Now that HBO's exclusive negotiating window to land a potential super middleweight summit between champions Joe Calzaghe (43-0, 32 KOs) and Mikkel Kessler (39-0, 29 KOs) has expired, rival Showtime is making a move on the fight.
Before Calzaghe jumped to HBO last fall, Calzaghe's American TV home was Showtime, which is interested in bringing the Welsh star back.
Showtime has offered Calzaghe a two-fight contract. If the deal is made, the first bout would come this fall with the Kessler fight coming in the first quarter of 2008. The primary reason Showtime would wait until next year for the Kessler bout is because the fight's price -- organizers want $5 million for it from a U.S. network -- does not fit into the network's remaining 2007 budget.
Showtime would like Calzaghe's interim bout to come against light heavyweight titlist Chad Dawson, who would drop down to 168 pounds. Dawson's promoter Gary Shaw told ESPN.com his side is willing to make the fight. Shaw is also talking to Showtime about Dawson in a light heavyweight defense against former champ Antonio Tarver on Sept. 29.
"Showtime made a very aggressive offer so we're confident there will at least be a fight for Joe [in 2007]," said Jay Larkin, the former Showtime boxing chief now serving as Calzaghe promoter allegedly's U.S. representative.
Larkin said although they are talking to Showtime, they also continue talking to HBO about Calzaghe-Kessler for the fall without an interim bout. Larkin said Calzaghe badly wants to fight Kessler and doesn't want to put the fight off until next year.
"Talks are going on amicably and we are waiting for their response," Larkin said of HBO.
HBO would like to make Calzaghe-Kessler in the fall, but the network and promoters are apart on money.
HBO could be waiting to see what happens with heavyweight titlist Wladimir Klitschko in his Saturday fight against Lamon Brewster before committing so much money to Calzaghe-Kessler. The network has Klitschko under contract and if he wins and fights again this year, it will be a drain on the budget. If Klitschko opts not to fight again in the fall, it could free up money to go toward Calzaghe-Kessler.
A great 2 fight deal for the Welshman and one that seems particularly un-characteristic. No WBO mandatories, no eternal wrangling. Just the future of the 175lb division followed by the best 168lb-er.
Even the most sceptical Calzaghe fans would be happy with that. But what are the chances of it coming off?
I don't know. Despite Joe's bad hands, Warren's usual "Let's wait and see" style of comment would be apt.
In effect, they have offered Joe the two hardest fights out there - which will undoubtedly be less money than what HBO can muster.
Joe is 35 and with bad hands. Maybe Dawson down at 168 is a good deal, but Dawson is young and peaking whereas Calzaghe isn't.
Reason I say wait and see - if Pavlik batters Taylor, what a good fight that would be for Calzaghe. Calzaghe vs Pavlik. Pavlik said if he wins the middle title he'll relinquish it straight away and move up to 168...Ball in Joe's court.
Best thing to do - and the likes of RJJ and PBF have been doing it - is taking paths that are suited to them. Not to other parties. Showtime CLEARLY have a hard on for Dawson and they do want the super middle titles in US hands...ie after Lacy's fall, see where their 168 ambition went (they threw away the chance to showcase Kessler FFS).
I'm not sure if Calzaghe would actually get to Kessler if he fought Dawson. Anyone who's seen him fight will understand what I'm saying. Dawson is absolutely massive, even at light heavyweight he dwarfed Adamek who has now moved up to cruiserweight and yet he's fast as lightning. He's also a southpaw which negates Calzaghe's advantage. The only thing about Dawson is he might be a bit fragile, but it's difficult to catch him with anything in the first place. I'd loved to see the fight as a fan, but if old Fwanky boy has watched a tape of Dawson there is no way he's gonna risk the Kessler fight by putting Calzaghe in with the American. Let Dawson kick Tarver's arse and then the winners of the two fights can take each other on.
at 168 there is a decent advantage. Dawson would surely weaken to come down. Joe has fast hands - hardly the stand-off, can't get my hands moving opponent tht Dawson thrives on...
Dawson effectively did at 175 what Calzaghe did at 168. He 'came out' by outclassing a powerful, rugged title holder. Only difference is Joe dropped Lacy winning each round while Dawson GOT dropped by Adamek and lost his way a little over the final 1/4 to win widely enough.
but really, to beat Dawson I think you have to be an orthodox guy with fast hands and a crushing right hand. The best bet is to knock him out. Despite Chad's brilliance I believe that Diaconu and Briggs have decent chances of doing this.
IMO Joe would prefer to go for Hopkins/Wright winner or Pavlik...after Kessler of course. Kessler and Pavlik both impress me a lot, but they like to do one thing at a time, properly, precisely, which is the kind of fighter that Joe likes to overwhelm with busy, fluid fighting.
I would have imagined Calzaghe would fight Kessler first to take care of business and then drag his frame up to Light Heavyweight where he claims he wanted to go ages ago anyway. Isn't it a shame we have to have Dawson draining himself down to SM (if indeed this is the case) before the match can be made to give Calzaghe an advantage, but i suppose that's Boxing business.
Even though Calzaghe-Dawson is appealing and i would readily take it i think there is serious unfinished business with Kessler to be dealt with first.
it seems the US networks don't effing get it. Calzaghe-Kessler is the fight. So HBO can't put it on this year probably and won't put up the money anyways. & Showtime foolishly want to make Calzaghe-Dawson first, a fight that makes way less sense.
Showtime have a pro Dawson agenda. It's a bit transparent, really. I very much doubt SN go along with this...All the negotiating between Warren and Palle - as if they're going to drop things for Dawson who has great ability, a world title and zero profile!
Sure it sounds like good fights all round but they really want a great American fighter not a great European one.
Autobarn wrote:it seems the US networks don't effing get it. Calzaghe-Kessler is the fight. So HBO can't put it on this year probably and won't put up the money anyways. & Showtime foolishly want to make Calzaghe-Dawson first, a fight that makes way less sense.
Showtime have a pro Dawson agenda. It's a bit transparent, really. I very much doubt SN go along with this...All the negotiating between Warren and Palle - as if they're going to drop things for Dawson who has great ability, a world title and zero profile!
Sure it sounds like good fights all round but they really want a great American fighter not a great European one.
This crap about budgets is nonsense as well. Why not divvy up some of the money from next years budget so that the best fight in the super middleweight division can take place?
Autobarn wrote:it seems the US networks don't effing get it. Calzaghe-Kessler is the fight. So HBO can't put it on this year probably and won't put up the money anyways. & Showtime foolishly want to make Calzaghe-Dawson first, a fight that makes way less sense.
Showtime have a pro Dawson agenda. It's a bit transparent, really. I very much doubt SN go along with this...All the negotiating between Warren and Palle - as if they're going to drop things for Dawson who has great ability, a world title and zero profile!
Sure it sounds like good fights all round but they really want a great American fighter not a great European one.
This crap about budgets is nonsense as well. Why not divvy up some of the money from next years budget so that the best fight in the super middleweight division can take place?
TV executives really are complete donuts.
the shocking thing is that HBO have got behind some really shit fights - last night's Brewster-Wlad 2, two shit PPVs coming up, Marquez-Barrios and Vargas-Mayorga among the steaming piles that have been approved...when something as good as Calzaghe-Kessler can be made.
Damn, HBO can keep up the Jermain Taylor facade (Ouma, Spinks) but can't help make Calzaghe's biggest bout. A guy who actually comes to fight. Why did they effing sign him in the 1st place?
Autobarn wrote:it seems the US networks don't effing get it. Calzaghe-Kessler is the fight. So HBO can't put it on this year probably and won't put up the money anyways. & Showtime foolishly want to make Calzaghe-Dawson first, a fight that makes way less sense.
Showtime have a pro Dawson agenda. It's a bit transparent, really. I very much doubt SN go along with this...All the negotiating between Warren and Palle - as if they're going to drop things for Dawson who has great ability, a world title and zero profile!
Sure it sounds like good fights all round but they really want a great American fighter not a great European one.
not surprising really!! the bulk of their subscriber base are americans, just like sky or one of the other european TV heavies, whose agenda would be more towards the stars from their countries!!
unless of course, no one, neither HBO nor Showtime, can afford Calzaghe-Kessler, because they have maxed their budgets and wasted money this year...sadly, promoters are agreed (seemingly) on early November.
