Steve Bunce sounded confident......

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 Feb 2004, 09:08

Now, I know Bunce has come in for some criticism here, I personally think he's fine and brings drama to the presentation (which essentially is his job). He almost seemed as if Johnson vs Calzaghe is signed and sealed.

Anybody know anything about this, Johnson would be a good opponent for Joe in a tough fight to call. I think Joe might out work Glen, but I'm not at all certain.

With the WBO champ looking the goods, I can only see Branco as a poor champion. It could be interesting few months in this devision.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 07 Feb 2004, 09:23

stujones wrote:Now, I know Bunce has come in for some criticism here, I personally think he's fine and brings drama to the presentation (which essentially is his job). He almost seemed as if Johnson vs Calzaghe is signed and sealed.

Anybody know anything about this, Johnson would be a good opponent for Joe in a tough fight to call. I think Joe might out work Glen, but I'm not at all certain.

With the WBO champ looking the goods, I can only see Branco as a poor champion. It could be interesting few months in this devision.

Bunce said Clinton Woods was going to stop Johnson a couple of weeks ago on the Beeb.

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 07 Feb 2004, 10:29

Calzaghe would have trouble with Johnson????????!!!!!

Really?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 07 Feb 2004, 10:36

Matchfixer wrote:Calzaghe would have trouble with Johnson????????!!!!!

Really?

Don't underestimate Johnson. He can give anyone a tough fight (and was robbed against current WBA light-heavy champ Silvio Branco in Italy). The only man to stop him is Bernard Hopkins in 11 rounds - and even that was a tough fight up to the finish. There's no way Calzaghe would do a Byron Mitchell on the Jamaican.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 Feb 2004, 11:37

I think it will be as big a test as Calzaghe's likely to get. Johnson has a great chin and some good skills. I think this fight will be a long one. The one aspect which I think Calzaghe will capatalise on is the fact Johnson can't do 36 minutes with taking a rest.

This time round he started more conservatively, but still needed to all but stop in the 8th and 9th, he seemed desperately tired in the 12th after an excellent 10th and 11th. This is the worrying aspect for Johnson's future. I disagree with the large consensus of view, Johnson wasn't any better than he was in the first match, in fact I thought he was slightly, but significantly worse this time. I was shocked that he couldn't keep up his early pace for the 12 rounds, he managed 10 good rounds and two rest rounds. Last time he last a similar amount - but most of his 10 "fresh" rounds, he fought at a higher intensity and workrate.

What I can see is something similar to Calzaghe vs Brewer, if Joe faces Johnson. I think Johnson may take the earlier rounds, because I do think he's better than Joe - but will conk out and Joe will come back an eek a majority decision.

It will be a great match, far more promising than Joe against Ottke (and a tougher one to call).

big lennox · Post by **big lennox** » 07 Feb 2004, 12:07

I hope Steve Bunce is right.I would love to see johnson vs Calzaghe.It would be a corking fight, I think.

Incidently, why does steve bunce come in to so much critisism? I think he seems like a good guy, is very passionate about his boxing, and is very carismatic, which is what is needed to help draw viewers in.Some of my none boxing friends think he is good value.I bet he would be a good laugh to go for a pint with.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 Feb 2004, 12:11

big lennox wrote:I hope Steve Bunce is right.I would love to see johnson vs Calzaghe.It would be a corking fight, I think.

Incidently, why does steve bunce come in to so much critisism? I think he seems like a good guy, is very passionate about his boxing, and is very carismatic, which is what is needed to help draw viewers in.Some of my none boxing friends think he is good value.I bet he would be a good laugh to go for a pint with.

Thats my views on Bunce. Him and Woodhall make a good act and I do believe Inverdale is starting to enjoy the work alot more. Its getting there.

big lennox · Post by **big lennox** » 07 Feb 2004, 12:21

I agree, I think Steve Bunce and Richie Woodall are an excellent pairing.Furthermore, John Inverdale is an excellent host.And, I think his enjoyment from the boxing matches is written on his face.He seems a nice guy as well.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 Feb 2004, 12:35

I'm sure Steve will be glad of your encouraging words, apparently he does have an account on boxrec and views this site.

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 07 Feb 2004, 12:55

My problem with Bunce is based purely on his Boxing Monthly article and nothing to do with his presenting skills. He' much better than Paul ' the interupter ' Dempsy or Derek ' i know lewis' Williams.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 07 Feb 2004, 13:50

Woods to stop Johnson was a pretty daft prediction.
Maybe the Calzaghe fight would be easy to make, because the Jamaican/American will likely have to travel to make defences, looking for paydays abroad. He's not exaclty a big draw.
Too strong for Woods, but I think Calzaghe could probably handle him. Points or late stopage.
It'd be a good fight for Joe to take: Johnson never gives up, and gives anyone a real fight. it'd be a great fight to watch too.

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 07 Feb 2004, 14:22

I am a little surprised on these views about Calzaghe v Johnson being a tough fight for Joe!

Johnson is not that much better than Woods with several weaknesses and Calzaghe is an unbeaten fighter.

Are you sure it would be close? Is Calzaghe over rated?

Some people talk about matching Calzaghe with RJJ... If he would struggle with Johnson I don't think I would want to see him fight RJJ!

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 07 Feb 2004, 14:39

Kevo wrote:My problem with Bunce is based purely on his Boxing Monthly article and nothing to do with his presenting skills. He' much better than Paul ' the interupter ' Dempsy or Derek ' i know lewis' Williams.

Derek Williams is pretty usless but i like Dempsey, as for Inverdale i would disagree with the person who says he enjoys Boxing, he is a smug contentious fool who is merely a stand in until his beloved Tennis comes round again, he has not regard for Boxing from what can see.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 07 Feb 2004, 16:16

steve689 wrote:
Kevo wrote:My problem with Bunce is based purely on his Boxing Monthly article and nothing to do with his presenting skills. He' much better than Paul ' the interupter ' Dempsy or Derek ' i know lewis' Williams.
Derek Williams is pretty usless but i like Dempsey, as for Inverdale i would disagree with the person who says he enjoys Boxing, he is a smug contentious fool who is merely a stand in until his beloved Tennis comes round again, he has not regard for Boxing from what can see.

Yes, I agree with Steve. John Inverdale's contempt for boxing always seems close to the surface.

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 08 Feb 2004, 09:11

steve689 wrote:
Kevo wrote: as for Inverdale i would disagree with the person who says he enjoys Boxing, he is a smug contentious fool who is merely a stand in until his beloved Tennis comes round again, .

Don't forget worlds strongest man!!!

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 08 Feb 2004, 09:35

Matchfixer wrote:I am a little surprised on these views about Calzaghe v Johnson being a tough fight for Joe!

Johnson is not that much better than Woods with several weaknesses and Calzaghe is an unbeaten fighter.

Are you sure it would be close? Is Calzaghe over rated?

Some people talk about matching Calzaghe with RJJ... If he would struggle with Johnson I don't think I would want to see him fight RJJ!

Johnson beat Woods in the man's own hometown of Sheffield (arguably twice). That takes some doing. Since when did Calzaghe beat anyone in his own hometown!
And look at the men he has fought and, in many cases, beaten. He beat the dangerous Eric Harding to secure his title shot. And looked very unlucky to drop a decision to recently deposed WBO champ Julio Cesar Gonzalez. If he can run an ex-WBO light-heavy champ close, he can do the same thing to an ex-WBO champ moving up.

big lennox · Post by **big lennox** » 08 Feb 2004, 10:05

I have to say I quitel ike Bunce's article in boxing monthly.It is always tongue and cheek.As for Invedale, I spoke with him after the Woods fight and I think he really enjoyed the nights boxing.Rugby is his first passion but that does not mean he has contempt for boxing.I think he is learning about boxing all the time and lets Richie Woodall and Steve Bunce provide the details.A good system I think.

Also, It will be interesting to see what happens with Calzaghe as I rate him as a hell of a fighter.He has an excellent record both as an amateur and proffessional, but above all, is fight with Byron Mitchell last year was really quite something.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Feb 2004, 09:18

Johnson is a very good fighter indeed, he's a middleweight who has moved up to light heavy, and has mixed with very good company, getting shafted more times than a coal seam.

No way will Calzaghe have an easy time with Johnson in my book. Easier possibly than he would with Tarver, who is a boiled down cruiserweight, but Johnson is in some ways similar to Calzaghe, but has better variety in his work, and just as good handspeed.

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 11 Feb 2004, 09:23

I think Johnson could give Calzaghe a very very tough fight indeed.

If betting I would go for a Johnson points victory.

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 11 Feb 2004, 09:36

This is mooted to be happening according to this article:

According to ‘The Guardian’ newspaper Joe Calzaghe is looking to fight newly crowned IBF light heavyweight champion Glencoffe Johnson. Earlier this week Calzaghe and promoter allegedly gave up the chase for middleweight king Bernard Hopkins and now have 35 year old Johnson firmly in their sights. Calzaghe first has to defend his WBO super middleweight title against Armenian Mger Mkrtchian on February 21 and provided he comes through unscathed will jump up a division to 175lbs.

"Hopkins is a nut, because we offered $2.5m with no strings attached," Warren told The Guardian.
"But he didn't want to know. So Johnson is an obvious fight for Joe, especially with the public having just seen him fight twice against (Clinton) Woods.

“Johnson is a good old pro, but I believe Joe is destined to become the best light-heavyweight in the world."

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Feb 2004, 12:00

Will Johnson put his foot down and demand the fight be staged in America?

I won't blame him if he does, he's been the travelling guy most of his life, and now he's the champ, why shouldn't he defend at home, and have hometown advantage for once?

If Calzaghe refuses to travel to fight him, then it's going to really hurt his reputation in my opinion, it's one thing to demand people come to you when you are the champ, but when the other guy has the belt and you're moving up in weight, there's really no excuse.

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 11 Feb 2004, 12:04

Glen would be a tough fight and one I'd give love to see. If Glen can bring that workrate of his to Cardiff we could see Calzaghe outworked for parts of the fights. Johnson is the bigger man and JC won't have it as easy as some think.

just seen that bit in the guardian so it might be coming soon..........plus the IBF title is a bit more respectful than the WBO and you'll get some good mandatories!

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 11 Feb 2004, 16:33

I think Glen would rather have the fight in Cardiff than in the States. I know he has been reputedly been on the wrong end of a good few decisions, but his main concern seems to be making as much money as he can before getting out to grow as old as he looks!

Staging the fight in America makes no sense at all...what TV would be interested over there (as a main event)? Whereas it would be a big one in Britain.

Glen has already told Joe's camp to show him the money and he'll do it in Wales.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 12 Feb 2004, 06:08

Yes agree with Ian here, Johnson wouldn't draw a crowd if he fought bollock naked in his own front garden.

Warren obviously likes the fight and will win the purse bids by a country mile, setting Joe up for a Cardiff summer showdown. Calzaghe wins on points.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Feb 2004, 06:16

Well Johnson shouldn't be fazed by travelling that's for sure.

I am actually going to go for Johnson to beat Calzaghe. I think he's going to fight with just as much fire against Calzaghe as he did against Woods.

Calzaghe will meet fire with fire, but Johnson is a tough man and has good power in those quick hands. I don't think Calzaghe will be able to outbox him, and I think he will get hurt in the exchanges if he goes toe-to-toe.

Perhaps I'm being a bit hopeful because I like Johnson, but I have my doubts whether Calzaghe will be able to bang with Johnson. Calzaghe is not that hard to hit, and Johnson will bang harder than anyone Calzaghe has faced so far.

Steve Bunce sounded confident......

Steve Bunce sounded confident......

Re: Steve Bunce sounded confident......