. An overhyped Jeff Lacy and an over-the-hill Chris Eubank. Who has Kessler fought who is anyone near the level of either of those two at the time where Calzaghe fought them? I want you to see what its like when people's hard-earned victories are discredited and how easy it is to do it.

My prediction is that IF Joe fights Kessler and IF Joe wins, then according to bitter Americans the guy "Calslappy" is ducking and who he has to fight to prove his worth as a champion will become Carl Froch.. It's true and amusing. Honestly I could see Joe fighting and beating Kessler then Froch then retiring. Then the questions will become permanent. If Winky were to beat Hopkins and Taylor were to either lose or decide not to come up in weight Calz. would have no other choice.

If he comes through that then we’re looking to do a unification with Kessler.. Is that it? A tiny statement like that means next to nothing in this business.

But the same thing can be said of Jeff Lacy a few months ago. And the same thing will be said of Carl Froch if Calzaghe fights and beats Kessler.None of them to the same extend. Froch has achieved NOTHING yet. Even if he gets to the top before Calzaghe retires, he won't be a reigning champ for 3-4 years alongside Joe. Lacy never unified and in fact never even beat a champ to become one. At the time of Lacy-Calzaghe, Lacy's and Kessler's level of opposition were about equal. But Kessler has moved on from there and continues to fight top-5 ranked oppositin. Don't think Lacy ever had a single top 5 win if you go by the ring ratings. In the case of Lacy, so much relied on perception that wasn't really based in reality. Lacy might still achieve great things. But he has a lot to prove compared to Kessler. But to an extend you're right. It's not enough for a true champ to just beat 1 or 2 real top contenders over a 10-year span. He has to defeat the obvious challenges with regular intervals if he wants to maintain his position. Particularly should he dream of being concidered "undisputed". Who Joe really needs is Bernard Hopkins. Even then he won't be accepted by the American market. You say it yourself. Beating B-Hop wouldn't really prove much. He's a 40-something yo who's only ever had one fight above middleweight. Excuses and explanations are queing up allready. Beating B-Hop would not make Kessler go away. Calzaghe has established himself at the top of the British scene and is accepted among those in the know as being on top of the 168 pound division. The only reason that anyone would think that Joe needs Mikkel more than Mikkel needs Joe is that they don't want to accept that Joe has the throne at Super Middle. Those in the know you say. I assume you're refering to yourself and the adoring british crowds. It's not like Calzaghe ever beat "the man" to become "the man". If Calzaghe was ever the man, he's become so by default - not through great achievements. The amount of ppl who doesn't accept that Calzaghe should automaticly be considered the ruler of SMW, without having to prove it, is rising fast. Calzaghe can still achieve that status. But he has to act. Put it another way: If there was no Joe Calzaghe, what would the American fans think of Mikkel Kessler? He'd be another protected Euro-Champ who never fought anyone and was afraid to leave his "home town" (which to many US fight fans means "the entire continent of Europe"). Agree Kessler should travel more. But he has fought outside Europe twice (US and Australia) He is far more inclined to continue his career overseas, now that he's been noticed, than Calzaghe ever were. Kessler has the potential to have a far more noteworthy career than Calzaghe will ever achieve - despite Joe's obvious talents. Sure you can argue that Kessler is benefiting from Calzaghe. But no more so than Joe benefitted from Lacy. Thanks anyway Joe.

And breaking into America is not necessarily the be-all and end-all of boxing. Nope. But it more than ANYTHING else is the major factor in having your legacy remembered for a long time. Thats why I think that him fighting Hopkins and some big American fighters is more important than him fighting Kessler. Though I am of the thinking now that he can still do that AFTER he fights Kessler.

Calzaghe needs Kessler, if his claims of being the best SMW are to be believed. But the same thing can be said of Jeff Lacy a few months ago. And the same thing will be said of Carl Froch if Calzaghe fights and beats Kessler. Who Joe really needs is Bernard Hopkins. Even then he won't be accepted by the American market. And breaking into America is not necessarily the be-all and end-all of boxing. Calzaghe has established himself at the top of the British scene and is accepted among those in the know as being on top of the 168 pound division. The only reason that anyone would think that Joe needs Mikkel more than Mikkel needs Joe is that they don't want to accept that Joe has the throne at Super Middle. Put it another way: If there was no Joe Calzaghe, what would the American fans think of Mikkel Kessler? He'd be another protected Euro-Champ who never fought anyone and was afraid to leave his "home town" (which to many US fight fans means "the entire continent of Europe").

Kessler has good jab and has power in his punches. Calzaghe throws more punches and has faster hands.

And they don't queue and they always put their towels on the sun loungers in the morning! Just kidding... The crux of it is that yes Kessler has more to gain than Joe from a fight between the two of them. And Kessler is benefitting from his status as a rival of Calzaghe. His profile is being raised by people who hate Joe more than people who like Mikkel. Calzaghe needs Kessler, if his claims of being the best SMW are to be believed. That claim is right now his only claim to fame in a career that is soon over. Kessler has (potentially) a long career ahead. He has broken into the american marked far younger than Calzaghe did. If he keeps up pace he can easily overtake Calzaghe's achievements in every aspect except perhaps longevity (he's surpricingly close allready). Kessler can forget about Calzaghe and still have a great career. But what kind of reputation will Calzaghe be left with, if he continues to avoid Kessler? Again - the real issue is not so much how much respect and recognition Calzaghe would gain by fighting Kessler, but how much respect and recognition he'd lose if he does not. - especially of course, if Kessler moves on to do better.

You danes are rude arent you and dont listen. And they don't queue and they always put their towels on the sun loungers in the morning! Just kidding... The crux of it is that yes Kessler has more to gain than Joe from a fight between the two of them. And Kessler is benefitting from his status as a rival of Calzaghe. His profile is being raised by people who hate Joe more than people who like Mikkel.

Alot of Calzaghe fans act like Kessler has fought no one, I will like to know who has Calzaghe fought??? Come on now you guys are acting like Calzaghe has beaten many great fighters, an old Eubank and an overhyped Lacy is his 2 best wins in his career! Also I don't believe anything that comes out of Warren's mouth, he's the Bob Arum of UK! Here is the point though. The one that you seem to keep missing. Those two victories and those two alone are LEAGUES better than ANY victory Kessler currently has on his resume. What would you even say is his best victory? I dont know of any that cant be quite easily discredited, just as everyone discredit's Calzaghe's wins for his opponents being 'over the hill' or 'overhyped'. In fact, try it. Name me Kessler's best victory and watch how easily I make it discredited and make it seem like nothing special. Its such a simple art. Actually I thought Reid won the fight! Then I can only assume that you havent seen the fight or have a bad memory. The only reason Reid came closer than a 2 round deficit is because of one biased home-town judge who went with the crowd favourite. Even Reid himself said that he had been outclassed. Who are you to disagree with the opponent of the victor? In all honest, I'm starting to hope that Calzaghe does fight Kessler next. Because if he beats Kessler, Hopkins will still be there and his age isnt going to be any more credible. Taylor is still going to be an easier style match up for Calzaghe, regardless of his age and Winky is still going to be over-powered. Whereas if he fights them and then Kessler, its possible that he might be that little bit too old for such a decent opponent. However, its the majority of Kessler fans on here who are actually fans of anyone who poses a serious threat to Calzaghe's dominance and legacy that are putting me off the guys. Well...those and that moron jangeorg who could not possibly be more blind.

I'd still be surprised if Calzaghe fought Kessler this year, because recent history seems to be full of British fighters being talked up for the big one, only to end up fighting no-hopers,like Warren said after Calzaghe fought Bika,next fight will be a mega-fight and it end up with Manfredo Do you have many examples? Calzaghe v Lacy - up until Calzaghe outclassed Lacy that was the biggest fight at Super Middle in fact Calzaghe was the so called underdog against Lacy, lots on here called the fight months before yet Calzaghe absolutely took him apart. Hatton v Tszyu - Hatton was talked up for this one and ended up fighting and winning, he is due to fight Castillo next is he not? Witter v Corley - That fight happened? Witter also fought Judah. Clinton Woods v Johnson? He also fought RJJ Eastman v Hopkins? Every fight cannot be a superfight, most fighters only have one or two a career so...I could go on but for some reason you hate British fighters, is it because we have some many good ones for a such a small country??? I am a boxing fan and like Kessler because he is a good fighter, I do not like say Audley Harrison because he is overrated, thats were my prejudice ends founded i.e. boxing ability not nationality!

If Kessler waits 'till he's beaten a couple more quality opposition, Joe is likely well into retirement. But it seems to me that is actually what some Calzaghe-fans are hoping for, even if the would never admit it up front. Also if Kessler were to beat two names of suffícient fame, to actually convince the Calzaghe-fans, that Kessler is now "worthy", I think Kessler would be well beyond caring about Calzaghe. If he did that he'd, already had far outdone Joe's lifetime accomplishments in the eyes of anyone not british. So Calzaghe wouldn't matter anymore. I wont disagree with your opinion. Its just that i believe Kessler has more to gain from beating Joe. Potentially if Kessler beats Joe, Kessler will get top ten p4p status. If Joe beats Kesser, Joe aint going to exactly jump ahead of PBF in the ratings because of a win over Kessler. To highlight my point where exactly is Kessler in the p4p rankings. Not anywhere i would imagine which just goes to show Kessler until recently is an unkown and you dont get too much credit for beating unknown guys. Joe wouldnt get too much credit for beating Kessler and would be favourite against Kessler, whereas if im right Joe was underdog against Lacy in many peoples minds. Kessler should box and fight people and beat boxers impressively, that make people think he would be favourite against Joe. Im not under the illusion that it wouldnt be a pickem fight though, but that aint the point.

Im not saying Kessler must prove himself to box Joe. Im just saying if Kessler beats a few more good people JOe would get great credit for beating a man who had beaten great great men. If Kessler waits 'till he's beaten a couple more quality opposition, Joe is likely well into retirement. But it seems to me that is actually what some Calzaghe-fans are hoping for, even if the would never admit it up front. Also if Kessler were to beat two names of suffícient fame, to actually convince the Calzaghe-fans, that Kessler is now "worthy", I think Kessler would be well beyond caring about Calzaghe. If he did that he'd, already had far outdone Joe's lifetime accomplishments in the eyes of anyone not british. So Calzaghe wouldn't matter anymore.

i think he is trying to say that kessler is really good, but f joe beats him now, as kessler is an unknown, he wont get the credit he deserves for beating a fighter of kesslers level, theyll reduce kessler to euro trash just to bash joe... It could happen. But it's not like Calzaghe is the only one faced with these kinds of issues. Imagine if Kessler won, how manny would dismiss the win saying Calzaghe was way past it. I don't see Calzaghe being any worse off than the next gut. However, the more accomplished the opponent, the harder it is to diminish the win. And Kessler would by a clear margin be the most accomplished opponent Calzaghe will have faced since Eubank. Add to that Kessler should be in his prime. No doubt some would say Kessler was never all that. But there'll always be excuses lining up - no matter who Joe fights - or who anyone fights.

Moron,who the hell has Bika beat?,who has Manfredo beat?Kessler has beat a lot of bette opponents than these two.But it`s ok for them to fight Calzaghe in your opinion,but Kessler must prove himselfs before he can fight Calzaghe,get you head out of Calzaghe ass,MORON You danes are rude arent you and dont listen. Your putting me off Kessler now im telling you. Bika and Manfredo arent the best people Joe has ever fought, but if Kessler fought them, they just nearly might be the best Kessler had ever fought. Im not saying Kessler must prove himself to box Joe. Im just saying if Kessler beats a few more good people JOe would get great credit for beating a man who had beaten great great men. Is that so hard to understand? Other people on this board understand it. Why are you different? And get your head out of Kesslers ass, idiot! i think he is trying to say that kessler is really good, but f joe beats him now, as kessler is an unknown, he wont get the credit he deserves for beating a fighter of kesslers level, theyll reduce kessler to euro trash just to bash joe... Kingroy that is exacty what i mean. Yippee my 1000 post. Historical momemt for me.

just on the off chance that mundine is better now, i guess... yeah, kessler's never beaten up a junior middleweight yet. i guess he''s only allowed to start in on them if he gets all the belts Why would Mundine be any better? He looked real good against Robotic Green and Soliman since losing to Kessler. However, he didn't fight badly against Kessler. He fought just as well, he was just fighting a better fighter. Mundine had a good performance against Mikkel though and I thought won 4 rounds.

Kessler has allready beat number 2,4 and 5 on The Ring Ratings list Yep, Beyer,Andrade and Mundine. Like I said his recent comp has been better than Calzaghe's. That's not even a debate IMO. Calzaghe has been around a lot longer so overall he has faced a little bit better comp but he should, he's like 7 years older.