I know this is a pretty laboured topic and there are numerous threads on the subject but i enjoyed this article by Ant Evans on Secondsout.
By Ant Evans: Newly unified WBA/WBC super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler has told IBF/WBO counterpart Joe Calzaghe to stop 'calling' out retired champions like Bernard Hopkins and accept a real challenge.
Undefeated 27-year-old Kessler laid siege to Calzaghe's claim to being to very best 168lbs fighter in the world by knocking out WBC champ Markus Beyer in Demark Saturday night while Calzaghe struggled to subdue the raw Sakio Bika on the same night in England.
Now Kessler's promoter Mogens Palle, has issued the following statement, directed at the man he dubbed "Joke Calzaghe" and promoter allegedly.
Referring to a report that Warren offered £1.5million to Kessler to face Calzaghe, Palle claims: " I can tell you that it is one of the most blatant lies in boxing history when he says that he made an offer £1.5 million British pounds for Mikkel Kessler to fight his man, Calzaghe.
"I went to England to meet Warren months ago and I made him an offer. Warren listened and said he would make a counter offer. I waited and waited and heard nothing.
"There was no counter offer and no response of any kind from Warren. Instead, they ran to fight journeyman Sakio Bika.
"Now he an Joe are barking out the name of Bernard Hopkins. They both know that Kessler will beat Calzaghe and that he will beat him whether they might fight in the UK, in Denmark or in the United States. Why doesn´t HBO step up and demand the two unbeaten champions, both holding two belts, to fight for supremacy. Let there be no mistake about it: Kessler wants this fight!"
"Why would boxing media and fans the world over want to see anything other than these to fighters meeting directly?"
Kessler himself added: "I believe I am the best super-middleweight in the world. Joe disagrees with me, fine, but let´s settle it where it should be settled in the boxing ring.
"I don´t know why Joe continues to call out Roy Jones, Hopkins and these other guys. He should want what the fans want which is that he and I get it on. Joe knows in his heart he cannot beat me."
All this is part of the BS and bluster of modern boxing, of course. However, Kessler has earned the right to have his challenge answered by division leader Calzaghe.
One hopes Calzaghe's new bankrollers HBO have the sense and understanding of boxing to realise that Kessler - young and powerful - is best challenger for Calzaghe at 168lbs, not yesterday's news Hopkins and Jones, who would try to pickpocket a win over the Welshman in a boring fight.
Kessler is basically laying it out in no uncertain terms he wants the fight and so does Morgens Palle. They made an offer and heard no reply...big surprise. Kessler is the biggest fight out there and i am glad HBO are seeing this as well. I don't want to see a 42 year old career Middleweight in with Calzaghe or a shot Roy Jones, what a f*****g waste of everyones time. Calzaghe is to concerned with this "legacy building" bullshit and earning big bucks (fair enough) and is targetting relics. Kessler is a young, hungry double champion. Calzaghe V Kessler is the only realistic fight next for Joe.
Good Calzaghe-Kessler Article At Secondsout
Yes - leave the guys alone who have already BUILT their legacies. THat's a bit parasitic. EARN your own legacy by fighting the best in your own weight.
But I will say, Hopkins is so good at hypnotising his opponents, lulling them into his pace...It took him a long time, but he did it to Taylor in the late stages and it isn't pleasant fighting the 'Executioner' even at 41. Hopkins is no walk in the park. But no one is going to pay him $10m to fight Calzaghe, who was been on HBO B.A.D. once!
But I will say, Hopkins is so good at hypnotising his opponents, lulling them into his pace...It took him a long time, but he did it to Taylor in the late stages and it isn't pleasant fighting the 'Executioner' even at 41. Hopkins is no walk in the park. But no one is going to pay him $10m to fight Calzaghe, who was been on HBO B.A.D. once!