Kessler Needs to Beat Calzaghe, For The Sake Of Boxing and Joe Louis

[crold1]

Actually, most champs DEFEND as often as they ever did. It's the non-title bouts that used to occur that have now been replaced by sparring that change the fight numbers. Fighters like Louis and Armstrong were exceptions. Most champions with high defense numbers did it over a longer period than Joe's 21 in five years. Hell, took Holmes almost seven to get to 20.

[wmute]

Actually, most champs DEFEND as often as they ever did. It's the non-title bouts that used to occur that have now been replaced by sparring that change the fight numbers. Fighters like Louis and Armstrong were exceptions. Most champions with high defense numbers did it over a longer period than Joe's 21 in five years. Hell, took Holmes almost seven to get to 20.

you are right

[Allucard]

Joe Louis fought his fair share of cab drivers and nobodies, and won the title off Jim Braddock who was at the time ducking number 1 contender Schmeling. Even though Calzaghe won a vacant title he still beat a more capable fighter to do it.

Calzaghe has gone on record saying he doesn't want to attempt to break Louis's record, and will be looking at light heavy after he fights Kessler.

That's just ******. I respect Louis alot and alone the number of fights he had the the way he dominated the division (better than tyson did) screams ludacris at the thought of comparison. But if he could break that particular record, why not? THIS IS WRONG.Louis as great as he was does not own boxing, neither does Calzaghe or any fighter, so Joe Calzaghe should go for the record.
Never again should i trust Calzaghe nuthugger's data :P
This is a disrespect to Louis. I'm sorry i was part of it.

[crold1]

Again, making twenty defenses of a belt that was considered second tier until recent years, and not facing any co-titlists for YEARS makes this comparison absurd. Alphabelts are the ultimate ducking tool, creating economic walls between top contenders that are repugnant. Louis was THE champ; Calzaghe has largely been A champ. BIG difference.

Record my ass.

[futurebeast67]

this will be a real test for calzag and if he does win he should have to fight ranked people and jermain taylor before he can break those records but he will probaly take easy fights if he he wins because people cant say anything after he beats #1

[crold1]

Look, if Calzaghe beats Kess and sticks around to knock off Bute and the winner of Taylor-Pavlik, then props to him. He'll have had one of the great runs in the history of any division and the best run ever at 68. Not being the same as Louis' 25 is not the same as not great.

Kess is a tall order though and I LOVE THIS FIGHT! I';ve wanted to see it for near three years.

[squealpiggy]

That's just ******. I respect Louis alot and alone the number of fights he had the the way he dominated the division (better than tyson did) screams ludacris at the thought of comparison. But if he could break that particular record, why not? THIS IS WRONG.Louis as great as he was does not own boxing, neither does Calzaghe or any fighter, so Joe Calzaghe should go for the record.
Never again should i trust Calzaghe nuthugger's data :P
This is a disrespect to Louis. I'm sorry i was part of it.

So you were pissed at the audacity of Calzaghe beating Louis's record for defenses and now you're more pissed because Joe isn't intending on breaking that record?

[GranTorino]

on october 10th, 2007, joe calzaghe will have been the WBO supermiddleweight champion for ten years. the longest title reign in history was joe louis as HW champion for 11 years and 9 months.

joe calzaghe has has 20 successful title defenses of his WBO supermiddleweight championship. joe louis also holds the record at 25 successful title defenses.

he is on his way to squirming into history by breaking two of the most sacred, impressive, and legendary records in boxing. records held by the most respectable and prestigious champions ever to grace the ring, joe louis.

joe louis was a beloved and respectable champion who slogged the hard road and went through the best of his era to set those two records. the same could not be said for joe calzaghe. hes had a career of handpicking his opponents, fighting nobodies, patsies, and fringe contenders, making up injuries to avoid fights, and never really had any big fights and never really cemented his claim as the #1 SMW champion.

joe louis was much more active as a champion (had five to six title defenses a year), fought much better competition, dominated most of his opponents, and cemented his legend as the greatest HW champion of all time.

now for joe calzaghe to be as inactive as he could, fight such weak opposition, make a legacy of excuses, for him to try to challenge or (God forbid) break joe louis' records, thats nothing short of a slap in the face of boxing.

as a fan of boxing and its history, i truely hope mikkel kessler will end joe calzaghe's title reign to at least keep joe louis' legacy from being tarnished by such a joke of a champion. i mean, kids can look at joe louis as a great man who helped bring unity to a divided nation and a great fighter who held two great records that no1 could break. what has joe calzaghe done? break his hands, make some money, and dodge real obstacles to break such a great fighter's record(s)?

i hope mikkel kessler prevents this coward from even approaching joe louis' hallowed achievments.

Are you referring to the same Joe Louis who fought 0-7 Willie Davies when he was 20-0? Or the Joe Louis who fought 0-0 Steve Ketchel when he was 31-1? Or the one who fought 8-0 Jorge Bres when he was 31-1 or the one who fought 3-3 Johnny Davis when he was 58-1?

My point is, yes, Louis was an awesome boxer. There's no denying that. But Calzaghe is no less deserving of history than Joe was, especially if you take records into consideration.

[crold1]

None of the fights you list were title defenses Gran and most were sandwiched around guys like Carnera, Schmeling, Sharkey, Baer and Pastor. Louis fought a lot of fights in very short order early on and stay busy appearance nights are to be expected when building a contender who also happens to be wiping out most of the top ten around the chaffe.

The point here is so simple: Calzaghe was one titlist among many; Louis was THE champion period. Calzaghe's history is watered down; if he wanst toc claim most defenses of a belt, great. But most defenses of a true world title? He ain't even in the conversation. The only fighter who legitimately has come close to Louis since as far as capturing a lineal title and defending it is Ricardo Lopez.

[Allucard]

Never pissed. Not pissed no. Just the comparison is ludacris. As someone said, Joe is a great champion, nevertheless A CHAMPION. Louis was THE CHAMPION. There were no barriers in Louis' time. If they thought someone had a chance vs Louis they would make the fight happen, no walls around the fighters see?