Calzaghe Set on Clash with Hopkins

[Bozo_no no]

Are we reading about Joe being "scared" again? Isn't this what we had to trawl through before the Lacy fight?

I thought Joe "feared" Lacy... until he beat the **** out of him non-stop for 12 rounds.

Kessler is the big fight at Super Middle.

You can say whatever you want, but it's the biggest fight out there in his division, a shot at having all 4 titles, and one of the most interesting match ups in the sport.

[jangeorg]

What? Seriously, what?

You think Calzaghe hasn't fought anyone? Ten former world champions and he hasn't fought anyone?

Kessler - decent competition? An utterly shot Beyer - who at best was only ever mediocre. Mundine - never understood how anyone ever rated him ... came up short every time he went to World level. Who else has he fought? Lucas? Siaca? Who?

I hope the fight does happen, and your last sentence is spot on. The rest is utter misinformed garbage though.

That is why Calzaghe needs to fight Kessler in February. There is not one other fight out there that makes sense. If he avoids this challenge then it will just reinforce the opinion, which is some what valid, that he has been defending a second rate belt against mostly second rate cotenders for the last 19 fights

[SHB]

You're full of it. Calzaghe's resume is highlighted by Lacy, an old Eubank, Woodhall, Reid and Mario Viet.

The bottom line is that you're suggesting Kessler's never fought anyone while acting like Calzaghe's so much better. His resume is very average at best.


Calzaghe's last 5 opponents: Bika Lacy Ashira Viet Saleem

Kessler's last 5 opponents: Beyer, Lucas, Mundine Siaca Thyesse


There is no position whatsoever to act like Calzaghe's opposition is so superior it gives him a pass on Kessler.

Bottom line: Kessler has two titles and deserves to be where he is. He's an undefeated unified Champion, and a deserving candadate for a shot at Calzaghe.

Who says it gives him a pass? No mention of Brewer? Mitchell? Sheika (back when he was very good)? Odd. And are you really saying that Kessler's last 5 opponents list is impressive? Christ, you need to raise your standards.

Only a fool in need of being institutionalised would say that Kessler's resume is superior to Calzaghe's. Hell, even the Danes are saying that Kessler has fought no-one and needs a fight against a big fighter to see what he can do.

Again, you manage to save yourself with the last line. Well done.

[SHB]

That is why Calzaghe needs to fight Kessler in February. There is not one other fight out there that makes sense. If he avoids this challenge then it will just reinforce the opinion, which is some what valid, that he has been defending a second rate belt against mostly second rate cotenders for the last 19 fights

If he fights Hopkins, does this mean he is dodging Kessler? I bet some would think it does. If he doesn't fight a big name, or Kessler for the belts, in his next fight then feel free to flame away ... he'll deserve everything he gets.

Edit - oh, and the same goes for Kessler now. If he fights some no-mark now after calling out a big name, then he deserves all the criticism.

[FeelTheA-Force]

Hopkins would kill Calzaghe, and if he doesn't so what he's a hundred.

bcoz hes american

[Bozo_no no]

Who says it gives him a pass? No mention of Brewer? Mitchell? Sheika (back when he was very good)? Odd. And are you really saying that Kessler's last 5 opponents list is impressive? Christ, you need to raise your standards.

Only a fool in need of being institutionalised would say that Kessler's resume is superior to Calzaghe's. Hell, even the Danes are saying that Kessler has fought no-one and needs a fight against a big fighter to see what he can do.

Again, you manage to save yourself with the last line. Well done.

You're just another blind fan who makes the others look bad. You're outright deluded.

You're writing off Beyer, Lucas, Mundine and telling me Bika's better than anyone Kessler's fought?

You're Talking about how poor Kessler's last fights have been when I just pointed out Joe's latest fights include Ashira Viet and Saleem?

Nice play on dropping that "Omar Sheika" card.

The point is Kessler has earned his ranking by beating who's out there in his last 4 and 5 fights. That's a solid list for what's available at Supper Middle, and no matter how much you want to spin Beyer as shot, Kessler destroyed him.

I'm not saying Kessler deseves a higher ranking than Joe, or that his resume is better overall. He's 28.

The point I'm making is that he's put himself in a position where he's far and away the #1 contender for Joe's top spot, and that it's a very attractive match up at Supper Middle and for the entire sport.

There's no reason Joe should be brushing him off looking at faded fighters like Jones and Hopkins.

He said flat out last week he wants to break the defense record at 168. That should include the top Supper Middles available, and Kessler is far and away the biggest challenge now.

[Cletus Funk]

Bika was an utter nightmare - a counter-punching headbutter who could take a shot. If you could have built a fighter for JC to look terrible against (both technically and mentally) this would have been it. You have to give Bika a lot of credit though - he dragged it down to the trenches and could have got lucky. I hope he goes on from here and gets some more recognition. Saying that, the judges still had it by a wide margin - a fact that seems to have been ignored by most.

I'm not sure anyone knows how good Kessler is - he's simply not fought anyone. He's demolished the mexican roadsweepers he's fought, but who knows. If Lacy was untested given his resume, where does this put Kessler? It's a fight that should happen though, and I'll pick Calzaghe by UD for the simpe reason you know he's got the capability. Kessler is just too unknown - it's like Mario Veit all over again, but without the belts.

Bika's been pretty competitive in both his title attempts and he may well have gone on to beat Beyer so he's definitely got something. I don't think many fighters could look good against him.

Kessler is pretty strong and even though he hasn't fought any world class opponents it's still fairly clear to see that Joe at his best would work him to a comfortable UD. Kessler's fairly slow getting his punches off and Calzaghe would just pepper him and be gone, time after time. They're different levels of fighter really.

[FeelTheA-Force]

You're writing off Beyer, Lucas, Mundine and telling me Bika's better than anyone Kessler's fought?

actually bika showed more strenght and heart then lacy did. i reckon Bika would most probably beat Lacy

[Bozo_no no]

Kessler's fairly slow getting his punches off and Calzaghe would just pepper him and be gone, time after time.

WOW

[-EX-]

I think Hopkins can beat Calzaghe if they fought but it wouldn't be easy. I think Hopkins will accept the challenge but I don't think he needs it and shouldn't come back.