Joe confident of summer clash with Johnson.

[stujones]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3530633.stm

Sounds like its going ahead, I'm shocked Joe won't be vacating his WBO Super Middleweight belt though.

[hitman_hatton1]

yeah thats a surprise maybe he's still holding out for a unification match at super middleweight.

[bennie]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3530633.stm

Sounds like its going ahead, I'm shocked Joe won't be vacating his WBO Super Middleweight belt though.

Christ! That says a lot for what a minor belt can do to a fighter's mindset, even a fighter as good as Calzaghe. He actually fears the thought of challenging for a proper title.

[KOJOE90]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3530633.stm

Sounds like its going ahead, I'm shocked Joe won't be vacating his WBO Super Middleweight belt though.

I really hope this fight does actually happen, it would be interesting to see how Joe copes at 175lbs and against a tough opponent like Johnson.

[adamiw]

whats wrong with keeping his WBO belt a little longer? He probably wont defend it again but you never know, a big fight at 168 may finally come as he leaves the division. Or he might not beat Johnson. It's just common sense really.

[knockout artist]

Joe is keeping his WBo belt because, deep down, he knows, as we all do , that there is a very real chance of Johnson beating him.

In my book Johnson is favourite.

[bigynzing]

Joe stops him down the stretch...Johnson fell apart in the last 4 rounds of both the Woods fights...Im thinking Joe is much better than Woods...remember Johnson hasnt always been a Lightheavy.

[bennie]

Calzaghe and his camp said in the build-up to the Mkrtchian knockover it would be his last fight at super-middle.
"A new weight would be a new challenge," said Joe. "I don't want my career to end without fighting the best. I've always dreamed of becoming Wales' first two-weight 'world' champion." Father and trainer Enzo said of his move to light-heavy: "The goals there are more exciting and you have to have motivation.
"Joe has outgrown super-middleweight and the prospects of becoming a double 'world' champion are very exciting."
And he hangs on to his belt! Talk's cheap.

[hitman_hatton1]

ouch some of this is harsh

boxings a funny old game johnson could very well beat him and will be a tough adversary i think. so it makes sense to keep hold of that super middle belt just in case it goes tits up.

however i think calzaghe should win it ok he's got too much for johnson.

[MightyWarrior]

I really can't see Johnson beating Calzaghe, so it's a surprise he's hanging onto his old belt.
The light heavyweight champ is a good fighter alright, but Joe is a level above. Too much speed and youth: Joe wins UD.

[adamiw]

Calzaghe and his camp said in the build-up to the Mkrtchian knockover it would be his last fight at super-middle.
"A new weight would be a new challenge," said Joe. "I don't want my career to end without fighting the best. I've always dreamed of becoming Wales' first two-weight 'world' champion." Father and trainer Enzo said of his move to light-heavy: "The goals there are more exciting and you have to have motivation.
"Joe has outgrown super-middleweight and the prospects of becoming a double 'world' champion are very exciting."
And he hangs on to his belt! Talk's cheap.

bennie, i dont think you understand. Calzaghe isn't intending to fight at the weight again, but he may as well keep hold of his title incase an opportunity comes about at 168.

[neil r]

glencoffe would be a hard opponent for joe and calzaghe will do well to get the victory, which i think he will. but this is hardly the career defining fight that joe craves and that his career so desperatley needs.

Mind you Warren knows Johnson is a willing traveller so no doubt Franky pockets another big payday in cardiff and Calzaghe still looks for the fight that will make him 'sateside', which Warren just cant get him.