I am no Calzaghe adorer, I think he's very talented, but I am not in denial about the fact he hasn't proven himself. However, I still do not see anyone else in the division to point at that I would say is better than Calzaghe.
Yes, his career has been a frustration, but aside from Ottke, who had the benefit of shonky hometown judging in MANY of his fights (there are lots of controversial decisions) who has done more than Calzaghe in recent times?
I want to see Calzaghe fight better opposition, I'm fed up with him fighting stiffs, but I still see him as the best out there, at least for now.
The fear for me with Calzaghe now is he apparently hates making 168 and has been eyeing a move up for some time, just as the division is getting interesting and a lot deeper talent-wise.
So, if he does move to LHW he'll be handing bragging rights to every SMW contender that he's running scared and give his public detractors even more ammo. If he stays at 168 he could run the risk of coming into a big fight drained and sluggish from killing himself to get down, lose the big fight and have his career filed under 'Exposed Brit'.
I suppose a lot hinges on what he achieves at 175 if he does go up. If he plans to win the wbo belt and sit on it for another 5 years he'll be labelled insignificant. If (big IF) he somehow gets a shot at Johnson (winnable) or even Tarver (not so much) and puts in a great performance, his rep will grow accordingly and that should put an end to 'Calzaghe running scared from Stieglitz' type comments.
The thing that most riles me about Calzaghe is this over inflated perception he has about himself as some sort of world beating, all conquering undisputed champion when in reality his last two fights have been treading water fights. He says there are no challenges for him at this weight when in truth there are lots more stiffer challenges than Kabary Salem. He doesn't even hold a major title.
I think it's a shame Anthony Mundine cannot take a punch because he could give Calzaghe trouble if he could take a decent shot, he is a good fast handed counterpuncher but alas his chin is poor and one good shot and he would be out of it. I hope he beats Siaca in the rematch and calls out Calzaghe, he was willing to travel to Germany to face Ottke and prove himself which he very nearly did and i think on last nights showing he would fancy Calzaghe.
Green, Larsen, Mundine etc have all showed they are willing to travel so they really need to start pressuring Calzaghe into fighting them.....Jeff Lacy would also be an interesting fight but i think he is going for the real world titles.
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Calzaghe looked dreadful, really poor. No defence, chin in the air, whaling away with wide slappy hooks, just asking to get knocked out.
If he tried that against someone like Lacy, he'd get knocked out.
Calzaghe is going backwards, he needs to get serious fast.
you also mentioned in this thread that Beyer was mentally weak but now is much better and would privide a challenge, shame you cant be consistent and apply the same reasoning to Danny williams...........
J wrote:you also mentioned in this thread that Beyer was mentally weak but now is much better and would privide a challenge, shame you cant be consistent and apply the same reasoning to Danny williams...........
one rule for one and one for another?
the difference between Beyer and Williams is that Beyer held the WBC belt though he had mental problems and now just feels better. Williams never hold a title and never will (except maybe the commonwealth belt).
J wrote:you also mentioned in this thread that Beyer was mentally weak but now is much better and would privide a challenge, shame you cant be consistent and apply the same reasoning to Danny williams...........
one rule for one and one for another?
the difference between Beyer and Williams is that Beyer held the WBC belt though he had mental problems and now just feels better. Williams never hold a title and never will (except maybe the commonwealth belt).
J wrote:you also mentioned in this thread that Beyer was mentally weak but now is much better and would privide a challenge, shame you cant be consistent and apply the same reasoning to Danny williams...........
one rule for one and one for another?
the difference between Beyer and Williams is that Beyer held the WBC belt though he had mental problems and now just feels better. Williams never hold a title and never will (except maybe the commonwealth belt).
I MAY WELL REMIND YOU OF THAT ON DEC 12TH.
after a year of surprises in boxing this would be the total hammer....
The thing that most riles me about Calzaghe is this over inflated perception he has about himself as some sort of world beating, all conquering undisputed champion when in reality his last two fights have been treading water fights. He says there are no challenges for him at this weight when in truth there are lots more stiffer challenges than Kabary Salem. He doesn't even hold a major title.
I think it's a shame Anthony Mundine cannot take a punch because he could give Calzaghe trouble if he could take a decent shot, he is a good fast handed counterpuncher but alas his chin is poor and one good shot and he would be out of it. I hope he beats Siaca in the rematch and calls out Calzaghe, he was willing to travel to Germany to face Ottke and prove himself which he very nearly did and i think on last nights showing he would fancy Calzaghe.
Green, Larsen, Mundine etc have all showed they are willing to travel so they really need to start pressuring Calzaghe into fighting them.....Jeff Lacy would also be an interesting fight but i think he is going for the real world titles.
Your right Steve.
Lacy wont waste time with low rent titles.
IMO opinion he beats Calzaghe anyway.
Joe's never conquered the world. Its too late now. He is a nearly man.
The thing that most riles me about Calzaghe is this over inflated perception he has about himself as some sort of world beating, all conquering undisputed champion when in reality his last two fights have been treading water fights. He says there are no challenges for him at this weight when in truth there are lots more stiffer challenges than Kabary Salem. He doesn't even hold a major title.
I think it's a shame Anthony Mundine cannot take a punch because he could give Calzaghe trouble if he could take a decent shot, he is a good fast handed counterpuncher but alas his chin is poor and one good shot and he would be out of it. I hope he beats Siaca in the rematch and calls out Calzaghe, he was willing to travel to Germany to face Ottke and prove himself which he very nearly did and i think on last nights showing he would fancy Calzaghe.
Green, Larsen, Mundine etc have all showed they are willing to travel so they really need to start pressuring Calzaghe into fighting them.....Jeff Lacy would also be an interesting fight but i think he is going for the real world titles.
Your right Steve.
Lacy wont waste time with low rent titles.
IMO opinion he beats Calzaghe anyway.
Joe's never conquered the world. Its too late now. He is a nearly man.
J wrote:HAHAHA I may ask you to change our location if it does happen!!
You and all Brits here would go nuts
AND RIGHTLY SO, YOU WOULDNT BEGRUDGE US THAT WOUDL YOU?
Williams TKO 9!
If Williams would KO Vitali I would congratulate him to a special effort in this sport. no doubt. this would be one of the biggest surprises in boxing in deed.
Not really. Vitali looked pretty ordinary against fat old man Sanders. It's hardly going to be one of the biggest upsets of all time, I reckon Vitali will be about 4-1 favourite going in there.
