Calzaghe vs. Taylor Sept 22 in Britain?

[Pantera2000]

It's true that he's in Memphis in May and it's true that negotiations are very advanced for this fight.

Excellent news if it comes off. Who doesn't want to see two P4P Top 5/10 square off against each other for the title of king of the middle weights?

From the insiders that I talked to I heard this is far from 'close to happening.' Dibella is feeling it out and seeing what money is there, but the truth is he does NOT want to send Taylor to England. Time will tell. Let's see what kind of money HBO puts behind Taylor vs Miranda.

[brian99]

This would be the biggest fight either guy could make, and the calzaghe bashing would stop with a win over taylor. Id put my money on taylor, I really dont think the 8 lbs would make that huge a difference, especially considering taylor's frame.

[Steelhammer86]

This would be the biggest fight either guy could make, and the calzaghe bashing would stop with a win over taylor.

That's why I think it will happen.

It is probably the most financially lucrative matchup possible for both Joe and Jermain at this time.

[McNulty]

it wont happen cuz JT will lose on the cards. Sorry brits but I've seen to much shady reffing/decisions out of your town. Cal needs to step it up and fight here.

[dumdane]

don't duck kessler

With Taylor wanting a much bigger than Kessler would likely settle for, but also generting a lot more on the US marded, it's hard to know what'll actually make Warren the more money. It's quite possible a Taylor fight will, but that really depends on Taylors demands.
I do think though, that the main reason Joe prefers this fight over Kessler, is that he simply fancies his chances better against Taylor. Especially it'll be easier won US credit from fighting Taylor.
Kessler might not be P4P top ten like Taylor, but he's not that far off. He's also a big SMW (whereas Taylor has achieved P4P status on the premises of being MW),. Kessler's nationality, youth and limited international TV-exposure also means he's not exactly likely to be overrated on P4P-lists.
I'm not arguing that Taylor hasn't achieved more than Kessler so far. But it being at MW comoared to SMW does make a diff.
I seriously think Calzaghe would have a far harder time against Kessler - and thats the primary reason he prefers Taylor. As always it's about risk/reward ratio. Kessler will likely not make an atractive prospective opponent in a foreseeable future by that reconing.

I obviously prefer a Kessler fight by far. But that said Taylor is a far far better choice than over 90% of Calzaghe's opposition (as a champ).
It's not at all a bad fight. It's just IMO there's a better and more important fight (for the SMW division - beating Taylor proves feck all in that regard) that probably will never be made because of it.

I believe nothing has been decided yet. But i do see the increased focus on Taylor as a bad sign.

[SHB]

Kessler's a mile off P4P. Nobody apart from Kessler's biggest fans would say that Calzaghe-Kessler is the more important fight.

[Jan(DK)]

Funny stuff this. Calzaghe fans are so eager, that they are starting to fight each outher on this thread. Just wish Joe was that eager too. Calzaghe just announce that when 35000 come to see him fight Manfredo, how many spectators would there not be to see a Taylor fight. Maybe Calzaghe should do as his fans - take on a fight with himself. Calzaghe - Calzaghe would easily take on 70000 spectators!!. If it became a draw, Calzaghe - Calzaghe II could be all time great. And they could fight it out in Wales too. See thats a fight for legacy!!!.

[Catherine]

Thus far I have not been that impressed with Taylor. I admitt that my judgement of him is colored by my disappointment that he was awarded wins both times he fought Hopkins. I was not convinced. I was not that impressed when he fought Ouma. Granted Ouma will not step off from anyone, but if Taylor has the power people say he does, why no KO? Why in the heck did Ouma look like he was in the fight at all if Taylor has the power people claim.

I am not conviced that Calzaghe is all that great either. I want to see him fight outside of his safety zone in the UK. I know that will not happen. His team will not allow it most likely. The fight will happen in the UK and Calzghe will get the decision. Taylor just won't be convincing enough imo. Perhaps one day Taylor can convince me of his skill, but it likely will not be before Calzaghe retires.

[macman]

Blow up Middle-weight?????

Have any of you looked at Taylor compared to the average middle-weight?
He's a bloody giant.

Credit to youth, a heavy training ethic & really good professional nutritiousnists that he's able to make the middleweight limit for the half an hour or so of the actual weigh-in, because no way in the world is Taylor a natural middleweight.

Strongly suspect Taylor would actually be the slightly bigger of the two if they actually fight, & favour Calzaghe in a tough, good fight.

[ml2niceguy]

i think taylor would take this fight