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By Ant Evans: Champion Joe Calzaghe could soon be stripped of the IBF 168lbs championship he ripped from Jeff Lacy in that memorable 12 rounder in March. If the unbeaten Welshman, who also holds the WBO title, does not agree to fight IBF No.1 Robert Stieglitz by December, it appears the New Jersey based organisation will withdraw their recognition of him as the ruler of the super-middleweight division.
As reported here earlier in the week, Calzaghe is in negotiations to fight American Peter Manfredo, perhaps on March 10 in the UK.
However, the IBF claims they only agreed to allow Calzaghe to take on Sakio Bika in Manchester last month on the proviso that the Welshman then immediately take on unbeaten Russian-born Stieglitz.
IBF Championship Committee Chairman Lindsey Tucker emailed SecondsOut, stating: "The IBF has heard rumors of talks between IBF/WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe and Peter Manfredo.
"(The IBF's) No.1 contender Robert Stieglitz is the IBF mandatory challenger for Calzaghe. The IBF approved the Calzaghe vs Sakio Bika fight only after certain conditions were met. One, Stieglitz's camp agreed to let Calzaghe fight Bika because there was no German TV for the Oct. 14, 2006 date of their fight.
"Two, The Calzaghe vs Bika contract could not have a re-match clause in it. 3. We have signed letters from both Calzaghe and Bika stating that the winner would fight Stieglitz in December 2006 and take no intervening fights."
One can question whether Stieglitz should be in a mandatory challenger's position. Although the 25-year-old is 29-0 with 19KOs, his best win is over Columbian fringe contender Alejandro Berrio. If Team Calzaghe aren't enthused by the match, you could understand why; it will be a very hard sell indeed to HBO.
However, rules are rules and Stieglitz's title chance is now due.
Tucker added: "If Calzaghe is in fact going to fight Manfredo and not Stieglitz, I personally would be upset because Frank Warren promised the IBF that the winner of Calzaghe v Bika would fight Stieglitz in December.
"I don't think it's fair that Stieglitz should wait any longer. He earned his right to fight for the IBF Title and I want to see him get his shot next."
Of course, Team Calzaghe could be planning to fight Stieglitz and then Manfredo. But it seems like the IBF are set to strip Calzaghe of his gold and red belt just like they stripped Ricky Hatton when he passed on fighting Ben Rabah this summer.
As reported here earlier in the week, Calzaghe is in negotiations to fight American Peter Manfredo, perhaps on March 10 in the UK.
However, the IBF claims they only agreed to allow Calzaghe to take on Sakio Bika in Manchester last month on the proviso that the Welshman then immediately take on unbeaten Russian-born Stieglitz.
IBF Championship Committee Chairman Lindsey Tucker emailed SecondsOut, stating: "The IBF has heard rumors of talks between IBF/WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe and Peter Manfredo.
"(The IBF's) No.1 contender Robert Stieglitz is the IBF mandatory challenger for Calzaghe. The IBF approved the Calzaghe vs Sakio Bika fight only after certain conditions were met. One, Stieglitz's camp agreed to let Calzaghe fight Bika because there was no German TV for the Oct. 14, 2006 date of their fight.
"Two, The Calzaghe vs Bika contract could not have a re-match clause in it. 3. We have signed letters from both Calzaghe and Bika stating that the winner would fight Stieglitz in December 2006 and take no intervening fights."
One can question whether Stieglitz should be in a mandatory challenger's position. Although the 25-year-old is 29-0 with 19KOs, his best win is over Columbian fringe contender Alejandro Berrio. If Team Calzaghe aren't enthused by the match, you could understand why; it will be a very hard sell indeed to HBO.
However, rules are rules and Stieglitz's title chance is now due.
Tucker added: "If Calzaghe is in fact going to fight Manfredo and not Stieglitz, I personally would be upset because Frank Warren promised the IBF that the winner of Calzaghe v Bika would fight Stieglitz in December.
"I don't think it's fair that Stieglitz should wait any longer. He earned his right to fight for the IBF Title and I want to see him get his shot next."
Of course, Team Calzaghe could be planning to fight Stieglitz and then Manfredo. But it seems like the IBF are set to strip Calzaghe of his gold and red belt just like they stripped Ricky Hatton when he passed on fighting Ben Rabah this summer.
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