Who would people rather Calzaghe fight

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 29 Aug 2006, 10:50

viciousmaussa wrote:I just read something interesting. Calzaghe said he'd prefer Johnson to beat Woods because a) it'd be an easier fight to make and b) it'd be an easier fight. says he prefers fighters who come to him.

This is exactly right. It's with fighters who stand in front of Calzaghe where he can maximize the impact of his blistering handspeed. See Lacy, see Mitchell. These were great performances, but then Lacy and Mitchell were taylor-made for Joe.

Which is why there will remain doubts about Calzaghe's versatility as long as he fights only bullies and avoids mobile, evasive fighters. The one classy slick counterpuncher he has faced - Robin Reid - gave him all sorts of troubles.

fist · Post by **fist** » 29 Aug 2006, 11:30

Joe's comments were foccussed on Johnson being a bigger name. He did not say that it would be an easier fight.

mattyp151 · Post by **mattyp151** » 29 Aug 2006, 11:39

fist wrote:Joe's comments were foccussed on Johnson being a bigger name. He did not say that it would be an easier fight.

Do you have a link to the interview, I couldn't find it anywhere.

Horse · Post by **Horse** » 29 Aug 2006, 12:13

Mattyp151 wrote:
fist wrote:Joe's comments were foccussed on Johnson being a bigger name. He did not say that it would be an easier fight.
Do you have a link to the interview, I couldn't find it anywhere.

http://www.allegedly.tv/drill/News/Ar ... hnson.html

I think this is the link.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 29 Aug 2006, 13:05

pundit wrote:
viciousmaussa wrote:I just read something interesting. Calzaghe said he'd prefer Johnson to beat Woods because a) it'd be an easier fight to make and b) it'd be an easier fight. says he prefers fighters who come to him.
This is exactly right. It's with fighters who stand in front of Calzaghe where he can maximize the impact of his blistering handspeed. See Lacy, see Mitchell. These were great performances, but then Lacy and Mitchell were taylor-made for Joe.

Which is why there will remain doubts about Calzaghe's versatility as long as he fights only bullies and avoids mobile, evasive fighters. The one classy slick counterpuncher he has faced - Robin Reid - gave him all sorts of troubles.

yeah, I think we know all we need to know about Calzaghe vs aggressive fighters. Johnson is subtly better than Brewer, Mitchell, Lacy. But I think he's too slow for Calzaghe & Glen would get tired in a fast paced fight.

Whereas the 'new Woods' would be a stern test. Clinton has been boxing beautifully in his last 3 fights. Also, Woods seems so physically strong on the inside.

pasty_spud · Post by **pasty_spud** » 29 Aug 2006, 14:40

this "new" woods is down to his diet apparently..

it's working well :)

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 29 Aug 2006, 14:48

fist wrote:Joe's comments were foccussed on Johnson being a bigger name. He did not say that it would be an easier fight.

sure he ddn't phrase it like i phrased it. but he did say he'd prefer to fight johnson, because he likes fighters to come to him. he's just said it in a euphemistic way

mattyp151 · Post by **mattyp151** » 29 Aug 2006, 14:54

fist wrote:Joe's comments were foccussed on Johnson being a bigger name. He did not say that it would be an easier fight.

"I think I would prefer to fight Johnson because I'd have less problems with him, I like fighting come-forward style fighters.

Sounds like he wants to fight Johnson because he is yet another guy who will not move and would be another easy win.

I also love the "terrorization of super middleweight"...it's hard to terrorize when you take not even a handful of tough fights. Woods or Johnson does nothing for him.

lvlarc · Post by **lvlarc** » 29 Aug 2006, 17:06

Mattyp151 wrote:
Sounds like he wants to fight Johnson because he is yet another guy who will not move and would be another easy win.

I also love the "terrorization of super middleweight"...it's hard to terrorize when you take not even a handful of tough fights. Woods or Johnson does nothing for him.

Quite rich coming from someone that licks PBF's ass. How is Glengoffe not a credible opp, he is a major guy at 175 that brings a world title, just last year if Woods beats Johnson then of course Woods would be more credible. Sure I'd like to see Calzaghe beat Kessler instead, but Johnson is still a good fight.

If Johnson/Woods does nothing for Calzaghe, how can you defend PBF for facing Gatti, Mitchell, Brusseles, Corley, Judah etc (after losing to Baldo!)
Because let's face it, you do.

Grilling Machine · Post by **Grilling Machine** » 29 Aug 2006, 17:19

Froch, Kessler or Taylor would do me.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 29 Aug 2006, 18:35

I want Joe to fight the frosties kid just for Pundit.

Axe · Post by **Axe** » 30 Aug 2006, 01:50

Quit with the generalizations guys. Lacy may have been a bit limited and one dimensional, and could/can only fight one way, but Ive seen Mitchell on his toes, sticking and moving, many a time. He was definitely not a limited slugger type.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 30 Aug 2006, 09:41

lvlarc_uk wrote:
Mattyp151 wrote:
Sounds like he wants to fight Johnson because he is yet another guy who will not move and would be another easy win.

I also love the "terrorization of super middleweight"...it's hard to terrorize when you take not even a handful of tough fights. Woods or Johnson does nothing for him.
Quite rich coming from someone that licks PBF's ass. How is Glengoffe not a credible opp, he is a major guy at 175 that brings a world title, just last year if Woods beats Johnson then of course Woods would be more credible. Sure I'd like to see Calzaghe beat Kessler instead, but Johnson is still a good fight.

If Johnson/Woods does nothing for Calzaghe, how can you defend PBF for facing Gatti, Mitchell, Brusseles, Corley, Judah etc (after losing to Baldo!)
Because let's face it, you do.

Johnson is OLLLLLLD (and style-wise again a near-perect fit for Calzaghe).

Calzaghe needs to fight Kessler; and then let's see what his options are after losing this one....

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 30 Aug 2006, 09:59

pundit wrote:
lvlarc_uk wrote:
Mattyp151 wrote:
Sounds like he wants to fight Johnson because he is yet another guy who will not move and would be another easy win.

I also love the "terrorization of super middleweight"...it's hard to terrorize when you take not even a handful of tough fights. Woods or Johnson does nothing for him.
Quite rich coming from someone that licks PBF's ass. How is Glengoffe not a credible opp, he is a major guy at 175 that brings a world title, just last year if Woods beats Johnson then of course Woods would be more credible. Sure I'd like to see Calzaghe beat Kessler instead, but Johnson is still a good fight.

If Johnson/Woods does nothing for Calzaghe, how can you defend PBF for facing Gatti, Mitchell, Brusseles, Corley, Judah etc (after losing to Baldo!)
Because let's face it, you do.
Johnson is OLLLLLLD (and style-wise again a near-perect fit for Calzaghe).

Calzaghe needs to fight Kessler; and then let's see what his options are after losing this one....

depends on the winner of Woods-Johnson 3 & Kessler-Beyer. Right now we cannot be sure who's going to win. I mean, what if Woods wins big against Johnson. & what if Kessler struggled to beat Beyer. That way it would be more appealing for Calzaghe-Woods.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:00

Calzaghe should fight the winner of Kessler v Beyer whatever it takes, why spend 9 years as champion at 168 and be 1 fight from cleaning out every title and then move up? That would be beyond stupid.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:03

nickd wrote:Calzaghe should fight the winner of Kessler v Beyer whatever it takes, why spend 9 years as champion at 168 and be 1 fight from cleaning out every title and then move up? That would be beyond stupid.

I agree. Calzaghe-Kessler first. The winner of this vs. Woods could be a good fight thereafter.

mattyp151 · Post by **mattyp151** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:12

lvlarc_uk wrote:
Mattyp151 wrote:
Sounds like he wants to fight Johnson because he is yet another guy who will not move and would be another easy win.

I also love the "terrorization of super middleweight"...it's hard to terrorize when you take not even a handful of tough fights. Woods or Johnson does nothing for him.
Quite rich coming from someone that licks PBF's ass. How is Glengoffe not a credible opp, he is a major guy at 175 that brings a world title, just last year if Woods beats Johnson then of course Woods would be more credible. Sure I'd like to see Calzaghe beat Kessler instead, but Johnson is still a good fight.

If Johnson/Woods does nothing for Calzaghe, how can you defend PBF for facing Gatti, Mitchell, Brusseles, Corley, Judah etc (after losing to Baldo!)
Because let's face it, you do.

A couple of those fights were eliminators, Judah was still one of the most viewed fights of the year.

As for Joe fighting Glenn, he's had at least two fights when Glen was a far better fighter. Now that Glenn is clearly on the slide, Joe can't stop talking about how much he wants the fight. That's my issue. When the fight would've been HUGE, Joe found a way to get out of it. Now that Glenn isn't Glenn anymore, Joe can't jump at the fight fast enough. It's not like Judah was on a slide, the guy had the same problems against Baldo that plagued him his entire career, but he has time to improve and change. Glenn is the guy he's always been, just not as good.

Not to mention, Johnson is a come forward, stand and deliver type fighter, the same type of fighter Joe has been beating for years. He knows he can win because he's fought this same fight 30 times in his career. Yes, Johnson would still bring a title at 175, but is 1/4th the title at 175 worth more than 100% of 168, especially after spending 100% of your career at 168?

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:32

I would rather Calzaghe face Carl Froch instead of Bika, although he has gone very quiet since the Calzaghe-Lacy fight, while waiting for the winner of Kessler-Beyer. Nickd has a great point when he says why move up when your one fight away from cleaning up the division.

fist · Post by **fist** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:46

Mattyp151 wrote:
lvlarc_uk wrote:
Mattyp151 wrote:
Sounds like he wants to fight Johnson because he is yet another guy who will not move and would be another easy win.

I also love the "terrorization of super middleweight"...it's hard to terrorize when you take not even a handful of tough fights. Woods or Johnson does nothing for him.
Quite rich coming from someone that licks PBF's ass. How is Glengoffe not a credible opp, he is a major guy at 175 that brings a world title, just last year if Woods beats Johnson then of course Woods would be more credible. Sure I'd like to see Calzaghe beat Kessler instead, but Johnson is still a good fight.

If Johnson/Woods does nothing for Calzaghe, how can you defend PBF for facing Gatti, Mitchell, Brusseles, Corley, Judah etc (after losing to Baldo!)
Because let's face it, you do.
A couple of those fights were eliminators, Judah was still one of the most viewed fights of the year.

As for Joe fighting Glenn, he's had at least two fights when Glen was a far better fighter. Now that Glenn is clearly on the slide, Joe can't stop talking about how much he wants the fight. That's my issue. When the fight would've been HUGE, Joe found a way to get out of it. Now that Glenn isn't Glenn anymore, Joe can't jump at the fight fast enough. It's not like Judah was on a slide, the guy had the same problems against Baldo that plagued him his entire career, but he has time to improve and change. Glenn is the guy he's always been, just not as good.

Not to mention, Johnson is a come forward, stand and deliver type fighter, the same type of fighter Joe has been beating for years. He knows he can win because he's fought this same fight 30 times in his career. Yes, Johnson would still bring a title at 175, but is 1/4th the title at 175 worth more than 100% of 168, especially after spending 100% of your career at 168?

Hmmm your posts always centre around some conspriacy. I think it is ludicrous to state that fighting Johnson or Woods would do nothing for his Joe. They are world class fighters, your argument is extremelly fragile.

dumdane · Post by **dumdane** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:48

nickd wrote:Calzaghe should fight the winner of Kessler v Beyer whatever it takes, why spend 9 years as champion at 168 and be 1 fight from cleaning out every title and then move up? That would be beyond stupid.

Never the less that (moving up without finishing the job at 168) is most likely gonna happen.

Calzaghe doesn't even bother to pretend to have any real interest in fighting Kessler.

fist · Post by **fist** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:52

Yep at the end of the day it would be god to see Joe fight Kessler, but I doubt it will ever happen - the majority of the viewing public have never heard of Kessler. Its up to him and his manager to promote himself more, to make him a bigger hame. Joe does not need Kessler, but Kessler certainly needs Joe.

mattyp151 · Post by **mattyp151** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:53

fist wrote:
Mattyp151 wrote:
lvlarc_uk wrote: Quite rich coming from someone that licks PBF's ass. How is Glengoffe not a credible opp, he is a major guy at 175 that brings a world title, just last year if Woods beats Johnson then of course Woods would be more credible. Sure I'd like to see Calzaghe beat Kessler instead, but Johnson is still a good fight.

If Johnson/Woods does nothing for Calzaghe, how can you defend PBF for facing Gatti, Mitchell, Brusseles, Corley, Judah etc (after losing to Baldo!)
Because let's face it, you do.
A couple of those fights were eliminators, Judah was still one of the most viewed fights of the year.

As for Joe fighting Glenn, he's had at least two fights when Glen was a far better fighter. Now that Glenn is clearly on the slide, Joe can't stop talking about how much he wants the fight. That's my issue. When the fight would've been HUGE, Joe found a way to get out of it. Now that Glenn isn't Glenn anymore, Joe can't jump at the fight fast enough. It's not like Judah was on a slide, the guy had the same problems against Baldo that plagued him his entire career, but he has time to improve and change. Glenn is the guy he's always been, just not as good.

Not to mention, Johnson is a come forward, stand and deliver type fighter, the same type of fighter Joe has been beating for years. He knows he can win because he's fought this same fight 30 times in his career. Yes, Johnson would still bring a title at 175, but is 1/4th the title at 175 worth more than 100% of 168, especially after spending 100% of your career at 168?
Hmmm your posts always centre around some conspriacy. I think it is ludicrous to state that fighting Johnson or Woods would do nothing for his Joe. They are world class fighters, your argument is extremelly fragile.

What are you talking about, a conspiracy? Get out of town. Woods would do something for Joe on a domestic level, but for a guy who had the American audience in his lap after the Lacy fight, he totally dropped the ball.

Woods and Johnson are very, very good fighters, but neither one beats Erdei, Adamek, Briggs, or Dawson at this point in their career.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 30 Aug 2006, 10:56

If Johnson can beat Woods again - a far better Woods - then he isn't on the slide. Glen is a bigger name now. Remember that when Glen won the IBF title he was not highly rgarded; when Calzaghe wanted to fight him it was summer of 2004 - Jones & Tarver overshadowed Johnson until Glen beat 'em both. Johnson IMO is more proven and more acknowledged now.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 30 Aug 2006, 11:01

fist wrote:Yep at the end of the day it would be god to see Joe fight Kessler, but I doubt it will ever happen - the majority of the viewing public have never heard of Kessler. Its up to him and his manager to promote himself more, to make him a bigger hame. Joe does not need Kessler, but Kessler certainly needs Joe.

With wins over Mundine and Beyer and the unification of the two major belts, Kessler will have achieved much more in 2 years as a beltholder 14 than Calzaghe has in 10.

Plus: Kessler still has some prime years ahead and can afford to take a break. Calzaghe needs to make the big fights now -- i.e., those that count for impartial and knowledgeable boxing fans. If all he'll ever have done is limited Lacy, second-rate Mitchell and perhaps old Johnson, his will career will quite rightly be considered a waste (except by a few nuthuggers).

Hence: Calzaghe needs Kessler, better yesterday than today; while Kessler does not need Calzaghe at this stage.

But Calzaghe is of course running ducking hiding from Kesser, as he has from any dagnerous opponent ever since his Robin Reid loss, and his nuthuggers are busy making up excuses....

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 30 Aug 2006, 11:03

Mattyp151 wrote:What are you talking about, a conspiracy? Get out of town. Woods would do something for Joe on a domestic level, but for a guy who had the American audience in his lap after the Lacy fight, he totally dropped the ball.

Woods and Johnson are very, very good fighters, but neither one beats Erdei, Adamek, Briggs, or Dawson at this point in their career.

Both easily beat Dawson. And both would have good chances agaist any of the other folks.

Besides, I consider Woods a very good opponent. But if Calzaghe fights Woods/Johnson before fighitng Kessler, it will always look as if he had run from the true challenge at 168 (which of course would be true as well).