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Keep up good fight Joe
Feb 26 2006
Wales on Sunday
AS JOE Calzaghe braces himself for Judgement Day, he has been given counsel from two of Britain and Ireland's boxing greats.
Former world champs Nigel Benn and Steve Collins have told Welsh boxing's unbeaten hero: "Overcome Jeff Lacy and you can carry on for a few years yet."
Record-breaking WBO super-middleweight champ Calzaghe intends to grow old gracefully and quit the ring within three years 'so I don't damage my looks'.
Calzaghe celebrated his 34th birthday last Thursday with another gruelling training session as he cranked up the preparation for his career-defining unification showdown with American hardman Lacy next weekend.
If the unbeaten southpaw succumbs to the unthinkable against Lacy in the early hours of Sunday morning, the Welshman might bring his retirement plans forward a couple of years.
And if Calzaghe comes of age in his 18th WBO title defence - the biggest fight of his career - it might even tempt the Newbridge bruiser to sign off at the top.
That is unlikely, though, as laying out IBF and IBO champ Lacy would put Calzaghe in line for a few end-of-career pay days to boost his retirement kitty.
The two super-middleweight all-time greats have urged Calzaghe not to give up the fight too soon, when he still has more to give.
Collins, the previous incumbent of Calzaghe's WBO crown, believes the career longevity of the Valley boy will benefit thanks to his previous powers of destruction.
And former WBC king and fans favourite Benn reckons Calzaghe's 'lack of action' could extend his ring ruling for another five years. Celtic Warrior Collins said: "I know Joe has turned 34 but age won't be an issue for him because he hasn't had many long fights.
"Only eight of his 40 fights have gone the distance and in the last one against Evans Ashira, Joe had to fight within himself because he broke a bone in his hand very early on.
"Twenty seven of of his 31 knockouts have been within six rounds. Joe's habit of finishing off opponents quickly has meant he hasn't endured such long and arduous fights as I did.
"In that respect, Joe is a relatively young 34-year-old so there's a lot of fighting left in him - there's no doubt about that. It's just whether he has the heart and desire to continue."
While Benn is critical of Calzaghe's inactivity - this is just his sixth scrap in two-and-a-half years - the 'Dark Destroyer' believes it could be a blessing in disguise.
"Joe's camp have long complained that he doesn't get the recognition he deserves," said Benn. "But the reason for that in my mind is simple - Joe hasn't kept active enough. Sometimes the few fans he has outside of Wales, for one reason or another, have had to wait nine months between his fights and that is just too long.
"If you want a proper world title you fight for a WBA, WBC or IBF. I know Joe's division has been extremely poor these last eight or nine years, but either get a proper world title or go over there and deal with those American's.
"Joe's inactivity has meant that his name hasn't grown enough for other champions in and around his division to give him a crack, too much risk for too little money.
"Boxers need to keep themselves busy and that means fighting every four or five months, not just for profile purposes but to keep their momentum and fighting fitness up.
"However, every cloud has a silver lining and those long rests between fights should mean his career could continue. I reckon he's got another good five years left in the tank. Take the McClellan fight away and, even though most of my other fights were wars, I reckon I'd of still been fighting for world titles five years ago if I could get away with once or twice a year and stay out of wars."
World No 1 Calzaghe has reigned supreme in the division for more than eight years - he's the world's longest-reigning champion - since beating the legendary Chris Eubank on points for the vacant WBO belt in October 1997.
Former WBO champ Eubank, Benn and later Collins all revelled in Britain and Ireland's super-middleweight golden era but since the three amigos all hung up their gloves, the division Calzaghe has ruled has been sparse.
Benn said: "I'd have loved to have fought Joe. I reckon he'd have given all three of us a good going over.
"He is a talented boxer and I think he is as good as we were, I think I'd of pulled it out the bag like I did against Iran Barkley and Gerald McClellan who were on a different planet to any of Joe's 17 defences.
"He is a little unproven but guys like Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones have refused to fight him so what does that tell you? You have to be blind to ignore his talent and the shame is he's had no-one really to test himself against.
"Some of the opponents Joe has fought have been crap. They've come to spoil the fight and just make it as hard for Joe as possible.
"The occasional fighter has had a good go at Joe and it's in those fights that he has shown his outstanding boxing ability. And Joe has finished them off with the killer instinct of a top, top fighter."
But Collins chipped in: "You can't put Joe in the category of best super-middleweights ever as he hasn't fought anyone decent. If he had achieved what he did ten years earlier when we were around then you could argue he'd be the best of all time.
"But we were the best. Even 'Marvellous' Marvin Hagler wouldn't have lasted in our era!
"Joe couldn't choose what era he boxed in and that's just unfortunate."
Both Benn and Collins believe Calzaghe's dust-up with Lacy is the 'fight of his life' even though he fought Eubank.
But, as Irishman Collins points out, Eubank was past his sell-by date then while fellow unbeaten tough guy 'left hook' Lacy is now in his prime.
Collins said: "Joe couldn't of beaten Eubank if Joe was born a few years earlier, I think if Eubank was a couple of years younger he would of found a way to beat Joe because he wouldn't of been struggling with weight and would of had more time to prepare.
"Lacy is in his prime but you can't put him in the same bracket as us, in our prime."
The 28-year-old fighter from Florida insists he has the power to lower Calzaghe's colours.
But Collins replied: "Yeah, but Lacy has never been in the ring with anyone like Joe.
"Lacy hasn't faced a boxer with Joe's punching power and someone that throws so many punches. It's a step up for both boxers and they'll be fighting on a level they've never fought before but, for me, Joe's the best there is and that includes Lacy.
"I really rate Calzaghe as a boxer not just a brawler and I'd back him against Lacy any day, just as long as he has prepared right.
"And let's face it, if Joe couldn't get up for this fight then he's got serious problems!
"He won't want to let himself or his people down.
"People have doubted his credentials as one of the best for all of his career so Joe would want to shut those doubters up once and for all. This is as good a level as Joe can hope for - this is it.
"Pundits have talked about Joe's left hand being a potential problem after he broke a bone in his previous fight to Ashira but that's nonsense.
"Joe won't hold back - and anyway I don't think any fighter goes in the ring without some problem or other."
Feb 26 2006
Wales on Sunday
AS JOE Calzaghe braces himself for Judgement Day, he has been given counsel from two of Britain and Ireland's boxing greats.
Former world champs Nigel Benn and Steve Collins have told Welsh boxing's unbeaten hero: "Overcome Jeff Lacy and you can carry on for a few years yet."
Record-breaking WBO super-middleweight champ Calzaghe intends to grow old gracefully and quit the ring within three years 'so I don't damage my looks'.
Calzaghe celebrated his 34th birthday last Thursday with another gruelling training session as he cranked up the preparation for his career-defining unification showdown with American hardman Lacy next weekend.
If the unbeaten southpaw succumbs to the unthinkable against Lacy in the early hours of Sunday morning, the Welshman might bring his retirement plans forward a couple of years.
And if Calzaghe comes of age in his 18th WBO title defence - the biggest fight of his career - it might even tempt the Newbridge bruiser to sign off at the top.
That is unlikely, though, as laying out IBF and IBO champ Lacy would put Calzaghe in line for a few end-of-career pay days to boost his retirement kitty.
The two super-middleweight all-time greats have urged Calzaghe not to give up the fight too soon, when he still has more to give.
Collins, the previous incumbent of Calzaghe's WBO crown, believes the career longevity of the Valley boy will benefit thanks to his previous powers of destruction.
And former WBC king and fans favourite Benn reckons Calzaghe's 'lack of action' could extend his ring ruling for another five years. Celtic Warrior Collins said: "I know Joe has turned 34 but age won't be an issue for him because he hasn't had many long fights.
"Only eight of his 40 fights have gone the distance and in the last one against Evans Ashira, Joe had to fight within himself because he broke a bone in his hand very early on.
"Twenty seven of of his 31 knockouts have been within six rounds. Joe's habit of finishing off opponents quickly has meant he hasn't endured such long and arduous fights as I did.
"In that respect, Joe is a relatively young 34-year-old so there's a lot of fighting left in him - there's no doubt about that. It's just whether he has the heart and desire to continue."
While Benn is critical of Calzaghe's inactivity - this is just his sixth scrap in two-and-a-half years - the 'Dark Destroyer' believes it could be a blessing in disguise.
"Joe's camp have long complained that he doesn't get the recognition he deserves," said Benn. "But the reason for that in my mind is simple - Joe hasn't kept active enough. Sometimes the few fans he has outside of Wales, for one reason or another, have had to wait nine months between his fights and that is just too long.
"If you want a proper world title you fight for a WBA, WBC or IBF. I know Joe's division has been extremely poor these last eight or nine years, but either get a proper world title or go over there and deal with those American's.
"Joe's inactivity has meant that his name hasn't grown enough for other champions in and around his division to give him a crack, too much risk for too little money.
"Boxers need to keep themselves busy and that means fighting every four or five months, not just for profile purposes but to keep their momentum and fighting fitness up.
"However, every cloud has a silver lining and those long rests between fights should mean his career could continue. I reckon he's got another good five years left in the tank. Take the McClellan fight away and, even though most of my other fights were wars, I reckon I'd of still been fighting for world titles five years ago if I could get away with once or twice a year and stay out of wars."
World No 1 Calzaghe has reigned supreme in the division for more than eight years - he's the world's longest-reigning champion - since beating the legendary Chris Eubank on points for the vacant WBO belt in October 1997.
Former WBO champ Eubank, Benn and later Collins all revelled in Britain and Ireland's super-middleweight golden era but since the three amigos all hung up their gloves, the division Calzaghe has ruled has been sparse.
Benn said: "I'd have loved to have fought Joe. I reckon he'd have given all three of us a good going over.
"He is a talented boxer and I think he is as good as we were, I think I'd of pulled it out the bag like I did against Iran Barkley and Gerald McClellan who were on a different planet to any of Joe's 17 defences.
"He is a little unproven but guys like Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones have refused to fight him so what does that tell you? You have to be blind to ignore his talent and the shame is he's had no-one really to test himself against.
"Some of the opponents Joe has fought have been crap. They've come to spoil the fight and just make it as hard for Joe as possible.
"The occasional fighter has had a good go at Joe and it's in those fights that he has shown his outstanding boxing ability. And Joe has finished them off with the killer instinct of a top, top fighter."
But Collins chipped in: "You can't put Joe in the category of best super-middleweights ever as he hasn't fought anyone decent. If he had achieved what he did ten years earlier when we were around then you could argue he'd be the best of all time.
"But we were the best. Even 'Marvellous' Marvin Hagler wouldn't have lasted in our era!
"Joe couldn't choose what era he boxed in and that's just unfortunate."
Both Benn and Collins believe Calzaghe's dust-up with Lacy is the 'fight of his life' even though he fought Eubank.
But, as Irishman Collins points out, Eubank was past his sell-by date then while fellow unbeaten tough guy 'left hook' Lacy is now in his prime.
Collins said: "Joe couldn't of beaten Eubank if Joe was born a few years earlier, I think if Eubank was a couple of years younger he would of found a way to beat Joe because he wouldn't of been struggling with weight and would of had more time to prepare.
"Lacy is in his prime but you can't put him in the same bracket as us, in our prime."
The 28-year-old fighter from Florida insists he has the power to lower Calzaghe's colours.
But Collins replied: "Yeah, but Lacy has never been in the ring with anyone like Joe.
"Lacy hasn't faced a boxer with Joe's punching power and someone that throws so many punches. It's a step up for both boxers and they'll be fighting on a level they've never fought before but, for me, Joe's the best there is and that includes Lacy.
"I really rate Calzaghe as a boxer not just a brawler and I'd back him against Lacy any day, just as long as he has prepared right.
"And let's face it, if Joe couldn't get up for this fight then he's got serious problems!
"He won't want to let himself or his people down.
"People have doubted his credentials as one of the best for all of his career so Joe would want to shut those doubters up once and for all. This is as good a level as Joe can hope for - this is it.
"Pundits have talked about Joe's left hand being a potential problem after he broke a bone in his previous fight to Ashira but that's nonsense.
"Joe won't hold back - and anyway I don't think any fighter goes in the ring without some problem or other."
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