Do you think Joe Calzaghe is ducking Kessler??

[K-Nine]

I was more confused by how the Kessler/Andrade fight was a set-up for a Calzaghe/Kessler one.

I didn't say it was, HBO did, and they're trying to subliminally put this into their dialogue. They keep alluding towards a fight with Calzaghe.

[boogbx]

So you've decided to live in the past, in order to allow Joe to retain a bit of credibility?

Well enjoy your stay in 1998.

exactly. After those sensational wins he follows them up with Sakio Bika, Omar Sheika, Charles Brewer etc etc

The Calzaghe fans in this thread are laughable.

[RAESAAD]

No doubt Calzaghe has reservations about fighting Kessler......I mean he knew inside he could outbox Lacy and did, but He has to see a younger,harder hitting image of himself in Kessler.....I'd be a bit afraid too.Time to step up Joe and prove it ,Other than Lacy what other top ranked prime fighter have you beaten?

[Njord777]

Calzaghe is just barely a name here in America after beating Lacy- and even then most casual fans don't know who he is. It's hard to use the argument that Joe is choosing bigger fights rather than Kessler for the last few years when Joe has yet to choose a big American opponent that might gain him some respect state side other than Lacy. What about all the other opponents over the years? How does someone like Sakio Bika look better? If Joe does not fight Kessler soon he is definitely ducking him. He hasn't been taking big money fights over Mikkel, he isn't carving himself a huge name in America that Kessler does not help with- Joe Calzaghe is still a European fighter. Fame and fortune all lie there. So does Kessler. So..?

[hugh grant]

No Kessler is not just another one in a line of opponents... You make the exact same claim as mikesterious just did. So instead of repeating my response, just look it up above.

But i've got a few things to add.

Kessler is at this stage significantly more accomplished than ANY opponent on Joe's list - with the possible exception of Eubank - who was nevertheless not undefeated.
At the time of Calzaghe-Lacy, Kessler's and Lacy's achievements were about even. But since then Kessler has taken another couple of steps up the ladder. And while we've seen Lacy's limits. There's nothing to suggest we've seen Kessler's limits. Also the most respected independent rankings had Kessler ahead of Lacy all the way.
There has not been a single possible fight over Calzaghe's entire career (including Ottke, Hopkins, RJJ or whoever) that would have done more towards proving Calzaghe as undisputed, than Kessler at this stage.

Kessler is at this stage still a unbeaten prospect. If Joe beat him it wouldnt do his reputation or legacy much more good. If Joe beat Kessler, there woould be another Kessler type waiting in the wings to box Joe saying they can take him out. JOe has been dealing with the next person to take him out for nearly 10 years. Joe hasnt many fights left, and he wants to do his thing stateside. Once and if he takes care of business there, Kessler should still be available for Joe. Kessler is supposed to be very good so there is no reason why he shouldnt still be champ.

Calzaghe is just barely a name here in America after beating Lacy- and even then most casual fans don't know who he is. It's hard to use the argument that Joe is choosing bigger fights rather than Kessler for the last few years when Joe has yet to choose a big American opponent that might gain him some respect state side other than Lacy. What about all the other opponents over the years? How does someone like Sakio Bika look better? If Joe does not fight Kessler soon he is definitely ducking him. He hasn't been taking big money fights over Mikkel, he isn't carving himself a huge name in America that Kessler does not help with- Joe Calzaghe is still a European fighter. Fame and fortune all lie there. So does Kessler. So..?

Joe is barely a name in America even after beat Lacy. Is that so? Well beating Kessler wont improve his situation. Do you thing American know who Kessler is?

[squealpiggy]

Joe is barely a name in America even after beat Lacy. Is that so? Well beating Kessler wont improve his situation. Do you thing American know who Kessler is?

Be fair. Americans who don't like Joe Calzaghe know exactly who Kessler is!

[Njord777]

Kessler is at this stage still a unbeaten prospect. If Joe beat him it wouldnt do his reputation or legacy much more good. If Joe beat Kessler, there woould be another Kessler type waiting in the wings to box Joe saying they can take him out. JOe has been dealing with the next person to take him out for nearly 10 years. Joe hasnt many fights left, and he wants to do his thing stateside. Once and if he takes care of business there, Kessler should still be available for Joe. Kessler is supposed to be very good so there is no reason why he shouldnt still be champ.



Joe is barely a name in America even after beat Lacy. Is that so? Well beating Kessler wont improve his situation. Do you thing American know who Kessler is?

No one Joe is talking about fighting will make him a big name here. So, let's be real- if Calzaghe is content being a European fighter he might as well increase his credentials there- and Kessler definitely would do that. So, if he's not going to fight a big name here, why not fight a big name there?

[Welter_Skelter]

My ONLY point.. is WHO has kessler fought.. That makes him seem so much better than Calzaghe in some peoples eyes???
If you ask me their records are very similar.. except Joe has been doing it for longer..

[.Mik.]

No one Joe is talking about fighting will make him a big name here.

Really? You dont think that beating two or three out of Hopkins, Taylor and Wright will make him a big name? They are three of your top fighters. Cos Calzaghe isnt just claiming that he wants to fight one of them and retire.

[hugh grant]

The original question was is Joe ducking Kessler? People are assuming if Joe is not nameing kessler as his next opponent that means he is ducking Kessler in some peoples eyes.
Lets say if Joe names Kessler as his next opponent. Does that mean Joe is ducking Hopkins, or Wright or Tarver if they are not Joes next opponet Njord777. As i said Joe can box Kessler at some point. Kessler will still want Joe wont he?