Calzaghe pulls out with flu

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Nov 2003, 12:26

If Weight was the issue then surely a title fight at lightheavy can be arranged so Calzaghe can fulfil sky's desires. He won't get stripped of his WBO belt. Look at Johnny Nelson last fight at Heavyweight, he's won the WBU belt.

I'm sure the great Matthew Barney would be interested in defending his crown. Or what about a WBU international championship.

Perhaps Calzaghe doesn't want to show his rival his struggles, but I don't know - he wouldn't want to miss the pay day aswell.

Perhaps it is the flu.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 20 Nov 2003, 12:48

I don't believe Calzaghe is as tight as the weight as others are prepared to believe. I certainly don't believe this has led him to withdraw from this fight. As Priff stated, he's pulled out 16 days in advance. Calzaghe's a disciplined fighter, he can't be that over the limit.

He's boxed a total of 2 rounds this year and has elected to wave his Christmas bonus against an unknown. I'm prepared to buy that he is genuinely under the weather. There's no way he'll fight Branco. He'll defend against Tiozzo and the winner goes in with Michalczewski.

Calzaghe's major fight, if you could call it that, will be against Jeff Lacy. I doubt we'll see him at light-heavyweight. The only makeable BIG fight for Calzaghe is against Antonio Tarver but that won't happen until Tarver gets his hands on some silverware. You're looking at least 12 months before this fight can happen.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Nov 2003, 13:02

Calzaghe isn't interested in staying at Super Mid, he only wants fighter who will take a tiny purse to fight him, or Sven Ottke, Ottke doesn't want any part of Calzaghe, so Calzaghe will take the easy option.

Branco will be glad of the payday Calzaghe represents, as he isn't exactly a major star now is he?

I predict that Calzaghe's time at light heavyweight will be brief, but just as uninteresting as his reign at Super Middleweight.

At light heavyweight there are some very big punchers indeed, and I don't see Calzaghe faring that well, as he is not a naturally physically powerful man, nor does he have 1 punch KO power.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Nov 2003, 13:04

Yeah, I agree with Lightsoot here. The times in which weight has looked an issue with Calzaghe's performance are also the same times in which his prepations haven't gone well do to injury (i.e. vs Starie and Reid). Now the weight making process may have been harder for these fights because he couldn't prepare properly.

Calzaghe is no doubt tight at the weight, but I don't think as tight as has been documented. When the preparations have gone well he doesn't look particularly gaunt and we never see him step to the scales more than once. However, I do think Calzaghe has reached a stage of his career where motivation is a key, perhaps he's not motivated for this opponent and hence could see he was struggling at the weight. It was reported in a tabloid paper earlier this month that he was pissed up and bought a pair of Kylie Minogue concert tickets for £8000 - although Calzaghe said that was his last proper night out.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 20 Nov 2003, 13:04

The fact is, Calzaghe has been a long-serving WBO champion. And the WBO title don't mean shit.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 20 Nov 2003, 13:46

stujones wrote: It was reported in a tabloid paper earlier this month that he was pissed up and bought a pair of Kylie Minogue concert tickets for £8000 - although Calzaghe said that was his last proper night out.

If JC had really put his heart and soul into his career and sought out the biggest fights he could be shagging Kylie, not blowing 8k on her concert tickets!!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Nov 2003, 13:50

Mrs Calzaghe is pretty impressive though.

The REAL McCoy · Post by **The REAL McCoy** » 20 Nov 2003, 13:51

bennie wrote:Next thing Tackie will be pulling out...

That's exactly what McCoy was thinking :)

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 20 Nov 2003, 14:03

stujones wrote:Mrs Calzaghe is pretty impressive though.

So is my missus but I'd find it hard to kick Kylie out of bed for dropping crumbs if you know what I mean.