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GARY LOCKETT has claimed Joe Calzaghe is right to dismiss a fight with Kelly Pavlik, insisting the Welsh legend would simply be too good for the American.
Lockett suffered a bruising third-round stoppage against middleweight king Pavlik last weekend. And the American’s camp soon started using his victory to try and line up a superfight with Calzaghe.
But the Welshman, who has been honoured with a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, quickly dismissed the idea as “a step-up too far for Pavlik.” And he said a fight with American legend Roy Jones Jnr was a far more likely option.
Cwmbran-born Lockett admitted it would be a “big war” if the Pavlik and Calzaghe did meet. But he immediately backed his stablemate as the winner.
And, if Calzaghe does change his mind for some reason, Lockett is confident the Welshman’s superior class would overwhelm the 26-year-old from Youngstown, Ohio. Pavlik may be unbeaten in 34 fights, but Lockett strongly believes that run would come to an end at the hands of Calzaghe.
“They are very different fighters, but I wouldn’t hesitate to back Joe,” he said. “Pavlik may hit a bit harder, but Joe is just so skilful.
“In terms of the overall boxer, Joe is head and shoulders above him. That’s why he has to be the favourite if they ever meet.
“But I can’t say who Joe should fight because it is entirely his decision. He will decide whatever is best for him and he has earned the right to do that.
“All I can say is that, if a fight with Pavlik did happen, it would be a very bright, exciting one. It would be a big war and one hell of a battle.”
As for his own performance in Atlantic City a week ago, the 31-year-old was naturally disappointed with the result. Having seen his fighter take a knee three times, trainer Enzo Calzaghe decided to throw in the towel midway through the third round.
But Lockett insisted he had done himself proud. And he was happy to see that Pavlik himself had recognised him as a worthy challenger.
“I certainly don’t have any regrets about taking the challenge,” he claimed. “How many other people can say they fought on the big stage for an undisputed title?
“Kelly was full of praise for me afterwards. I think the main thing was how impressed he was that I kept coming back for more after taking a knee.
“He said I had the heart of a champion. It was a big compliment to hear that from a boxer like Pavlik but I’d rather he was congratulating me instead.”
Lockett suffered a bruising third-round stoppage against middleweight king Pavlik last weekend. And the American’s camp soon started using his victory to try and line up a superfight with Calzaghe.
But the Welshman, who has been honoured with a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, quickly dismissed the idea as “a step-up too far for Pavlik.” And he said a fight with American legend Roy Jones Jnr was a far more likely option.
Cwmbran-born Lockett admitted it would be a “big war” if the Pavlik and Calzaghe did meet. But he immediately backed his stablemate as the winner.
And, if Calzaghe does change his mind for some reason, Lockett is confident the Welshman’s superior class would overwhelm the 26-year-old from Youngstown, Ohio. Pavlik may be unbeaten in 34 fights, but Lockett strongly believes that run would come to an end at the hands of Calzaghe.
“They are very different fighters, but I wouldn’t hesitate to back Joe,” he said. “Pavlik may hit a bit harder, but Joe is just so skilful.
“In terms of the overall boxer, Joe is head and shoulders above him. That’s why he has to be the favourite if they ever meet.
“But I can’t say who Joe should fight because it is entirely his decision. He will decide whatever is best for him and he has earned the right to do that.
“All I can say is that, if a fight with Pavlik did happen, it would be a very bright, exciting one. It would be a big war and one hell of a battle.”
As for his own performance in Atlantic City a week ago, the 31-year-old was naturally disappointed with the result. Having seen his fighter take a knee three times, trainer Enzo Calzaghe decided to throw in the towel midway through the third round.
But Lockett insisted he had done himself proud. And he was happy to see that Pavlik himself had recognised him as a worthy challenger.
“I certainly don’t have any regrets about taking the challenge,” he claimed. “How many other people can say they fought on the big stage for an undisputed title?
“Kelly was full of praise for me afterwards. I think the main thing was how impressed he was that I kept coming back for more after taking a knee.
“He said I had the heart of a champion. It was a big compliment to hear that from a boxer like Pavlik but I’d rather he was congratulating me instead.”
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