IBF light-heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver has insisted he is the opponent Joe Calzaghe must face if the Welshman wants to cement his legacy as one of boxing's all-time greats.
Tarver, who stunned Sheffield's Clinton Woods earlier this month to take the Briton's title and possibly end his career, has joined Roy Jones in offering to tackle Calzaghe on either side of the Atlantic.
The American is desperate to unify the 175lb division but would be happy to postpone that aim to fight the Newbridge boxer in what appears sure to be the unbeaten star's last bout.
Calzaghe moved up from super-middleweight to defeat Bernard Hopkins at the weekend and while no official title was at stake, his victory has propelled him to the summit of the division.
Legendary four-weight world champion Jones is currently Calzaghe's most likely opponent, with the veteran proposing a lucrative showdown in Britain. Undisputed middleweight king Kelly Pavlik, WBC champion Chad Dawson and a rematch with Hopkins have also been mooted.
However, Jones is some way past his best and has not held a world title since losing to Tarver in 2004.
And the self-proclaimed 'Magic Man' insists a fight with him, rather than Jones, would be far more meaningful.
In a statement released to the Press Association, Tarver said: "I am the only light-heavyweight champion who currently holds two belts and on my way to unifying the belts this year.
"I will fight Calzaghe in the US, in the UK or wherever he wants to fight."
He added: "Everyone was mentioned as Calzaghe's potential next opponent but me, the true light-heavyweight world champion."
Referring to Calzaghe's post-fight boast after beating Hopkins - who beat Tarver in 2006 - Tarver continued: "I am the real 'legend killer'. I beat Roy Jones not once but twice.
"I have also beaten Glen Johnson, Clinton Woods and many more top fighters in the light-heavyweight division."
Calzaghe, 36, will probably fight once more before retiring and is understandably keen to ensure it is a fitting farewell.
And a rematch with Hopkins, whom he beat via split decision on Saturday, does not tick that box.
"His style doesn't gel into an exciting fight so of course I won't give him a rematch," said the Welsh southpaw.
"Why should I? It was pretty close, but I felt I won the fight."
Jones was amiable while ringside at the Calzaghe-Hopkins fight and said: "I would love to fight Joe in front of all those fans in Wales.
"I hope we will have the deal done next week to fight on November 15. I would see it as the best moment of my career."
http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news ... arver.html
TARVER: FIGHT ME OR BE AN ORDINARY JOE
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Rocky Balboa
- Heavyweight
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I think Joe would outclass Tarver easily. Roy Jones will be Calzaghe's next fight for sure. There's too much money involved in the bout for it not to happen imo.Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:I'd much rather see Tarver v Dawson. Joe beat Bernard who outclassed Tarver.
Jones has said he's willing to fight in Wales, so I expect the bout to take place there. If it does take place there, then I hope Jones will be well rewarded.
I think Pavlik would present Calzaghe with a sterner fight than Jones will. I'd like to see Calzaghe-Pavlik at SMW. I mean, it's not as if that's not a marketable fight. Pavlik is popular & has a style that would make for an exciting fight.
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
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legend Killer.jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think Tarver would give Joe a hard fight.
He is capable of doing a lot of what Hopkins did off the back foot, although he is not as good on the inside, he also seems to carry more of a dig.
I think the fight should be made, but Calzaghe would sadly rather fight the ghost of Roy Jones.
Maybe he should fight fight Leon Spinks?
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Max Molyneux
- Heavyweight
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Tarver makes a good case for himself. Props to Tarver, asking for the biggest fights. Also, for being willing to concede home ground.
The fight does have a nice story, as Tarver will be trying to batter another Brit.
However, Joe can say, I beat Hopkins and Hopkins absolutely humiliated Tarver.
Showtime will be pissed off with Tarver. They want to make Tarver-Dawson; that's the main reason they had Tarver on there in the 1st place with Muriqui and Santiago!
I'm glad Joe isn't getting massive credit for his win over Hopkins. i thought he won but there's always too much back slapping when it comes to Calzaghe. The build up to Kessler, FFS, they didn't try to hype it as dangerous; it was just the Joe and Enzo show. More importantly, it puts the onus on him to choose a worthy opponent next time out, with some sources (mainly the BBC and the AP) having Joe a 1 point loser.
I'd rather see Tarver than Jones. And I'd rather see Pavlik get the assignment than Tarver.
In fact, I'd rather Joe stuck around and fought Jones, Pavlik, Tarver and someone like Johnson or Byrd. We can't just alow Joe to leave boxing, just as the meaningful fights are arriving, can we?
The fight does have a nice story, as Tarver will be trying to batter another Brit.
However, Joe can say, I beat Hopkins and Hopkins absolutely humiliated Tarver.
Showtime will be pissed off with Tarver. They want to make Tarver-Dawson; that's the main reason they had Tarver on there in the 1st place with Muriqui and Santiago!
I'm glad Joe isn't getting massive credit for his win over Hopkins. i thought he won but there's always too much back slapping when it comes to Calzaghe. The build up to Kessler, FFS, they didn't try to hype it as dangerous; it was just the Joe and Enzo show. More importantly, it puts the onus on him to choose a worthy opponent next time out, with some sources (mainly the BBC and the AP) having Joe a 1 point loser.
I'd rather see Tarver than Jones. And I'd rather see Pavlik get the assignment than Tarver.
In fact, I'd rather Joe stuck around and fought Jones, Pavlik, Tarver and someone like Johnson or Byrd. We can't just alow Joe to leave boxing, just as the meaningful fights are arriving, can we?
Last edited by Autobarn on 23 Apr 2008, 11:53, edited 1 time in total.
Tarver is definitely capable at long range.jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think Tarver would give Joe a hard fight.
He is capable of doing a lot of what Hopkins did off the back foot, although he is not as good on the inside, he also seems to carry more of a dig.
I think the fight should be made, but Calzaghe would sadly rather fight the ghost of Roy Jones.
But I think I recall Joe saying he didn't want to fight a southpaw as it leaves him without the advantage. Something like that.
If Joe is only having 1 more fight, I hope he chooses one that's actually meaningful. I say have 1 more in Wales (Tarver or Jones), and 1 more in America (Pavlik).
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DavidPayne
- Heavyweight
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Joe may get clipped early with long shots. But it's good to see Joe make those adjustments in there and then take over a fight. I think he takes over in the 2nd half and does a Harding.
Warren's hints that we'll probably go with Roy Jones after Joe's holiday but we haven't decided on anything yet, has started to get potential opponents crawling out of the woodwork and even making concessions i.e. in location, to the Welshman. Let's see whom else makes himself known.
Warren's hints that we'll probably go with Roy Jones after Joe's holiday but we haven't decided on anything yet, has started to get potential opponents crawling out of the woodwork and even making concessions i.e. in location, to the Welshman. Let's see whom else makes himself known.
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Grilling Machine
- Heavyweight
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would've been the great UK fight had Francis not been so unlucky vs Undra White.nickd wrote:You have got to be kidding. Why on earth would Calzaghe fight Francis? A few levels apart!Grilling Machine wrote:I'd take Calzaghe vs. Francis above everything.
But that would've been about 8 years ago.
Just think, Calzaghe-Reid and Woodhall were good fights but those 2 didn't have Francis' excellent schooling or power.
good idea.The_Don1 wrote:ideal scenario for Calzaghe:
Calzage vs. Jones - Calzaghe wins
Tarver vs. Dawon - Tarver wins unifying WBC & IBF crowns
Calzaghe vs. Tarver - Calzaghe wins, becoming a legitimate two weight champion and ends his career by beating 3 legends of the game in his last 3 fights.
But it seems Tarver wants to bypass Dawson to fight Calzaghe.
Just think, if Tarver beat Dawson, Tarver would eb a bastard to negotiate with. Tarve will say something like "I'm the true champion, I have 3 belts WBC, IBO, and IBF".
Right now Tarver may be willing to take the short end of the money.
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Syntax Error
- Heavyweight
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Grilling Machine
- Heavyweight
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Joe missed him first time around. They're both faded (and 175) now, so it's not as daft as you make it sound. Sure, Calzaghe wins, but he'd be shown a bit of quality boxing from Dean, who's perhaps struggling to find motivation at the minute.nickd wrote:Why on earth would Calzaghe fight Francis?
Francis or Froch will never happen, which is a shame because they're natural 'filler' fights prior to Jones in November. I'd like more British eliminators.
He's also wrong ability and conditioning wise. Francis would be at least as bad a choice o opponent as Peter Manfredo was!stujones wrote:Well Francis vs Joe is the easiest fight to make. Although style wise Joe is wrong for even a fully fit Francis.
Francis is a left handed authordox fighter - thats why he has done so well without the right... but to beat Joe you need the right.
At the moment I would agree, although Francis is adamant that his right does work, just doesn't need to use it. He does need to fight someone good enough so that he needs the right.Tykemania wrote:He's also wrong ability and conditioning wise. Francis would be at least as bad a choice o opponent as Peter Manfredo was!stujones wrote:Well Francis vs Joe is the easiest fight to make. Although style wise Joe is wrong for even a fully fit Francis.
Francis is a left handed authordox fighter - thats why he has done so well without the right... but to beat Joe you need the right.
If Francis' right is working, then its a good good match... one armed Francis, then its a one sided beating.
Francis vs Oakey should tell us something about the state of play for Dean.
Francis' ability is brilliant. He has to be damn good to still even be around after the injuries, operations, other shoulder treatments and the long layoffs. If that had happened to Joe in 1998, Joe would be lucky to be winning Commonwealth and British light heavyweight title fights. Joe probably wouldn't be, because he isn't as well schooled.Tykemania wrote:He's also wrong ability and conditioning wise. Francis would be at least as bad a choice o opponent as Peter Manfredo was!stujones wrote:Well Francis vs Joe is the easiest fight to make. Although style wise Joe is wrong for even a fully fit Francis.
Francis is a left handed authordox fighter - thats why he has done so well without the right... but to beat Joe you need the right.
I believe Francis was about equal to Joe in 1998. Years later Joe was still struggling with David Starie, a man that Francis had beaten down in a fine display of controlled aggression!
IMO Francis could've won that WBC belt - he was simply better than WBC holders Reid, Woodhall and Catley, and would have gone on a nice little run maybe culminating in a big fight with Joe. it wouldn't have been Eubank-Benn style publicity tucked away on Sky, but the quality of the fight may have been similar.
Used to see Dean working out and sparring at the Empire with the likes of Catley and I've always been a keen supporter and admirer of his skills. However...Autobarn wrote:Francis' ability is brilliant. He has to be damn good to still even be around after the injuries, operations, other shoulder treatments and the long layoffs. If that had happened to Joe in 1998, Joe would be lucky to be winning Commonwealth and British light heavyweight title fights. Joe probably wouldn't be, because he isn't as well schooled.Tykemania wrote:He's also wrong ability and conditioning wise. Francis would be at least as bad a choice o opponent as Peter Manfredo was!stujones wrote:Well Francis vs Joe is the easiest fight to make. Although style wise Joe is wrong for even a fully fit Francis.
Francis is a left handed authordox fighter - thats why he has done so well without the right... but to beat Joe you need the right.
I believe Francis was about equal to Joe in 1998. Years later Joe was still struggling with David Starie, a man that Francis had beaten down in a fine display of controlled aggression!
IMO Francis could've won that WBC belt - he was simply better than WBC holders Reid, Woodhall and Catley, and would have gone on a nice little run maybe culminating in a big fight with Joe. it wouldn't have been Eubank-Benn style publicity tucked away on Sky, but the quality of the fight may have been similar.
it's always easy for us to get involved in hypothetical scenarios and put a spin on them based on our liking of a particular fighter (or dislike in the case of some).
In simple terms I think it's pointless to talk about Dean and Joe in the same context - Joe has done it, Dean hasn't, that's the reality. Yes, Dean dealt with Starie impressively, but then Joe blew Dean away in the amateurs (first or second round from memory, though Dean was obviously young then, so that has to be taken into account), and Dean also had a right old struggle with Mark Baker, whom Joe would have dealt with in comfortable fashion.
Joe has been campaigning regularly at a level Dean's never even come close to approaching (albeit due to circumstances beyond his control), so you can't compare them. Yes, Dean's got a beautiful style, but that in itself isn't sufficient to be able to extrapolate from that that he could therefore operate at the same level - we all know fighters who make the step-up and are suddenly found wanting, whether that's from mental weaknesses (Judah springs to mind) or from physical weaknesses (think of all the big KO artists who suddenly weren't the same once they entered world class e.g. Randall Bailey).
The simple fact is we don't and will never know whether Dean could have been a legitimate Calzaghe threat, or whether he'd have been another Richard Williams i.e. someone who looked beautifully silky and smooth against a certain tier of opponent but then ran into a Sergio Martinez and found his level.
As for 98, Calzaghe had just overcome Chris Eubank (Oct 97) while Francis was involved in that life-and-death struggle with Baker - I find it hard to make a case for saying Dean was about equal to Joe at that point.
In summary, Dean in his prime was a beautifully fluid boxer who was a joy to watch, but has never been and never will be on Joe's level. Still wish he'd managed to avoid injuries/jail though
