Miranda favorite to meet Calzaghe?

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 16 May 2006, 08:17

Rumour of the day that is...only a few weeks to go so no hurry! Eubank rematch maybe? Miranda would make for a very exciting fight, before getting knocked out in style.

Sorry about the non Hatton thread!

Calzaghe opponent search goes on

Secondsout.com -By Ant Evans:

Less than eight weeks to go before Joe Calzaghe's huge 'homecoming' fight at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and the reigning IBF/WBO super-middleweight champion is still clueless as to the identify of the man he should be facing on July 7. A superb supporting cast - topped by the mouth-watering rematch between heavyweights Danny Williams and Matt Skelton - has been unveiled but Calzaghe continues to prepare for the big night without knowing who his co-star will be.

The announcement of Joe's foe has been repeatedly pushed back and several press conferences have been cancelled as prospective opponents have fallen by the wayside. At time of writing, unbeaten middleweight Edison Miranda, who recently KO'd Howard Eastman, is emerging as the favourite to stare down the super-middleweight kingpin on the big HBO/ITV televised card but the clock is a-ticking.

Warriors Boxing promoted Miranda is already inked in to face IBF champion Arthur Abraham in Germany in August but, with the greatest respect to the emerging force that is Abraham, a fight with Calzaghe would be a much bigger opportunity, providing the money is acceptable.

Both Calzaghe and the German power-puncher are heavy hitters but a win over pound-for-pounder Calzaghe would elevate Miranda much more than a win over the dangerous Abraham, who is as yet little known outside of Germany despite his potential.

According to reliable sources, HBO are also considering offering the fight to the winner of this Wednesday's all-Australian super-fight between former champions Anthony Mundine and Danny Green, however unlikely their acceptance of such a fight on seven weeks notice may be.

But it may be a case of Calzaghe having to face the last opponent standing, though, as credible opponents continue to slip through promoters Sports Network's net.

Peter Manfredo Junior of 'the Contender' reality TV series, was in the frame for several weeks but the company who created the TV show and handle his career demanded a purse of $1.5million - a completely unreasonable sum for a fighter who has lost two of his last three fights.

Then, the HBO approved Librado Andrade was said to have been turned down as an opponent by Calzaghe's father/trainer Enzo. Mexican born Andrade is coming off a breakout performance against southpaw Otis Grant, and perhaps Enzo felt that the largely unknown Andrada represented an unacceptable risk/reward scenario.

And most disappointing to hardcore fans will be the news that Mikkel Kessler - the highly rated unbeaten WBA champion - essentially back down from the fight by 'pricing himself out' of the triple crown unification match. This is tactic the Dane and his people employed last November to body swerve a title v title fight with then IBF king Jeff Lacy and it leaves one questioning whether Kessler's promoters, Team Palle, truly believe that their Viking is an elite fighter.

Untested American Allan Green's name was also linked with the July 7 date but HBO developed strong reservations about the Tulsa born 26 year old after viewing a tape of his messy win over Donnie McCrary from April.

Finally, William Joppy's name was also mentioned somewhere out there in cyberspace but HBO wouldn't accept the shot former middleweight in a billion years.

The phone calls continue but, hopefully, an announcement is imminent.

El Raincoat · Post by **El Raincoat** » 16 May 2006, 08:27

I 'd like that fight. Miranda has a good win against Eastman and is as tough as they come but i'd hope that Calzaghe's size & better skill would help him prevail.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 16 May 2006, 08:54

He should be fighting supermiddleweights not middleweights.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 16 May 2006, 08:59

Miranda beat a shot Eastman and that stoppage was early.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 16 May 2006, 09:26

Eastman was hurt in that fight, taking punches and not firing back. Stoppage was fine in my opinion.

Also I don't think Howard is fighting differently now to what he was five years ago.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 16 May 2006, 09:31

MightyWarrior wrote:
Sorry about the non Hatton thread!

it does take the piss a bit...
Why people cannot use one thread to discuss the fight i dont know...
I think they wont there name up in lights as a thread starter

Anyway.... didnt see Miranda V Eastman, but heard Miranda was hurt a few times..... so rest assured Calzaghe can do the same...
Miranda did looked ripped to shreads though so might be more comfortable at super middle

Deram · Post by **Deram** » 16 May 2006, 09:46

Miranda?

This has to be a joke!?!?!???

Ashira, Miranda... what is Joe thinking? No, honestly I don't believe those rumours. I know Joe has had a shitty run and has meet horrible opposition for long periods of time, but now the whole world has its eyes on him - and he would be crazy to go back to his old ways.

Yes, Green and Manfredo were pretty much jokes too at their present state as prospects, but at least they are supermiddleweights. If Joe wants a smaller man, then anything outside of Winky and Taylor would be plainly ridiculous.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 16 May 2006, 09:48

Calzaghe is going to whup Miranda, he's just the kind of fighter Calzaghe likes, no lateral movement, and not a great defence, who likes to come forward. Eastman isn't in the same league as Calzaghe, nor a similar fighter in any way. Eastman is a very good fighter, Calzaghe is a great fighter, certianly in terms of ability, if not always based on competition.

Cannibal · Post by **Cannibal** » 16 May 2006, 10:18

And people gave Fight Academy stick over the opponent mess. Sports Network are just as capable.

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 16 May 2006, 10:42

This has become a mess. Not all SN’s fault though with Kessler seeming not to want any of it & Manfredo in fantasy land - if this report is correct.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Allan Green comes back into the frame. They are running out of options.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 16 May 2006, 10:55

Thing is, think everyone wants a load of wedge to fight Calzaghe, because they know they are going to get whupped, don't reckon Kessler fancies the assignment much, not if he is asking for 1.5 million.

JimmyJamJerusalem · Post by **JimmyJamJerusalem** » 16 May 2006, 11:23

nickd wrote:He should be fighting supermiddleweights not middleweights.

That's the bottom line!!!

No need to discuss it further.

:x

:(

:x

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 16 May 2006, 12:32

Terence wrote:Point about this mess is that SN slated FA for not getting a leading fighter for Hatton and they are now serving Joe, ITV and us fans a pish match.

exactly.

sports network kept moaning about hatton's opponent and the time it took.

they need to look closer to home and sort calzaghe's opponent out.

least hatton had someone in place 7 weeks out from the fight.

WayoftheCass · Post by **WayoftheCass** » 16 May 2006, 12:48

So far I've heard of Calzaghe being matched with Peter Manfredo Jnr, Allen Green, Librado Andrade, Kelly Pavlick and now Edison Miranda.
Its all starting to sound a little monotonous. They obviously don't have a clue who to match him with. Personally i'd like to see him in with Glenn Johnson, Mikel Kessler or Clinto Woods. They actually have some experience and would inspire Calzaghe to find the next level like Lacy did.

yiddo14 · Post by **yiddo14** » 16 May 2006, 13:05

Is it just me,or does anybody else find it funny that Calzaghe is having a 'Homecoming' fight!!!

After giving away home advantage and venturing far,far away in his fight against Lacy,it's something he deserves!!!

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 16 May 2006, 14:55

Woods is fit having just trained for a big fight maybe they could get it on.. although that would be a sensible good quality match up popular with the fans and with a risk to boath fighters... sorry that was silly of me.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 16 May 2006, 14:56

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Thing is, think everyone wants a load of wedge to fight Calzaghe, because they know they are going to get whupped, don't reckon Kessler fancies the assignment much, not if he is asking for 1.5 million.

The Lacy fight scared them too much.

Deram · Post by **Deram** » 16 May 2006, 19:49

Max Molyneux wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Thing is, think everyone wants a load of wedge to fight Calzaghe, because they know they are going to get whupped, don't reckon Kessler fancies the assignment much, not if he is asking for 1.5 million.
The Lacy fight scared them too much.

BS - if anyone is running it is Calzaghe. Joe has never EVER given Kessler an offer. Joe has given offers to Ashira and recently again to Beyer and others.. NEVER to Kessler.. Wonder why. Kessler has at least TRIED to make the fight happen by kicking off negociations.. which warren rejects blankly without even wanting to negociate.

Kessler has offered to fight Beyer for FREE in Germany, so Kessler is known to be very fair. Why won't Joe negociate or even just give Kessler an offer?

Because he is dead scared that Kessler might take his crappy offer.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 17 May 2006, 00:36

josh fg wrote:Woods is fit having just trained for a big fight maybe they could get it on.. although that would be a sensible good quality match up popular with the fans and with a risk to boath fighters... sorry that was silly of me.

woods must get by glen johnson first or he has to give his title up. when he beats johnson, that would make it a much bigger fight. go on clinton!

ppl keep on bitching about Kessler, but it's Woods who'll give Calzaghe perhaps the most trouble. Woods is more layered that Kessler, is stronger inside, is bigger being a light heavyweight, and has a very dangerous right hand - and that is what troubles Calzaghe.

Achybreaky · Post by **Achybreaky** » 17 May 2006, 04:54

Deram wrote:
Max Molyneux wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Thing is, think everyone wants a load of wedge to fight Calzaghe, because they know they are going to get whupped, don't reckon Kessler fancies the assignment much, not if he is asking for 1.5 million.
The Lacy fight scared them too much.
BS - if anyone is running it is Calzaghe. Joe has never EVER given Kessler an offer. Joe has given offers to Ashira and recently again to Beyer and others.. NEVER to Kessler.. Wonder why. Kessler has at least TRIED to make the fight happen by kicking off negociations.. which warren rejects blankly without even wanting to negociate.

Kessler has offered to fight Beyer for FREE in Germany, so Kessler is known to be very fair. Why won't Joe negociate or even just give Kessler an offer?

Because he is dead scared that Kessler might take his crappy offer.

Do you have any evidence to back this up? and by evidence i mean were you there during the negotiations? were they printed in a legitimate newspaper article or interview? Please provide links!

This attitude would have held up pre lacy but now its just plain stupid!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 17 May 2006, 05:34

Deram wrote:
Max Molyneux wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Thing is, think everyone wants a load of wedge to fight Calzaghe, because they know they are going to get whupped, don't reckon Kessler fancies the assignment much, not if he is asking for 1.5 million.
The Lacy fight scared them too much.
BS - if anyone is running it is Calzaghe. Joe has never EVER given Kessler an offer. Joe has given offers to Ashira and recently again to Beyer and others.. NEVER to Kessler.. Wonder why. Kessler has at least TRIED to make the fight happen by kicking off negociations.. which warren rejects blankly without even wanting to negociate.

Kessler has offered to fight Beyer for FREE in Germany, so Kessler is known to be very fair. Why won't Joe negociate or even just give Kessler an offer?

Because he is dead scared that Kessler might take his crappy offer.

and who is this according to, Kessler's camp Team Palle?

states · Post by **states** » 17 May 2006, 17:10

Has anyone got any evidence with regards a Calzaghe-Kessler match? Anyone? All us Brits know Frank can be a little economical with the truth. Anyone got any true stories from the Kessler camp? Please?

Because I'm fornicating bored with this story now. Should Calzaghe fight Kessler? YES, without a doubt. But enough of all the bollocks from everyone. Sure, Calzaghe has wasted time in Wales, nobody doubts that. But does Kessler's reputation need to be built up so much? Calzaghe has wasted time in proving himself, Kessler hasn't quite managed it yet...

Just let the two of them fight, someone. Please. But remember that Kessler needs Calzaghe more than Joe needs Kessler.

Pantera · Post by **Pantera** » 17 May 2006, 18:50

Although Miranda is a large middleweight (usually fights around 175), he is much better off keeping his fight with Abraham than going up to fight Calzaghe. A win over Abraham puts him in a better position and would be MUCH easier than a win over Calzaghe.

Look for Miranda vs Abraham in August as scheduled. Calzaghe is gonna have to keep his search going...

Miranda favorite to meet Calzaghe?

Miranda favorite to meet Calzaghe?

Re: Miranda favorite to meet Calzaghe?