'I'd like to see Ricky Hatton retire - Joe Calzaghe'

[dondada]

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2010/id-see ... e-calzaghe

[whiskey]

I take what Calzaghe says with a pinch of salt. He likes to say what people want to hear.

I remember when he was a BBC piece called "Hatton adulation riles Calzaghe" or something.

He stuck the boot in on Ricky's Kostya win, declaring he was an "unbeaten champion for 10 years" and said people were going overboard over just one fight he'd had blah blah. Before then declaring that "I cant speak for Ricky - but allegedly is the best promoter in the world" when putting the boot in over their legal wrangle over the split.

[gobbles]

I take what Calzaghe says with a pinch of salt. He likes to say what people want to hear.

I remember when he was a BBC piece called "Hatton adulation riles Calzaghe" or something.

He stuck the boot in on Ricky's Kostya win, declaring he was an "unbeaten champion for 10 years" and said people were going overboard over just one fight he'd had blah blah. Before then declaring that "I cant speak for Ricky - but allegedly is the best promoter in the world" when putting the boot in over their legal wrangle over the split.

Calzaghe and Hatton get on very well. I know that for a fact. He did, after all, go to Vegas to cheer him on against Mayweather and Hatton buried his dispute with Warren to be ringside to cheer Calzaghe on for the Lacy fight.

Obviously, if you take vaguely remembered stories over a decade and spin them to make out he is slagging Hatton off, you could create a different impression.

And what do you expect Calzaghe to say about Warren when he was still promoted by him?

Calzaghe is allowed his opinion, what's your problem with that?

[whiskey]

I take what Calzaghe says with a pinch of salt. He likes to say what people want to hear.

I remember when he was a BBC piece called "Hatton adulation riles Calzaghe" or something.

He stuck the boot in on Ricky's Kostya win, declaring he was an "unbeaten champion for 10 years" and said people were going overboard over just one fight he'd had blah blah. Before then declaring that "I cant speak for Ricky - but allegedly is the best promoter in the world" when putting the boot in over their legal wrangle over the split.

Calzaghe and Hatton get on very well. I know that for a fact. He did, after all, go to Vegas to cheer him on against Mayweather and Hatton buried his dispute with Warren to be ringside to cheer Calzaghe on for the Lacy fight.

Obviously, if you take vaguely remembered stories over a decade and spin them to make out he is slagging Hatton off, you could create a different impression.

And what do you expect Calzaghe to say about Warren when he was still promoted by him?

Calzaghe is allowed his opinion, what's your problem with that?

Firstly it was late 2005.. so about 4+ years and not a decade Gobbles.

I have problems with people who talk shite mate, do i need to give you ten examples of his talking utter shite?

i can give you 5 interviews and examples on Royd Jones alone - from youtube videos of him in the setanta studio saying how he was looking to fight Kelly Pavlik and not a washed up Roy Jones after Hopkins. I could show you the NYC press video of him saying pretty much the same. I can also give the page number of his book declaring he would 'gain nothing to be the 3rd man to ko jones'.

If you want, i can give you an interview from 7 years ago, where he says "he knows his limitations - and would want the crown jewels to face a man of Jones Calibre." - when Jones was unbeaten and the WBC,WBA,IBF,WBO, IBO and NABF light-heavyweight champion in his prime.

Secondly it was no secret that Calzaghe was riding Hatton's publicity in Vegas and to get in Hopkins face. I know this and lots of others know this to for a fact.

Was he at Hatton's hardest fight? Ricky declared that the comeback fight against Lazcano was the toughest of his career.

Sorry but from where i was stood in Ricky's changing room and at ringside - i didn't spot him.

[whiskey]

I rest my case, here is the bitter article:-

"Ricky had a good win over Kostya Tszyu but he fought a guy who was at the tail-end of his career who had fought once in three years.

"Let's not go over the top - I've defended my title for eight years, let's see if Ricky is still champion in four years let alone eight."

Hatton is about to become embroiled in a legal battle with promoter allegedly over who holds the options to his future fights, with a prospective November 25 fight with Carlos Maussa looking increasingly unlikely.

Calzaghe has been with Warren since 1997 and appeared to express surprise at Hatton's decision to go it alone, insisting the promoter represents the best option for his world title future.

Calzaghe said: "Look at what Frank has done for the careers of Ricky and Naseem Hamed - you need a good promoter behind you like Frank and you can't do everything on your own.

"I can't comment on Ricky's situation but with regards to my own situation Frank is the best promoter in the world."

I'm a better fighter than Hatton - Joe Calzaghe article HERE

[tonyevs]

Theres no doubt that calzaghe was somewhat jealous of the adoration that hatton had/has ... Calzaghe was also the same early in his career about naz.

Yes it was cringe worthy ... but not half as cringe worthy as the constant calzaghe nonsense coming out of Frochy`s mouth for so long ....

[gobbles]

I rest my case, here is the bitter article:-

"Ricky had a good win over Kostya Tszyu but he fought a guy who was at the tail-end of his career who had fought once in three years.

"Let's not go over the top - I've defended my title for eight years, let's see if Ricky is still champion in four years let alone eight."

Hatton is about to become embroiled in a legal battle with promoter allegedly over who holds the options to his future fights, with a prospective November 25 fight with Carlos Maussa looking increasingly unlikely.

Calzaghe has been with Warren since 1997 and appeared to express surprise at Hatton's decision to go it alone, insisting the promoter represents the best option for his world title future.

Calzaghe said: "Look at what Frank has done for the careers of Ricky and Naseem Hamed - you need a good promoter behind you like Frank and you can't do everything on your own.

"I can't comment on Ricky's situation but with regards to my own situation Frank is the best promoter in the world."

I'm a better fighter than Hatton - Joe Calzaghe article HERE

How many times has Froch said Hennessy is such a great promoter? Is he still saying that? Will he be saying that in 12 months?

[whiskey]

How many times has Froch said Hennessy is such a great promoter? Is he still saying that? Will he be saying that in 12 months?

Is that it, that's your retort ?

Hows about answering the mud you slung at me, that i slung back ten-fold.

[gobbles]

How many times has Froch said Hennessy is such a great promoter? Is he still saying that? Will he be saying that in 12 months?

Is that it, that's your retort ?

Hows about answering the mud you slung at me, that i slung back ten-fold.

How many interviews had Calzaghe done over seven years - 300, 400?

You cherry pick stuff to try and build up some ridiculous case that Calzaghe is some terrible hypocrite based on, face it, the fact that you love Carl Froch and hate him.
So he stuck by Warren when he was with him? Big deal. I remember Johnny Nelson saying on TV that allegedly was the best promoter in the world at a time that he was refusing to promote Nelson.
His back was put out of joint when Hatton beat Tszyu. So what? It sparked him into pressing for bigger fights.

People change their opinions over time. And he clearly will be remembered as a better fighter than Hatton.

Why does that mean he cannot give a valid opinion over Hatton's comeback?

[whiskey]

How many times has Froch said Hennessy is such a great promoter? Is he still saying that? Will he be saying that in 12 months?

Is that it, that's your retort ?

Hows about answering the mud you slung at me, that i slung back ten-fold.

How many interviews had Calzaghe done over seven years - 300, 400?

You cherry pick stuff to try and build up some ridiculous case that Calzaghe is some terrible hypocrite based on, face it, the fact that you love Carl Froch and hate him.
So he stuck by Warren when he was with him? Big deal. I remember Johnny Nelson saying on TV that allegedly was the best promoter in the world at a time that he was refusing to promote Nelson.
His back was put out of joint when Hatton beat Tszyu. So what? It sparked him into pressing for bigger fights.

People change their opinions over time. And he clearly will be remembered as a better fighter than Hatton.

Why does that mean he cannot give a valid opinion over Hatton's comeback?

Well we'll agree to disagree.

But i'm not building any case whatsoever. I think you need to take a step back Gobbles and realise it's your idol that is saying the things that rankle you.. not me. I'm neither trying to win or lose an argument. Im stating that what he says is a sugar-coated response. We know what he really thinks.

Calzaghe (and you obviously) lord it over Hatton, when in reality without Hatton flying over to the States, Calzaghe would have never done it. Hatton was the trailblazer, going out there and fighting in Vegas. Being part of 24/7 and signing HBO deals and taking 30,000 over to support him.

Hatton will always be remembered as a better fighter than Calzaghe. He never shirked away from the biggest challenges out there, even if it meant conceding location, weight, gloves and everything.

If Ricky retired today we would say that Ricky's two defeats have come via the pound for pound no1 in their absolute peak-prime.

Then we can compare that to Joe's last two fights - senior tour pension fund battles, with no titles against two guys with a combined age of 83.

Hopkins lost two of his previous four fights. Jones lost three of his previous six fights (two by ko).

And both stretched him out in the first round. Hopkins arguably beat him and Jones took him the full 12 whilst Tarver, Johnson and Green have flattened before and since.

Calzaghe had no desire to fight anyone unless all the odds were stacked in his favour.

You mention Froch, but can you imagine him dropping out and making fights with Peter Manfredo 'because he is a name in America' ? or ducking Brian Magee just a couple of days before they fought, to then shoot off and say fight Damon Hague a guy he knocked out in a round?

Hatton, Froch, Haye....... Calzaghe, Khan.

[Deserter]

Hatton will always be remembered as a better fighter than Calzaghe. He never shirked away from the biggest challenges out there.

I for one regard Calzaghe as the better fighter. He wasted a lot of his prime due to his attitude but he's the better fighter.
As for Hatton, let's not forget Witter.

[Counter-puncher]

Hatton will always be remembered as a better fighter than Calzaghe. .

speak for yourself, like.

[whiskey]

Hatton will always be remembered as a better fighter than Calzaghe. .

speak for yourself, like.

I am

Let's here your opinion on it CP

[Datsue]

Hatton will always be remembered as a better fighter than Calzaghe. .

speak for yourself, like.

Calzaghe the far greater talent, without question, but when it comes to "Who would you rather watch?" or even "Who had the bigger nads?" or even "Who will you remember more fondly?" then it's Rickeeee for me, every time & I'm not even a particular fan of his. Hector Camacho was a better fighter than Greg Haugen, but I know who I'd prefer to watch.

Plus, some of Calzaghe's fans tend to be absolute utter knob-bars, & it cheers me to piss them off even a little tiny bit.

[Counter-puncher]

Datsue my friend I hesitate to tell you this, but I really enjoy watching Calzaghe. The kessler fight, which i've watched numerous times, has me just about simpering effeminately, whispering sweet nothings at the screen at the smallest feint or inept attempt at showboating.

out of interest, how many times have you rewatched the Urango fight? how was that for you?

gomez, my opinion is that while you can't argue that Hatton took on more challenges than Calzaghe, personally i am more inclined to rate a fighter on allround talent and ability, in which i think Calzaghe surpasses hatton. you'll note i use the phrase ' i think' rather than 'Calzaghe will always blah blah blah'

OT: i was kindof having this argument RE Sanchez and Finito Lopez yesterday. can't deny that SS fought better men but i tend to rate Lopez a little higher as I think he was allround more talented and better. he had a plan B and plan C as well as plan A, kindof thing.

[thepocketrocket]

OK, the concept doesn't seem too difficult!! If Joe had gone over to America(instead of being scared of flying) and got schooled by Toney, Roid Jones, Hopkins ect then we wouldn't be describing as 'more talented'

If Hatton had stuck in England fighting no-marks we would still be discussing today 'could Ricky have beaten Floyd and Manny?'

Why is this point not understood?

[Rocky Balboa]

Hatton & Calzaghe probably get on well. The press just try to put some banana skins down & see what results, if any, occurs!

[Datsue]

Datsue my friend I hesitate to tell you this, but I really enjoy watching Calzaghe. The kessler fight, which i've watched numerous times, has me just about simpering effeminately, whispering sweet nothings at the screen at the smallest feint or inept attempt at showboating.

out of interest, how many times have you rewatched the Urango fight? how was that for you?

No, I can appreciate Joe's boxing & I would never question he was the greater fighter. It's just normally the quality of the smegheads he was fighting that turn me right off & the man's (& his fanbase's) dogged insistence that he was fighting colossi of the prize ring rather than for instance, anyone Frankie could get to travel to Cardiff for a packet of M&M's & a week-old Beano. Also, he was a complete knob, as I've said. I can't stand "I'm a big man, me" wittering from insecure blokes.

& I'll gladly watch the Juan Urango fight again, where Fatboy beat a better fighter than Mger Mrkchtian, Charles "Shot" Brewer, Mitchell & Lacy put together, but only if you can sit through the David Starie & Sakio Bika fights back-to-back (if you want to see some mauling!).

[whiskey]

Ricky had his WBU trinket for a while..

Then he defeated Kostya for the IBF strap... then he took on the WBA holder for a unification in Maussa... then he stepped up at short notice and beat the WBA welter holder... then he stepped down and beat the new unbeaten IBF holder Urango.. then took on Castillo for IBO / wbc int title... then stepped up to fight unbeaten Mayweather for the welter WBC title.. then won and defended the IBO against Lazcano, Malignaggi and Pacquiao.

Not a bad run of titles / fights. Everyone he fought was top 5 in the division and all over Vegas, Boston etc.

Calzaghe won a vacant WBO on a Naz undercard against Eubank... then defended against Branco Sobot and a host of other non-names for almost a decade before finally bringing in IBF champion Lacy. Then they brought in Kessler who had the WBC and WBA's... then vacated and moved up for two senior fights for non-titles at long last in America.

I bet if you add up the rankings of the fighters fought by both men, there will be a huge difference. Hatton continually beat the best in his weight class and stepped up to fight belt holders above.

Unfortunately Joe had years of duds and 'semi-names' at the tail end of their careers. Even Wazza said he's wait until they'd had a few defeats and get them in for pennies. Wazza's ethos was "to give his fighters a career, not too many hard fights and money in the bank. To retire with all their faculties." - you can also interpret that as 'market a skilled fighter as a legend, bring in bums to make them look a million dollars, pack out the arena's, make lots of money'.

Thing is, one left and is now extremely rich and had provided some extremely memorable occasions and build-ups.. and the other is not half as rich, but has money in the bank and has been sussed by many, thus this 'legacy' is under heavy scrutiny.

[boxerbob]

gomez

well said , that was the perfect piece written on teh difference between hatton and calzaghe

said it for years....1 wanted to be the best and fight the best......the other was happy to sit on his title for years fighting bums and old men

[martin_g91]

I'm sure that Calzaghe and Hatton do get on.

I think that Hatton should retire. He will either fight a C class opponent and everyone will see the victory for what it really is or he'll fight a B+ opponent and struggle, look terrible or get beat.

Hatton was never in Calzaghe's class but he always gave good value. Call it a day and enjoy retirement.