Poll:Would Joe Calzaghe have fought Andre Ward

**damuttz112** · 05-30-2013, 03:34 AM

Hopkins was very much still in it, He hadn't faced a fighter with that workrate and toughness since. Joe C beats Ward.

**yoz** · 05-30-2013, 03:34 AM

In before the Yanks b*tch about Joe not fighting in the 'States earlier.

**CraigM** · 05-30-2013, 03:50 AM

Hopkins didn't want the fight - The pair were supposed to fight in 2002 with Then showtime senior Vice President of sports and events Jay Larkin revealing
‘A teleconference was set up in July 30th in New York, on the call was myself, Don King, Frank Warren and Bernard Hopkins lawyer Arnold Joseph. Along with Arnold was a women named Linda Carter who was there on behalf of Bernard. Arnold was asked how much it would take to set up a fight between Calzaghe and Hopkins and responded $3 million and the fight would have to be in the United States. Frank Warren immediately agreed, Don King agreed and as far as we were concerned all parties were singing from the same hymn sheet.

Arnold excused himself with Linda which I assume was to call Bernard. They came back with a new figure, $6 million, the deal collapsed.

Ottke wouldn't fight him and was really the only SMW who was worth fighting at the time, Taylor wouldn't move up to SuperMiddle until Joe moved to Light Heavy...

Granted he did duck Johnson, but the Jones thing always makes me smile... Joe won his SuperMiddle title after Jones had already moved up to Light Heavy so him being able to fight a prime pound for pound maybe best ever fighter would've been career suicide.

So yeah I think he wouldve fought Ward

**Earl-Hickey** · 05-30-2013, 04:52 AM

Originally posted by CraigM

Hopkins didn't want the fight - The pair were supposed to fight in 2002 with Then showtime senior Vice President of sports and events Jay Larkin revealing
�A teleconference was set up in July 30th in New York, on the call was myself, Don King, Frank Warren and Bernard Hopkins lawyer Arnold Joseph. Along with Arnold was a women named Linda Carter who was there on behalf of Bernard. Arnold was asked how much it would take to set up a fight between Calzaghe and Hopkins and responded $3 million and the fight would have to be in the United States. Frank Warren immediately agreed, Don King agreed and as far as we were concerned all parties were singing from the same hymn sheet.

Arnold excused himself with Linda which I assume was to call Bernard. They came back with a new figure, $6 million, the deal collapsed.

Ottke wouldn't fight him and was really the only SMW who was worth fighting at the time, Taylor wouldn't move up to SuperMiddle until Joe moved to Light Heavy...

Granted he did duck Johnson, but the Jones thing always makes me smile... Joe won his SuperMiddle title after Jones had already moved up to Light Heavy so him being able to fight a prime pound for pound maybe best ever fighter would've been career suicide.

So yeah I think he wouldve fought Ward

Love how this will be ignored

Also, there were two occasions where calzaghe vs Johnson was being lined up, both times Johnson then lost to someone else, one of these times (Johnson vs sheikah) joe was actually at ringside as they were looking to set up calzaghe vs Johnson, but Johnson lost so joe fought sheikah instead. So I guess he "ducked" Johnson to fight the guy who beat him.

Again, that'll be ignored

**Juof** · 05-30-2013, 05:55 AM

Calzaghe would of fought him but i doubt he would have won

**Sugarj** · 05-30-2013, 05:59 AM

I don't think Joe would have avoided Ward. Remember that before he beat Lacy and Kessler, they were both being built up as undefeated champions and potential pound for pound stars. Lacy particularly was being lined up as something like the next Tyson at the weight.

Ward is superb technically, but he's not as good as prime Jones Jnr at super middleweight (who I could understand anyone avoiding). Ward doesn't have terrifying power either.

I think Calzaghe's confidence in his handspeed, chin and distance workrate would have convinced him to meet Ward.

**yoz** · 05-30-2013, 06:28 AM

Sure, Joe would have fought Ward. He wouldn't have travelled to Oakland, though.

**Earl-Hickey** · 05-30-2013, 06:32 AM

Originally posted by yoz

Sure, Joe would have fought Ward. He wouldn't have travelled to Oakland, though.

Yeah.

70,000 in Cardiff or 8,000 in Oakland

Ward would have demanded Oakland, the Yanks would have been all "gotta come to 'murrica" and accused Sir Zaggers of ducking

**CraigM** · 05-30-2013, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by Earl Hickey

Yeah.

70,000 in Cardiff or 8,000 in Oakland

Ward would have demanded Oakland, the Yanks would have been all "gotta come to 'murrica" and accused Sir Zaggers of ducking

Love it!

and the best thing is those 70k people would happily wait until the early hours of the morning with no way of getting home just to please the American viewing times.

God that was one cold night in Cardiff station!

Poll:Would Joe Calzaghe have fought Andre Ward