ITV talk up Calzaghe-Kessler

dumdane · Post by **dumdane** » 15 Oct 2006, 05:49

glahn wrote:People forget that Calzaghe actually looked worse against the likes of Salem before pulling off that performance against Lacy. He just needs the right type of opponent to bring out the best in him. It's no coincidence that his best showings have been against Eubank and Lacy, while he has often looked poor against lesser fighters. People who write him off against Kessler on the basis of last night are crazy, simple as that.

You are absolutely right that writing off Calzaghe's chances against Kessler based on one less than impressive performance is crazy.
I just think Writing off Kessler's chances against Calzaghe is equally crazy.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Oct 2006, 06:56

Joe has downplayed a Kessler fight.

Says he wants Hopkins, accoridng to fightnews.

mattyp151 · Post by **mattyp151** » 15 Oct 2006, 07:49

glahn wrote:People forget that Calzaghe actually looked worse against the likes of Salem before pulling off that performance against Lacy. He just needs the right type of opponent to bring out the best in him. It's no coincidence that his best showings have been against Eubank and Lacy, while he has often looked poor against lesser fighters. People who write him off against Kessler on the basis of last night are crazy, simple as that.

Eubank was on a slide and was far from the fighter he once was. Lacy's biggest assets are his power and chin, but when you don't land, 1 of them goes out the window. And those two assets were far and away his best.

glahn · Post by **glahn** » 15 Oct 2006, 08:54

Mattyp151 wrote:
glahn wrote:People forget that Calzaghe actually looked worse against the likes of Salem before pulling off that performance against Lacy. He just needs the right type of opponent to bring out the best in him. It's no coincidence that his best showings have been against Eubank and Lacy, while he has often looked poor against lesser fighters. People who write him off against Kessler on the basis of last night are crazy, simple as that.
Eubank was on a slide and was far from the fighter he once was. Lacy's biggest assets are his power and chin, but when you don't land, 1 of them goes out the window. And those two assets were far and away his best.

That's not the point. The point is that Joe has proven he can raise his game in the big fights. He was never going to look good against Bika, just like he was never going to look good against the likes of Salem, but he got the job done.

There's no doubt that Kessler would be a very tough fight, and there's a decent chance that Calzaghe could lose, but last night's performance is no indicator as to how that fight will go.

mattyp151 · Post by **mattyp151** » 15 Oct 2006, 10:08

glahn wrote:
Mattyp151 wrote:
glahn wrote:People forget that Calzaghe actually looked worse against the likes of Salem before pulling off that performance against Lacy. He just needs the right type of opponent to bring out the best in him. It's no coincidence that his best showings have been against Eubank and Lacy, while he has often looked poor against lesser fighters. People who write him off against Kessler on the basis of last night are crazy, simple as that.
Eubank was on a slide and was far from the fighter he once was. Lacy's biggest assets are his power and chin, but when you don't land, 1 of them goes out the window. And those two assets were far and away his best.

That's not the point. The point is that Joe has proven he can raise his game in the big fights. He was never going to look good against Bika, just like he was never going to look good against the likes of Salem, but he got the job done.

There's no doubt that Kessler would be a very tough fight, and there's a decent chance that Calzaghe could lose, but last night's performance is no indicator as to how that fight will go.

The only indicator in Joe's entire career we have to compare a fighter to Kessler would be Reid.

JCS · Post by **JCS** » 15 Oct 2006, 10:27

viciousmaussa wrote:Joe has downplayed a Kessler fight.

Says he wants Hopkins, accoridng to fightnews.

If Joe goes to 175 and fights Hopkins, he will get KO'd. He shouldn't even be talking 175.. hid body looks pathetic at 168.

Smit · Post by **Smit** » 15 Oct 2006, 10:35

I really doubt Hopkins would KO him.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Oct 2006, 11:08

JCS83MD wrote:
viciousmaussa wrote:Joe has downplayed a Kessler fight.

Says he wants Hopkins, accoridng to fightnews.
If Joe goes to 175 and fights Hopkins, he will get KO'd. He shouldn't even be talking 175.. hid body looks pathetic at 168.

let's not forget, Hopkins has had plenty of these fights, when he was around Calzaghe's age. EcholsI, Echols II, Allen I, Allen II, and so on. In some of those fights Hopkins was dominant with the nasty work, in others he looked very uncomfortable with his opponents' illegal work. In fact, this happened to Hopkins nearly ever fight from '98 to '00!

I think we're all being harsh on JC, myself included. Though he has to do himself a favour now, & GET AN ELITE OPPONENT

Calzaghe has shown he can use his skills to shut out opponents. Or at least win wide decisions. At both ends of the spectrum: Lacy, Ashira and somewhere between, Bika. He can use his speed and southpaw stance to control fights, even when injured or uncomfortable, so credit where it's due.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Oct 2006, 11:12

glahn wrote:
Mattyp151 wrote:
glahn wrote:People forget that Calzaghe actually looked worse against the likes of Salem before pulling off that performance against Lacy. He just needs the right type of opponent to bring out the best in him. It's no coincidence that his best showings have been against Eubank and Lacy, while he has often looked poor against lesser fighters. People who write him off against Kessler on the basis of last night are crazy, simple as that.
Eubank was on a slide and was far from the fighter he once was. Lacy's biggest assets are his power and chin, but when you don't land, 1 of them goes out the window. And those two assets were far and away his best.

That's not the point. The point is that Joe has proven he can raise his game in the big fights. He was never going to look good against Bika, just like he was never going to look good against the likes of Salem, but he got the job done.

There's no doubt that Kessler would be a very tough fight, and there's a decent chance that Calzaghe could lose, but last night's performance is no indicator as to how that fight will go.

I agree with all of that.

Kessler will be the greatest challenge of Calzaghe's career. I'm chuffed for Kessler, I liked him first time I saw him fight, knowing he was something special.

But just judging their showings vs Bika, Calzaghe is a level above Beyer. So that's another angle to look at Calzaghe-Kessler. Joe, even with bad hands and no sparring, has speed and variety.

I think vs a clean boxer like Kessler, JC won't be sloppy.

One thing is certain: calzaghe needs kessler.

bigynzing · Post by **bigynzing** » 15 Oct 2006, 11:14

Mattyp151 wrote:
glahn wrote:
Mattyp151 wrote: Eubank was on a slide and was far from the fighter he once was. Lacy's biggest assets are his power and chin, but when you don't land, 1 of them goes out the window. And those two assets were far and away his best.

That's not the point. The point is that Joe has proven he can raise his game in the big fights. He was never going to look good against Bika, just like he was never going to look good against the likes of Salem, but he got the job done.

There's no doubt that Kessler would be a very tough fight, and there's a decent chance that Calzaghe could lose, but last night's performance is no indicator as to how that fight will go.
The only indicator in Joe's entire career we have to compare a fighter to Kessler would be Reid.

And who compares to Calzaghe on Kesslers record...Thebola

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Oct 2006, 11:23

One thing, I believe that with his hand troubles, Calzaghe has developed his skills quite well. Maybe Bika was just too awkwrd & rough. This should prepare him for Kessler. When he sticks at it, he plays the nimble southpaw part very well.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 15 Oct 2006, 19:11

I think Joe will look better against Kessler.

Kessler is big but he uses skill more than size.

Deram · Post by **Deram** » 15 Oct 2006, 23:54

Max Molyneux wrote:I think Joe will look better against Kessler.

Kessler is big but he uses skill more than size.

Which is why he will win. People that use power over skill will easily loose to Calzaghe (Lacy etc.).

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 16 Oct 2006, 07:07

Just watched Beyer and Kessler on youtube.

Beyer wasn't doing too bad although he was losing. When he went to Kessler's body he barely missed a body shot, which says Kessler's open to the body.

Beyer stuck to Kessler's pace though and has Kessler even ever fought anyone with a pace Calzaghe can put out? Mundine's fast hands gave Mikkel a little trouble and Calzaghe's known for his fast hands.

The link to the fight here.

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=xmakavelix

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 16 Oct 2006, 07:09

Was funny though when they announced his name as simply the best Kessler like Eubank used to be called.

Average straights and Beyer didn't look that hurt.