Larry Merchant : "168(SMW) is a safe haven division in boxing"

[nmuburner22]

Kessler would ko Pavlik though

Pavlik can crack too..but I think Pavliks lack of defense would do him in.

[moofo]

Like I said when Kessler and Lacy are the top dogs in the division then something is wrong.

Calzaghe STARVES himself to stay at 168.....he couldve moved up like EVERY other "champion" through out history.

Hopkins starved himself to fight at 160 for nearly the whole of his career apart from 3 fights.
He started his career at 175 by the way in case you didn't know.

[flat1985]

Pavlik can crack too..but I think Pavliks lack of defense would do him in.

Kessler Has never been down as a pro or amatuer, It would be intresting to see if Pavlik carrys his power to 168

[RichCCFC]

Light Heavy isn't bad now with Calzaghe,Hopkins,Tarver (allbeit shot),Jones (shot too),Woods,Green (Still green, LOL), Chad Dawson and Zsolt Erdei.

[Jim Jeffries]

Hopkins starved himself to fight at 160 for nearly the whole of his career apart from 3 fights.
He started his career at 175 by the way in case you didn't know.

Funny how Bernard skipped 168 to fight a 37 year old Tarver who had lost 2 of his last 5 fights.

[nmuburner22]

Funny how Bernard skipped 168 to fight a 37 year old Tarver who had lost 2 of his last 5 fights.

Whats funny about that???

[Jim Jeffries]

Whats funny about that???

Do I have to spell it out for you?

[moofo]

Do I have to spell it out for you?

He wouldn't get it even if you did.

[PeROxiDE]

He said that I believe in the Manfedo vs. Calzaghe fight.

Something along the lines of Its a safe haven because its away from the big boys at 175...like Hops..Tarver...Woods..Johnson...Dawson etc...and away from the big boys at 160.... Taylor....Pavlik...Winky..Abraham...Duddy...Mirand a( at the time).

I think hes right.

The SMW has only been around since 1984..its a baby when the history of boxing is concerned...but now when the division contains One good fighter theres a problem.

Its Calzaghe and everybody else.

Almost every other division has an argument about whos the man.....


147...some say Floyd...some say Cotto

160..some say Abraham...some say Pavs

130..some say Guzman..some say Pac

etc.

When there is only ONE semi-elite fighter in the division then that fighter should move up....POINT BLANK.

The best fighters and elite fighters move up and win championships they dont sit in a **** division fighting bums for 15 years.

Roy Jones moved up all the way to Heavyweight for Christ sake.

Floyd moved up as high as 154.

Oscar moved up.

Hatton moved up and challenged himself against the best fighter in the world.

Tito moved up.

Hopkins moved up.

I can go on and on.

Calzaghe embarrasses every fighter you have just named. You dont even have your facts straight. Hopkins had how many fights at SMW? He moved up so he didnt have to fight the man at 168. He even stayed below 168 as long as he could so he wouldnt have to fight the man. Grow up, get a life, and give Joe his dues.

[Ryn0]

Like I said when Kessler and Lacy are the top dogs in the division then something is wrong.

Calzaghe STARVES himself to stay at 168.....he couldve moved up like EVERY other "champion" through out history.

I have never heard of Calzaghe having to starve himself to make weight. Link me then i will believe you. I can't see how calzaghe can stay at 168 weight drained and have the kind of workrate he has. It damn near impossible. I put SMW at 4 or 3rd best division right now considering Pavlik & Taylor should move up. Miranda looks like he's there to stay and their are some decent prospects in Allen Green, Jean Pascal etc.. only 147, 130 and 200 contest with 168.