Do you think Joe Calzaghe is ducking Kessler??

[Double]

It doesn't matter who's ducking who, but as a fan I would like for fighters to prove who is the best. I'm sure there's enough money to be made off of this matchup to make it worth their while. When you have two undefeated CHAMPIONS in a division they need to fight for the fans. This is a problem with boxing not just the SMW division. At the end of the day it's just another loss for boxing and it's fans, because we can sit and argue this all day long but we'll never have a true answer.

[.Mik.]

Look, it's pretty damn obvious Calzaghe is ducking Kessler. Let me lay out the facts:

-Calzaghe says he's looking to build his profile with American fans. If that's the case, why isn't he fighting in America to begin with? How exactly are fans suppose to know who you are when you are fighting a few thousand miles away and your fight is going to be shown in the middle of the day? You don't see Hatton trying to build a profile in America by fighting in the UK. He fought lesser known fighters like Urango and Castillo in the US and that has made him somewhat known here. Lennox Lewis fought all of his big fights in the US and that is why he is the most well known UK fighter in this country. Fighting in Wales does nothing for his American fanbase.

-Manfredo has not proven he is popular in America. The only place he has ever sold out is his hometown of Providence and that fight was against another hometown fighter in Spina. Manfredo has never proven he could sell out Vegas, Atlantic City, or any major venue.

-Calzaghe says he wouldn't get credit for beating an untested Kessler because he feels he didn't get much credit for beating Lacy. The truth is Calzaghe got a lot of credit for beating Lacy. Lacy was very hyped coming into that fight and just about everyone thought he would knock out Calzaghe. If he got credit for Lacy, he would get credit for fighting another dangerous fighter in Kessler.

-Also, Lacy was very popular in the US but that fight did absolutely nothing for Calzaghe's American fanbase? Why? Because he fought him in the UK. Again, how are you going to build a fanbase in America when you are fighting thousands of miles away?

-If Calzaghe "supposedly" didn't get credit for beating an undefeated, hyped champion like Lacy and he wouldn't get credit for beating Kessler, who is also undefeated, getting HBO hype, and has two belts, how in the world does he expect to get any credit for beating Manfredo who is a blown up middleweight, has beaten zero credible fighters at super middleweight, and is best known for fighting 5 rounders?

-Calzaghe says Kessler is unknown to US fans, but I would say their popularity here is about equal. Casual fans know them both if they watch HBO regularly because that's the only place you'll ever see them. We've seen Kessler KO Beyer and school Andrade. For Calzaghe, lately we've seen the Lacy destruction and that embarassment of a Bika fight. And it didn't help Calzaghe that HBO was saying during the broadcast that Calzaghe looked like **** that fight.

Calzaghe is just making excuse after excuse not to fight Kessler, but in the end it's clear his argument has no real legitimacy.

I'll say it right now, Calzaghe will NEVER fight Taylor, Winky, or Hopkins. When Calzaghe sees that he's offered peanuts to come to America because he's an unproven draw, he won't want to fight here. He'll demand the fight be in Wales and the American fighters won't go there either. Besides, Taylor is too raw and DiBella won't put him in with a skilled fighter who is as big as Taylor. Winky has been fighting around the world his entire career and he's sick of it. He has made a name for himself and he won't fight outside the US any longer. Also, Winky is just hard to negotiate with. We all saw him decline a Taylor fight because he wanted 50-50 and was only get 45-55. Hopkins sure as hell would not give Calzaghe the advantage of fighting in the UK.

In a year's time, everyone will see what a joke Calzaghe reallly is...

So much of your post is very sensible and accurate that its a shame that you go and spoil it.

I completely agree that I wish Calzaghe would start trying to build his profile by fighting in America. I think that its a shame that you have to do that to be a 'World Champion' when the same rules dont apply to American boxers and I understand why he wants to fight Manfredo in Wales (as it'll likely be his last fight there if things go according to plan), but I do still agree that I want him to start fighting in America if he really wants to make a big name for himself.

Sadly I also think that you MIGHT be right about the three guys he's wanting to fight after the Manfredo fight. I think that its an unfortunate possibility that he might simply never get those fights. He's too proud and too close to the end of his career to take a cut in pay or to give away too many advantages and I dont think that they will take the risk of fighting Calzaghe (who I would rank as a heavy favourite to defeat them all) unless they knew that they were getting a better deal out of it than Warren/Calzaghe/HBO might be in a position to offer them.

However none of your 'facts' lead to the conclusion that he is 'ducking' Kessler at all. Even your own evidence points to the fact that he is simply not looking at Kessler, not considering him because for a long time he's had his mind on other fights, bigger fights. Fights that might never come off and might be pipe-dreams, but Joe obviously doesnt think that they are, he obviously has hopes (maybe delusions) that they will. I've said it before and I'll say it again here, its unfair to judge this as a 'ducking' until Calzaghe has fought Manfredo. Before the Manfredo fight was made, I honestly did not consider Kessler to have proven himself...I'm still not entirely sure he has because he hasnt faced anyone close to Calzaghe's level (nor even Lacy's supposed level). If after the Manfredo fight, Calzaghe fights one of the three guys he is after, then thats not ducking Kessler...thats assuring his future and his legacy by looking for bigger and better names. If he doesnt get them, I'd be disappointed if he didnt face Kessler or at least someone more credible than Manfredo (Dawson, Woods, maybe even Froch).

He's making no excuse not to fight Kessler, he's simply trying to fight bigger fights with more money. As for Manfredo, I seriously wish people would stop trying to make out that Calzaghe is considering this to be a threatening encounter for him. He knows that all Manfredo has going for him is a recognisable name with American boxing fans. Thats the only reason he is fighting him.

And your last comment was just pathetic. Even if he retired immediately after the Manfredo fight. His career is anything but a joke. He has fought some good fighters, a couple of very good ones. He has beaten them all and he would've retired undefeated. He's never had any cheat decisions and he has reigned over his division for a very long time. That is not a joke mate. You're a joke if you think it is.

[Guest]

So much of your post is very sensible and accurate that its a shame that you go and spoil it.

I completely agree that I wish Calzaghe would start trying to build his profile by fighting in America. I think that its a shame that you have to do that to be a 'World Champion' when the same rules dont apply to American boxers and I understand why he wants to fight Manfredo in Wales (as it'll likely be his last fight there if things go according to plan), but I do still agree that I want him to start fighting in America if he really wants to make a big name for himself.

Sadly I also think that you MIGHT be right about the three guys he's wanting to fight after the Manfredo fight. I think that its an unfortunate possibility that he might simply never get those fights. He's too proud and too close to the end of his career to take a cut in pay or to give away too many advantages and I dont think that they will take the risk of fighting Calzaghe (who I would rank as a heavy favourite to defeat them all) unless they knew that they were getting a better deal out of it than Warren/Calzaghe/HBO might be in a position to offer them.

However none of your 'facts' lead to the conclusion that he is 'ducking' Kessler at all. Even your own evidence points to the fact that he is simply not looking at Kessler, not considering him because for a long time he's had his mind on other fights, bigger fights. Fights that might never come off and might be pipe-dreams, but Joe obviously doesnt think that they are, he obviously has hopes (maybe delusions) that they will. I've said it before and I'll say it again here, its unfair to judge this as a 'ducking' until Calzaghe has fought Manfredo. Before the Manfredo fight was made, I honestly did not consider Kessler to have proven himself...I'm still not entirely sure he has because he hasnt faced anyone close to Calzaghe's level (nor even Lacy's supposed level). If after the Manfredo fight, Calzaghe fights one of the three guys he is after, then thats not ducking Kessler...thats assuring his future and his legacy by looking for bigger and better names. If he doesnt get them, I'd be disappointed if he didnt face Kessler or at least someone more credible than Manfredo (Dawson, Woods, maybe even Froch).

He's making no excuse not to fight Kessler, he's simply trying to fight bigger fights with more money. As for Manfredo, I seriously wish people would stop trying to make out that Calzaghe is considering this to be a threatening encounter for him. He knows that all Manfredo has going for him is a recognisable name with American boxing fans. Thats the only reason he is fighting him.

And your last comment was just pathetic. Even if he retired immediately after the Manfredo fight. His career is anything but a joke. He has fought some good fighters, a couple of very good ones. He has beaten them all and he would've retired undefeated. He's never had any cheat decisions and he has reigned over his division for a very long time. That is not a joke mate. You're a joke if you think it is.

I said earlier I wouldn't consider it a duck if he gets Winky, Taylor, or Hopkins in his next fight. If he doesn't get any of those fights and still avoids Kessler, it's clearly a duck. No other European does more for Calzaghe, in terms of legacy and paycheck, as Kessler. Kessler has belts, he has the backing of HBO, and right now he is the only 168 pounder who is considered a legitimate threat to Calzaghe...

As for Calzaghe being a joke, maybe it's a little harsh. But the guy could have been much better than he was. He never fought a superfight and he didn't seem to care that he didn't. He fought good fighters, but no greats. I just feel he could have done so much more if he wasn't so afraid to leave the safety of home...

[hugh grant]

And why would Hopkins or any major American fighter choose to fight Calzaghe. After all, American fans don't give a **** about Calzaghe either...

The American fans dont give a **** about Calzaghe? Is that so? Thats just like saying the British fans dont give a **** about PBF. But that doesnt mean PBF aint good!! And why shouldnt Hopkins and Co want to fight Calzaghe? He is considered one of the very best and most respected boxers on the planet at the moment. Isnt it a challenge to fight and beat him. To be the first to! Dont boxers want a challenge nowadays or what? Theres many reasons why the old man Hopkins wouold want to fight Joe.

Damn,pretty even poll...Im not sure if Joe is ducking Kessler.I tend to doubt it though.Joe's a fighter,and I don't think he's physically afraid of Mikkel.Maybe his team is,but not him.If Joe sticks around long enough,and the hype keeps building for Mikkel,I think Joe will eventually fight him.

So true. Let Kessler build up a bigger reputation for a few years beating excellent boxers before Joe boxes him. That way Kessler wont be a overrated guy like Lacy was. When and if Joes beats Kessler there will be no excuses to disrepect the italian.....i mean welshman.

I said earlier I wouldn't consider it a duck if he gets Winky, Taylor, or Hopkins in his next fight. If he doesn't get any of those fights and still avoids Kessler, it's clearly a duck. No other European does more for Calzaghe, in terms of legacy and paycheck, as Kessler. Kessler has belts, he has the backing of HBO, and right now he is the only 168 pounder who is considered a legitimate threat to Calzaghe...

As for Calzaghe being a joke, maybe it's a little harsh. But the guy could have been much better than he was. He never fought a superfight and he didn't seem to care that he didn't. He fought good fighters, but no greats. I just feel he could have done so much more if he wasn't so afraid to leave the safety of home...

Rocky Maricano retired without beating any really great prime boxers but his reputation is alright. Joe has been doing it for long than Marciano and beating everyone there was really to beat for 10 years and is still unbeaten. I am not so sure Marciano could have retired undefeated if he had hung around as long. Think about it. Joe could have fought some other boxers to please more people, but his record aint a joke.

[Guest]

The American fans dont give a **** about Calzaghe? Is that so? Thats just like saying the British fans dont give a **** about PBF. But that doesnt mean PBF aint good!! And why shouldnt Hopkins and Co want to fight Calzaghe? He is considered one of the very best and most respected boxers on the planet at the moment. Isnt it a challenge to fight and beat him. To be the first to! Dont boxers want a challenge nowadays or what? Theres many reasons why the old man Hopkins wouold want to fight Joe.

Those are the exact reasons Calzaghe should want to fight Kessler. Shouldn't Joe want the challenge and to be the first to beat him?

So true. Let Kessler build up a bigger reputation for a few years beating excellent boxers before Joe boxes him. That way Kessler wont be a overrated guy like Lacy was. When and if Joes beats Kessler there will be no excuses to disrepect the italian.....i mean welshman.

The difference between Lacy and Kessler is that Lacy was fighting average 168 pounders on his way up. Kessler has beaten top 5 super middles in each of his last 5 fights. Calzaghe never had a run like that in his career.

Rocky Maricano retired without beating any really great prime boxers but his reputation is alright. Joe has been doing it for long than Marciano and beating everyone there was really to beat for 10 years and is still unbeaten. I am not so sure Marciano could have retired undefeated if he had hung around as long. Think about it. Joe could have fought some other boxers to please more people, but his record aint a joke.

Don't even compare Marciano to Calzaghe. Marciano beat everyone there was to beat during his time. It's not his fault a true great wasn't around. Calzaghe has had great fighters in and around his weight class, but he's never chosen to fight any of them...

[jangeorg]

So true. Let Kessler build up a bigger reputation for a few years beating excellent boxers before Joe boxes him. That way Kessler wont be a overrated guy like Lacy was. When and if Joes beats Kessler there will be no excuses to disrepect the italian.....i mean welshman.

And you really think Bika and Manfredo has beating excellent boxers,you most be a Calzaghe nutshugger ******,do you have any more lame excuse for Calzaghe not fighting Kessler

[.Mik.]

People need to stop comparing the current fights of Calzaghe and Kessler as though it makes all the difference. Even AFTER getting beaten off Calzaghe, Bika would still be a fairly credible opponent for Kessler.

The fact is that Calzaghe doesnt need the fight with Kessler. He is WIDELY believed to be the top guy in the division and one of the top P4P boxers in the world. He has defended the most credible title in the division almost a record amount of time for almost a record amount of years. Whats more Kessler is not the biggest realistic fight for him out there. All the fights he is looking for are bigger, more credible and offer more money.

Kessler on the other hand, the reason he keeps calling out Calzaghe is because he is the biggest and most likely opponent for him. Calzaghe doesnt need the fight, so it doesnt matter who he fights instead of Kessler. Kessler does need the fight, so it does matter who he goes up against.

Of course, if Kessler somehow managed to get a huge name fight and win it, the situation may well change around. I've seen it before.

Either way, quit this 'nuthugger ******' lark, you wanker.

[Jim_Davis]

Kessler is a good fighter but Joe Calzaghe is 34 and he needs superfights to make retirement money for his whole family capeche?

[jangeorg]

People need to stop comparing the current fights of Calzaghe and Kessler as though it makes all the difference. Even AFTER getting beaten off Calzaghe, Bika would still be a fairly credible opponent for Kessler.

The fact is that Calzaghe doesnt need the fight with Kessler. He is WIDELY believed to be the top guy in the division and one of the top P4P boxers in the world. He has defended the most credible title in the division almost a record amount of time for almost a record amount of years. Whats more Kessler is not the biggest realistic fight for him out there. All the fights he is looking for are bigger, more credible and offer more money.

Kessler on the other hand, the reason he keeps calling out Calzaghe is because he is the biggest and most likely opponent for him. Calzaghe doesnt need the fight, so it doesnt matter who he fights instead of Kessler. Kessler does need the fight, so it does matter who he goes up against.

Of course, if Kessler somehow managed to get a huge name fight and win it, the situation may well change around. I've seen it before.

Either way, quit this 'nuthugger ******' lark, you wanker.

I am really think you are Joe Calzaghe or perhaps Frank Warren himself with this bull**** writting

[.Mik.]

Great comeback. How you decimated all my arguments with you eloquent reasoning and stunning venacular.

Oh how royally owned I most certainly was.