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Calzaghe WAS the undisputed champion but for a technicality. Stieglitz was the mandatory for the IBF title after Joe had defended the WBO/IBF titles against Bika. But HBO, who was now Calzaghe's American backer, didn't like the Stieglitz fight. They instead wanted the Manfredo fight because of his visibility due to the "Contender" TV show. Joe, his father/trainer, and his promoter Frank Warren, however hated the thought of it and saw it as a waste of time. But they knew they needed HBO to be on board to force the Hopkins/Kessler/Jones fights. So he went through with it after dropping the IBF title where Stieglitz/Berrio fought for the vacant title.
Calzaghe didn't lose the title in the ring nor refuse to fight his mandatory. Stieglitz was a much better fighter than Manfredo and wasn't a bad mandatory. But Joe needed HBO who wanted the TV show guy to build Joe up to a bigger audience. By the time the Kessler unification came along, it was clear that both champs were two belt champions regardless of the physical IBF title not being on the line. That's how it was seen by everyone. A technicality doesn't really mean anything. That fight was for true undisputed.
However, good luck trying to get Plant into a ring with him being with Haymon. They play games just as much as Canelo and his side does. I think they're going for the AJ/Wilder angle where they refuse Canelo's wishes to get his hands on all the titles to become a vulture off Canelo's back to build up Plant and another PBC fighter in Benevidez. Haymon knows if Plant goes out there against Canelo, he'll lose very easily, which means a PBC title has now gone. Haymon knows Benevidez has a much better chance against Canelo but will be frozen out like Canelo has worked to do due to not having a title. So we'll get a back and forth of messing around and frustrating Canelo. But what Haymon will do, is make Plant/Benevidez for the IBF title and ask for a huge cut of the money when Benevidez wins.
Haymon also knows Canelo wants to keep Benevidez hanging back for as long as possible because he struggles with the weight at 168. Haymon will want to give Benevidez the motivation to stay in shape by giving him the Plant fight and setting up the unification with Canelo soon after. So get ready for some games to be played. I would be shocked if Haymon does anything different to what i've detailed. I know how operates too well at this point.
Calzaghe didn't lose the title in the ring nor refuse to fight his mandatory. Stieglitz was a much better fighter than Manfredo and wasn't a bad mandatory. But Joe needed HBO who wanted the TV show guy to build Joe up to a bigger audience. By the time the Kessler unification came along, it was clear that both champs were two belt champions regardless of the physical IBF title not being on the line. That's how it was seen by everyone. A technicality doesn't really mean anything. That fight was for true undisputed.
However, good luck trying to get Plant into a ring with him being with Haymon. They play games just as much as Canelo and his side does. I think they're going for the AJ/Wilder angle where they refuse Canelo's wishes to get his hands on all the titles to become a vulture off Canelo's back to build up Plant and another PBC fighter in Benevidez. Haymon knows if Plant goes out there against Canelo, he'll lose very easily, which means a PBC title has now gone. Haymon knows Benevidez has a much better chance against Canelo but will be frozen out like Canelo has worked to do due to not having a title. So we'll get a back and forth of messing around and frustrating Canelo. But what Haymon will do, is make Plant/Benevidez for the IBF title and ask for a huge cut of the money when Benevidez wins.
Haymon also knows Canelo wants to keep Benevidez hanging back for as long as possible because he struggles with the weight at 168. Haymon will want to give Benevidez the motivation to stay in shape by giving him the Plant fight and setting up the unification with Canelo soon after. So get ready for some games to be played. I would be shocked if Haymon does anything different to what i've detailed. I know how operates too well at this point.
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