Glen Johnson: "Joe Calzaghe Was Scared. He Backed Out Of 3 Fights"

[Dirk Diggler UK]

You obviously haven't been watching boxing long. I know for a fact that Calzaghe DID back out of at least one fight with Johnson (claiming an injury. The stories about it were on this site) and told him later that he would have to come to 168 to fight him when he knew Johnson couldn't make 168.

Calzaghe had trouble making 168 throughout his career, the Johnson fight was always proposed to go ahead at 175.

[Unbelievable]

Your comments are not accurate. I remember when Johnson had a fight set up against Calzaghe at 175 long before the Lacy and Kessler fights. The fight was signed and Calzaghe backed out, claiming he had an injury. I remember reading that boxing writers and officials thought that he was out of shape and that was why he backed out. They rescheduled the fight, but the only way Johnson would take it was if Calzaghe gave him more money. They signed that fight. However, Johnson then received an offer to fight Jones for more money in Jones comeback bout after being KO'd by Tarver. He took the fight and KO'd Jones.

Calzaghe did not want anything to do with Johnson after that. The last I heard about a bout between the two, Calzaghe was demanding that Johnson come down to 168 to fight him. That was after Johnson had fought Tarver twice. Johnson couldn't make it and turned the fight down. However, at that same time he was demanding Johnson come down to 168, Calzaghe was trying to secure a fight against Clinton Woods at 175. It was after that time that Calzaghe then moved up to 175 to fight an over-the-hill Hopkins and Roy Jones.

I never knew about this. Thanks for that.

[big_james10]

Calzaghe had trouble making 168 throughout his career, the Johnson fight was always proposed to go ahead at 175.

If Calzaghe had trouble making 168, why did he stay at 168 for several years after he backed out of the fight with Johson. Johnson fought Roy Jones. Calzaghe STAYED at 168 for several more years, including fights against Lacy and Kessler.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

If Calzaghe had trouble making 168, why did he stay at 168 for several years after he backed out of the fight with Johson. Johnson fought Roy Jones. Calzaghe STAYED at 168 for several more years, including fights against Lacy and Kessler.

Im just saying he didnt "demand" Johnson come down to 168, the fight was always proposed for 175.

[Ray*]

Has far as i know calzaghe was suppose to fight Johnson at 175, He was also suppose to fight Clinton woods at 175 but for some reason the fight didnt happen also.

[NakiFan]

Calzaghe did have mental problems.

But still he fought people at the time who were more valuable opponents and he would of schooled Johnson

[big_james10]

Im just saying he didnt "demand" Johnson come down to 168, the fight was always proposed for 175.

How do you know? I read, ON THIS SITE, that Calzaghe wanted Johnson to come down to 168 and Johnson said he couldn't make that weight. That was long after the Johnson/Jones fight and before Calzaghe moved up to 175 to fight Hopkins. The information may be wrong, but then again, it could be accurate.

[Mersey]

[big_james10]

Calzaghe did have mental problems.

But still he fought people at the time who were more valuable opponents and he would of schooled Johnson

I think Calzaghe would have outboxed him as long as he could avoid getting nailed by a big right hand, but I don't believe you can say he fought more valuable opponents (unless you mean monetarily). I don't think Lacy or Kessler were better opponents than Johnson. And since both Hopkins and Jones were both past their primes, I don't think they were better opponents at the time.

[big_james10]

Has far as i know calzaghe was suppose to fight Johnson at 175, He was also suppose to fight Clinton woods at 175 but for some reason the fight didnt happen also.

I don't even remember reading anything about a Calzaghe/Woods fight even being negotiated. I know that Calzaghe said he wanted to fight him but, I don't think they ever began serious negotiations.