Calzaghe vs Pavlik will happen apparantly - but on Joe's terms

Mark my words. Drag this thread up if it never happens so I can apologise, but I have it from a fairly reliable (unfortunately not infallible) source that Calzaghe will fight Pavlik around May next year provided he beats Jones Jr. My source works for Calzaghe's local paper and has it from his colleague who has a good relationship with Joe that Calzaghe's priority is finally having a fight with Jones, but is furious at suggestions he's ducking Pavlik. The way Joe sees it is this - he has been chasing a fight with Jones his whole career but never had a realistic chance without sacrificing his big title-defence paydays for ranking fights at 175. Joe claims that his only chance of a fight at the time would have been through forcing the issue by being a number one contender, but in doing so he'd have been making considerably less money. Unfortunately the biggest name at 168 other than Joe didn't want any part of him (Ottke) and Hopkins wasn't interested in moving up at the time. This meant that Joe didn't get his chance to make it big until Lacy showed up. Joe feels that he has been ducked by big name US boxers his whole career, and now it's his turn to wield the power. First Jones Jr, then Hopkins and Jermain Taylor later. Apparantly he'll take the Pavlik fight eventually, provided the money is right just to shut people up. If this is all bullshit I apologise, but this guy isn't a liar. His colleague may be, but I thought some of you might be interested to know anyway. I for one am excited.

Comments (13)

MANGLER

Joe C might be able to make 168 again now, but any later than this year I don't think he could do it anymore. and Joe wants RJ this fall so it ain't happenin anytime soon. That means Pavlik would have to go up 2 divisions to get the fight. Could be possible for next year if Kelly keeps winnin, but Joe might walk by then.

17y ago

RichCCFC

Then what about Carl Froch, Chad Dawson, Andy Lee, Andre Dirrell, Joe Greene and Daniel Jacobs? Shouldn't he stick around and fight all these guys too?

17y ago

Kris_Silver

Really don't credit the original post at all I'm afraid, what does it show or detail whatsover, nothing. Not even a name or anything remotely specific. Joe is annoyed by accusations of ducking Pavlik, who said this and where's the detail, just seems very vague and predictable? Why May 09 lol, why fight every 5 months, then for your very last fight, leave it 8 months til fighting Pavlik, bit random. Truth is he doesn't give a shit about things like that, especially when it's only americans whom think this. Even if he did say he thought it was a shame some were saying he was ducking at most, the other guys probably taken it wildy out of context and thought Joe then is likely to fight him. He said on national tv the other day this will probably be his last fight, there's a chance he'll fight Pavlik but it's just not overly likely.

17y ago

Mozza

why? he should go for the big money first Pavlik would be tougher so it would be better to fight him sooner rather than later and it would also mean that if he loses he would still have a high chance of signing off with a win against Jones. Jones would also be more willing to fight in Wales should he want to bow out in front of a home crowd.

17y ago

boxer12

If I were Joe I think I would fight Pavlik first. why? he should go for the big money first

17y ago

WLAD_OWNS

Abraham is for real. Haters will deny that but same haters talking about his defense put Winky Wright as a top 5 to 10 pfp fighter just cause he's had the opportunity to fight a little more. Well AA is just 28 years old. Abraham is definitely for real, but he will still get beatdown by Pavlik.

17y ago

abadger

If I were Joe I think I would fight Pavlik first. Yes, the whole Taylor and maybe Pavlik thing was strange. I can understand him wanting to fight Jones first though, clearly its a long held ambition. The only thing I can think is that Calzaghe sees Pavlik for what he is, a decent but limited MW champ, whereas with Taylor having beaten Hopkins, he maybe sees him as the more credible threat.

17y ago

Mozza

If I were Joe I think I would fight Pavlik first.

17y ago

ringer

Pavlik will have been exposed by Abraham by then so it doesn't matter. Yeah fucking right. Abraham is a good fighter but he's not on Kelly's level. So he knocked out Miranda, big deal. Who's he beaten on the level of Jermain Taylor twice? (Taylor was a top 10 pound for pound fighter at the time Kelly dismantled him.)

17y ago

WLAD_OWNS

Pavlik will have been exposed by Abraham by then so it doesn't matter. Pavlik will beat Abraham....Abraham only fights in spurts, Pavlik has a great workrate, he will outwork Abraham and win by UD or late TKO....Abraham has a punchers chance of course, but Pavlik is a very hard man to stop.

17y ago

abadger

Well, the level of detail has the ring of truth that someone actually said it, but it might just be someones private theory. Anyway, I very much hope that it does work out like that.

17y ago

Mozza

Thanks for the info. That is very interesting and it seems to me to be entirely possible.

17y ago

RichCCFC

Pavlik will have been exposed by Abraham by then so it doesn't matter.

17y ago