calzaghe vs woodhall

[abadger]

Great points, I've not seen the fight in full though seen a few others around that time of late inc; Brewer. Learned a couple of interesting things out of this topic, one being Woodhall and Calzaghe being good friends to this day, the other Calzaghe openly saying he's a reactive fighter. Not talked about often, but fights like the Woodhall one, and others, show he has plenty in reserve to raise his game if needs be.

It's almost as if he's safely, cleverly trying to keep a decent margin, without putting himself at too much risk. But then, especially in those days, he'd often go gunning for his opponent and had a great KO record, even going for it later on sometimes now. To be fair, it's fitting 7/10 he does that more when his opponent has tried to seriously hurt him, so he's right about his warrior instincts and a word not as oftenly associated, reactions.

Like Woodhall a lot, we do ok on commentarors in the UK really. Probably prefer Barry McGuigan - shows a little more personality and personal touch for me, like his laid back style too.

Another interesting thing about watching the fight was the amount of booing Calzaghe got from the English fans! I'd seen this against both Delaney and Reid previously and it just goes to show that Calzaghe never had the popularity to go with his talent. I remember at the time I was never able to understand it because this was the guy who'd beaten Eubank and I felt, even as a kid that he was the rightful heir to Eubank, Benn and Collins. Seems no-one else did though! I remember before one of his later fights on ITV, I think it was Lacy but could have been Ashira or Bika, ITV did this little segment before the fight which literally, was entitled "Joe Who?" and it had this melancholy air of Joe toiling in obscurity, forever alone and unrecognised. I thought they were crazy, but I guess it made sense to the mainstream fans!

Also yes, McGuigan is ace. I debated whether to include him as a 'commentator' and decided against it. He has better insight than Woodhall, but I find Wodhall to be pretty funny and also very enthusiastic, unlike a lot of UK boxing commentators (ITV + Setanta) who often appear to have a terrible inferiority complex and just waiting for our fighters to lose.

[sparked_85]

Another interesting thing about watching the fight was the amount of booing Calzaghe got from the English fans! I'd seen this against both Delaney and Reid previously and it just goes to show that Calzaghe never had the popularity to go with his talent. I remember at the time I was never able to understand it because this was the guy who'd beaten Eubank and I felt, even as a kid that he was the rightful heir to Eubank, Benn and Collins. Seems no-one else did though! I remember before one of his later fights on ITV, I think it was Lacy but could have been Ashira or Bika, ITV did this little segment before the fight which literally, was entitled "Joe Who?" and it had this melancholy air of Joe toiling in obscurity, forever alone and unrecognised. I thought they were crazy, but I guess it made sense to the mainstream fans!

Also yes, McGuigan is ace. I debated whether to include him as a 'commentator' and decided against it. He has better insight than Woodhall, but I find Wodhall to be pretty funny and also very enthusiastic, unlike a lot of UK boxing commentators (ITV + Setanta) who often appear to have a terrible inferiority complex and just waiting for our fighters to lose.

John Rawlingson is the worst. He always favours the opposing fighter as if to prove he is not bias.

He's an arsehat.

And Jim 'Cleaner more effective work' Watt gets on my **** to. Our fighters never get through with this cleaner more effective work he just trots out the same **** in every fight.

[Sugarj]

I like Woodhall's commentary too, I always thought he was such a genuine sportsman, when he had a really close battle with Glen Catley a decade ago but still got the verdict, he admitted that he thought Glen had won. Very rare that happens. One of the nice guys in boxing, the sort of guy that could be a very good trainer.

I was impressed with his performance against Calzaghe. That performance may have beaten every other supermiddle at the time.

[sarlick]

I like Woodhall's commentary too, I always thought he was such a genuine sportsman, when he had a really close battle with Glen Catley a decade ago but still got the verdict, he admitted that he thought Glen had won. Very rare that happens. One of the nice guys in boxing, the sort of guy that could be a very good trainer.

I was impressed with his performance against Calzaghe. That performance may have beaten every other supermiddle at the time.

ive met him a couple of times, great bloke and good commie, he does trian boxers, but right now the boxers he trains are crap.