Says he's thinking of retiring after 20 defences.
While he's been a very good fighter with admirable fitness, he has more to prove.
Maybe he's thinking of retiring because Taylor doesn't want the fight anymore.
Or maybe he's way too pleased with what he's achieved.
He should remember that he was in danger of becoming a joke before the Lacy fight.
Calzaghe ready to Retire After Manfredo Bout
Re: Calzaghe ready to Retire After Manfredo Bout
forget fighting taylor...mikael kessler is a much tougher matchup for calzaghe!!viciousmaussa wrote:Says he's thinking of retiring after 20 defences.
While he's been a very good fighter with admirable fitness, he has more to prove.
Maybe he's thinking of retiring because Taylor doesn't want the fight anymore.
Or maybe he's way too pleased with what he's achieved.
He should remember that he was in danger of becoming a joke before the Lacy fight.
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glittermonkey
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 2658
- Joined: 28 Feb 2004, 18:03
Re: Calzaghe ready to Retire After Manfredo Bout
absolutely. but why fight a champion, when you can fight a Contender (Manfredo)shoutout2u wrote:forget fighting taylor...mikael kessler is a much tougher matchup for calzaghe!!viciousmaussa wrote:Says he's thinking of retiring after 20 defences.
While he's been a very good fighter with admirable fitness, he has more to prove.
Maybe he's thinking of retiring because Taylor doesn't want the fight anymore.
Or maybe he's way too pleased with what he's achieved.
He should remember that he was in danger of becoming a joke before the Lacy fight.
always goes for the softest option
You mean on front page of boxrec? I can't find it.viciousmaussa wrote:check out google newslvlarc_uk wrote:Where did you read this to?
Only last week, Calzaghe said on live TV that he may retire within 12-16 months.
Just post the link mate.
Even with all his hand injuries, I don't think he will retire now for atleast another year, now that he has a few big paydays waiting for him since he tapped into HBO.
Got it, topic title bit misleading there don't you think?
Joe Calzaghe said yesterday that his 20th defence of the world super-middleweight title against Peter Manfredo in April could be his last fight in his home town and even hinted at plans to retire.
"This could possibly be my last fight in Cardiff," said the 34-year-old. "If I have a few successful fights in 2007 I will sit down and see where I am because I've achieved nearly everything I want to achieve in boxing. Only four or five in history have got to 20 defences so that is a massive goal for me."
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/stor ... 88,00.html
Joe Calzaghe said yesterday that his 20th defence of the world super-middleweight title against Peter Manfredo in April could be his last fight in his home town and even hinted at plans to retire.
"This could possibly be my last fight in Cardiff," said the 34-year-old. "If I have a few successful fights in 2007 I will sit down and see where I am because I've achieved nearly everything I want to achieve in boxing. Only four or five in history have got to 20 defences so that is a massive goal for me."
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/stor ... 88,00.html
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DavidPayne
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 6248
- Joined: 11 Mar 2004, 11:00
He's just trying a strategy of worrying opponents to the negotiating table, which in Hopkins case is probably as effective as taking out an ad in the Newbridge Bugle Lonely Hearts.
"Nice friendly belt holder with No SOH, seeks older man for long walks and playful wrestle. Age not important but experience preferred."
"Nice friendly belt holder with No SOH, seeks older man for long walks and playful wrestle. Age not important but experience preferred."
By Ant Evans: WBC/WBA super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler's promoter Morgen Palle has launched a scathing attack on WBO rival Joe Calzaghe even as the Welshman embarks on a press tour to hype his next fight.
Undefeated Dane Kessler rivals Calzaghe's claim to be the very best fighter in the 168lbs (12stone) division and Palle has wasted no time in rubbishing Calzaghe's April defense against 'the Contender' reality TV show runner-up Peter Manfredo Junior.
"It is another pathetic, bullshit fight for Joe Calzaghe and I can't understand how the press can stand for this all over again," spat the Danish promoter. "allegedly is talking about some record Calzaghe will be making with this fight with Peter Manfredo, some sort of a record of world title defenses. Record of what? Record for Calzaghe fighting more middleweight bums than any other super-middleweight champion in history?"
Calzaghe is widely considered to be the man in the division. Also undefeated, the southpaw has held his WBO title for over nine years - longer than Kessler has been a pro - and last March also destroyed IBF champ Jeff Lacy in a fantastic display of speed and skill.
The Lacy win silenced a great many of Calzaghe's critics and also - finally - opened American cable giant HBO's eyes to Calzaghe's pound-for-pound credentials.
Palle, though, believes Calzaghe's reputation is based on a padded record and a lone win over a grossly over-hyped American.
"Jeff Lacy is a bum," the elder statesman of European boxing said. "He's so slow, with no will and no skill. Last week even Vitali Tsypko beat Lacy - Lacy needed a hometown decision in Florida to get by with a bullshit points win. Tsypko was beaten easily by Jackson Chanet, who then lost two of his next four fights. Tsypko is not even a European championship level fighter, he can't break an egg but he nearly knocked Lacy out in that fight last week.
"That shows you what Calzaghe's win over Lacy is worth."
Perhaps.
But what, then, is Kessler's October KO 3 win over defending WBC champion Markus Beyer, who has also fought his share of sub-standard opposition and has needed the benifit of a hometown decision or two in his time?
Moreover, if Lacy was such a push-over, why didn't Kessler accept short money to face the American last November and scoop the glory Calzaghe is currently enjoying?
Palle said: "The difference between Calzaghe and Kessler is that Mikkel is willing to fight the best available opposition and, as a promoter, I have no fears of matching him with anyone in the world. I knew Beyer would be knocked out, yes, but I also knew that Lacy was too muscle bound and slow to win a round against Calzaghe or Kessler.
"And Mikkel has already proved himself willing to travel anywhere to defend his title by going to Australia to fight Anthony Mundine (June 2005). I don't think anyone can (reasonably state) it is Kessler who is afraid to fight away from home when Calzaghe and Warren demand every single possible advantage in every one of Calzaghe's fights.
"I can get Kessler, who is only 27 years old, to defend his title 25, 30 times if the WBA and WBC will sanction fights against middleweights or fighters coming off loses. I could easily build the same record that Calzaghe has for Mikkel.
"But neither Mikkel or I want that. We want to prove that Kessler is the No.1 in the division by fighting the best fighters out there."
Kessler has been ordered to fight hard-hitting, undefeated Mexican Librado Andrade next in a mandatory defense of his titles. Not surprisingly, Palle was keen to draw comparisons between Andrade and Manfredo.
He said: "Kessler is going to fight a No.1 ranked challenger who is undefeated and has proved himself by beating some good fighters like Otis Grant. It is a tough fight, another though opponent for Mikkel. Meanwhile, Calzaghe will be slaughtering a man from a stupid TV show, who lost on that show twice in five round fights. Five round fights! What kind of bullshit is that? Manfredo is not a real fighter and I don't understand how the press and the TV stand for this."
While many where disappointed when Manfredo was confirmed as Calzaghe's 20th WBO title challenger, the rationale is that "the Contender" series made Manfredo a huge star in the US (and the UK, for that matter) and the win will catapult Calzaghe into a late 2007 super-fight with Jermain Taylor or Winky Wright.
But Palle remained unimpressed: "Jermain Taylor looked very poor on Saturday. He backed off and backed off all night from a light middleweight (Kassim Ouma) who can't punch. I am sure allegedly would love Calzaghe to fight Taylor, another middleweight, or even Winky Wright, who is a light middleweight, even better.
"Real boxing fans know the only fight at super-middleweight is Mikkel against Calzaghe. But Calzaghe and Warren are afraid and it won't happen.
"Meanwhile, Mikkel will continue to fight (superior opposition to Calzaghe) and more and more press and public will see that he is the only real champion at super-middleweight."
Undefeated Dane Kessler rivals Calzaghe's claim to be the very best fighter in the 168lbs (12stone) division and Palle has wasted no time in rubbishing Calzaghe's April defense against 'the Contender' reality TV show runner-up Peter Manfredo Junior.
"It is another pathetic, bullshit fight for Joe Calzaghe and I can't understand how the press can stand for this all over again," spat the Danish promoter. "allegedly is talking about some record Calzaghe will be making with this fight with Peter Manfredo, some sort of a record of world title defenses. Record of what? Record for Calzaghe fighting more middleweight bums than any other super-middleweight champion in history?"
Calzaghe is widely considered to be the man in the division. Also undefeated, the southpaw has held his WBO title for over nine years - longer than Kessler has been a pro - and last March also destroyed IBF champ Jeff Lacy in a fantastic display of speed and skill.
The Lacy win silenced a great many of Calzaghe's critics and also - finally - opened American cable giant HBO's eyes to Calzaghe's pound-for-pound credentials.
Palle, though, believes Calzaghe's reputation is based on a padded record and a lone win over a grossly over-hyped American.
"Jeff Lacy is a bum," the elder statesman of European boxing said. "He's so slow, with no will and no skill. Last week even Vitali Tsypko beat Lacy - Lacy needed a hometown decision in Florida to get by with a bullshit points win. Tsypko was beaten easily by Jackson Chanet, who then lost two of his next four fights. Tsypko is not even a European championship level fighter, he can't break an egg but he nearly knocked Lacy out in that fight last week.
"That shows you what Calzaghe's win over Lacy is worth."
Perhaps.
But what, then, is Kessler's October KO 3 win over defending WBC champion Markus Beyer, who has also fought his share of sub-standard opposition and has needed the benifit of a hometown decision or two in his time?
Moreover, if Lacy was such a push-over, why didn't Kessler accept short money to face the American last November and scoop the glory Calzaghe is currently enjoying?
Palle said: "The difference between Calzaghe and Kessler is that Mikkel is willing to fight the best available opposition and, as a promoter, I have no fears of matching him with anyone in the world. I knew Beyer would be knocked out, yes, but I also knew that Lacy was too muscle bound and slow to win a round against Calzaghe or Kessler.
"And Mikkel has already proved himself willing to travel anywhere to defend his title by going to Australia to fight Anthony Mundine (June 2005). I don't think anyone can (reasonably state) it is Kessler who is afraid to fight away from home when Calzaghe and Warren demand every single possible advantage in every one of Calzaghe's fights.
"I can get Kessler, who is only 27 years old, to defend his title 25, 30 times if the WBA and WBC will sanction fights against middleweights or fighters coming off loses. I could easily build the same record that Calzaghe has for Mikkel.
"But neither Mikkel or I want that. We want to prove that Kessler is the No.1 in the division by fighting the best fighters out there."
Kessler has been ordered to fight hard-hitting, undefeated Mexican Librado Andrade next in a mandatory defense of his titles. Not surprisingly, Palle was keen to draw comparisons between Andrade and Manfredo.
He said: "Kessler is going to fight a No.1 ranked challenger who is undefeated and has proved himself by beating some good fighters like Otis Grant. It is a tough fight, another though opponent for Mikkel. Meanwhile, Calzaghe will be slaughtering a man from a stupid TV show, who lost on that show twice in five round fights. Five round fights! What kind of bullshit is that? Manfredo is not a real fighter and I don't understand how the press and the TV stand for this."
While many where disappointed when Manfredo was confirmed as Calzaghe's 20th WBO title challenger, the rationale is that "the Contender" series made Manfredo a huge star in the US (and the UK, for that matter) and the win will catapult Calzaghe into a late 2007 super-fight with Jermain Taylor or Winky Wright.
But Palle remained unimpressed: "Jermain Taylor looked very poor on Saturday. He backed off and backed off all night from a light middleweight (Kassim Ouma) who can't punch. I am sure allegedly would love Calzaghe to fight Taylor, another middleweight, or even Winky Wright, who is a light middleweight, even better.
"Real boxing fans know the only fight at super-middleweight is Mikkel against Calzaghe. But Calzaghe and Warren are afraid and it won't happen.
"Meanwhile, Mikkel will continue to fight (superior opposition to Calzaghe) and more and more press and public will see that he is the only real champion at super-middleweight."
the attempt to balance that article looks strained.
Kessler did in 3 years - adding a 2nd title - what Calzaghe took nine years. And Kessler didn't have to be begged to take the fight.
And Kessler wasn't to blame for the Lacy fight not happening. Kessler made a BALANCED offer - more money, conceding home advantage. Less money, to get home advantage. No wonder lacy's team turned it down, because a) a team meber had said lacy wouldn't be ready till 2007, and b) they thought Calzaghe was shot.
Kessler did in 3 years - adding a 2nd title - what Calzaghe took nine years. And Kessler didn't have to be begged to take the fight.
And Kessler wasn't to blame for the Lacy fight not happening. Kessler made a BALANCED offer - more money, conceding home advantage. Less money, to get home advantage. No wonder lacy's team turned it down, because a) a team meber had said lacy wouldn't be ready till 2007, and b) they thought Calzaghe was shot.
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DavidPayne
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 6248
- Joined: 11 Mar 2004, 11:00
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overhand_right
- Heavyweight
The fact that Calzaghe will fight Bika and Manfredo and completely ignore the risky Kessler challenge, not to mention he has never conceded hometown advantage, speaks volumes about him.
Its easy to like Kessler way more than Calzaghe. He is what Being Champion really is about.
Comparing this extended shitty paper reign to Joe Louis, christ almighty Joe must be spinning in his grave.
Its easy to like Kessler way more than Calzaghe. He is what Being Champion really is about.
Comparing this extended shitty paper reign to Joe Louis, christ almighty Joe must be spinning in his grave.
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yiddo14
- Heavyweight
As much as I admire his talent and ability,I gave up on Joe sometime ago.
I feel sorry for his fans,who he,and his management team,continously lead up the garden path....."just one more title defence,then up next it will be the super-mega-hyper-career defining fight that will seal Joe's legacy as the greatest fig...." blah,blah,blah.
It's bullshit.
I for one can honestly say,if Joe does retire after facing the MASSIVE name that is Manfredo,I won't be too dissapointed.
Kessler v Taylor late 2007 anyone???
I feel sorry for his fans,who he,and his management team,continously lead up the garden path....."just one more title defence,then up next it will be the super-mega-hyper-career defining fight that will seal Joe's legacy as the greatest fig...." blah,blah,blah.
It's bullshit.
I for one can honestly say,if Joe does retire after facing the MASSIVE name that is Manfredo,I won't be too dissapointed.
Kessler v Taylor late 2007 anyone???
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Max Molyneux
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 7084
- Joined: 16 Aug 2004, 16:53
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 45232
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
Well, If Calzaghe retires after this fight, then what a massive massive waste of talent, and opportunity.
Calzaghe though I am sure doesn't give one damn, he will spend his retirement in a state of self-satisfaction, complaining now and then about how he has not gotten the respect he deserves for an outstanding career.
Yes, remaining unbeaten for that long is impressive, as are title defences, but one major fight in an entire career, isn't the stuff of which legends are made sadly.
If he has no intention of fighting Kessler, well, as they say, shit, or get off the pot. Might as well call it a day if you aren't interested in doing anything more than racking up wins and pay packets.
What a shame that Joe never chose to ram home his momentum after beating Byron Mitchell in what was a thrilling display of grit, and aggression. Joe could have gone stateside and made a killing, but chose to sit back and take on soft defences for another 3 years and lost all momentum.
My suspicion however, is that this is to force Taylor and DiBella's hands into taking Joe on next, rather than looking for a rematch with Winky.
Calzaghe though I am sure doesn't give one damn, he will spend his retirement in a state of self-satisfaction, complaining now and then about how he has not gotten the respect he deserves for an outstanding career.
Yes, remaining unbeaten for that long is impressive, as are title defences, but one major fight in an entire career, isn't the stuff of which legends are made sadly.
If he has no intention of fighting Kessler, well, as they say, shit, or get off the pot. Might as well call it a day if you aren't interested in doing anything more than racking up wins and pay packets.
What a shame that Joe never chose to ram home his momentum after beating Byron Mitchell in what was a thrilling display of grit, and aggression. Joe could have gone stateside and made a killing, but chose to sit back and take on soft defences for another 3 years and lost all momentum.
My suspicion however, is that this is to force Taylor and DiBella's hands into taking Joe on next, rather than looking for a rematch with Winky.
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glittermonkey
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 2658
- Joined: 28 Feb 2004, 18:03
The sad thing is that the above instance isn't the only time he could have done as you suggest. He rested on his laurels in exactly the same way after the wins against Sheika, Brewer, and, more recently, Lacy.jamesmcdonnell wrote:What a shame that Joe never chose to ram home his momentum after beating Byron Mitchell in what was a thrilling display of grit, and aggression. Joe could have gone stateside and made a killing, but chose to sit back and take on soft defences for another 3 years and lost all momentum.