Calzaghe talks about quitting

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 07 Oct 2007, 18:19

bbc.co.uk wrote:Unbeaten Calzaghe drops quit hint

Joe Calzaghe may consider quitting if he loses his next fight
WBO world champion Joe Calzaghe admits he could retire early if Mikkel Kessler wins their super middleweight unification bout on 3 November.
The unbeaten Welshman previously said his glittering 43-fight career is just "two or three" bouts from the end.

But an "unthinkable" result against unbeaten WBA and WBC champ Kessler could make him finish sooner.

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost," he said. "My unbeaten record would go and that's important to me."

Calzaghe sees his opponent as "potentially" his toughest yet, but said he is confident of winning.

"I never think about losing," he added. "If you're a boxer that kind of thinking is unhealthy.

Mikkel Kessler will bring the best out of me whatever way we go at it

Joe Calzaghe

"But yes, I know it's a possibility. Of course it is. You never know in this sport, he could catch me with a lucky punch or whatever, he's a great fighter.

"Anyway, as good as Kessler is I don't really see myself losing."

Calzaghe, 35, who is seven years the Dane's senior, is bidding to level Sven Ottke's divisional record of 21 title defences.

But he admits he is unsure what kind of fight will pan out in the Millennium Stadium, but is certain his performance will be better than those he produced in his last two outings.

He added: "I don't reckon it'll be a scrap, he's more your typical European stand-up fighter - great boxing skills, straight lines, good punch - but I'm prepared for anything.

"He will bring the best out of me whatever way we go at it. I always fight better against better fighters."

You would have thought he'd want a rematch if he losed.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » 07 Oct 2007, 19:05

Calzaghe hasnt tasted defeat and some fighters cant take it (Naz). Calzaghe is that type of guy (a guy who couldnt stand a loss cause hes been winning so long amongst other reasons.)

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 07 Oct 2007, 19:31

I think the thing for him is he wants to beat Ottke's record and prove himselfe the best SMW of all time if he fails to do that its not like he can have another 21 fights and catch up.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 08 Oct 2007, 04:18

verballistic wrote:
josh fg wrote:I think the thing for him is he wants to beat Ottke's record and prove himselfe the best SMW of all time if he fails to do that its not like he can have another 21 fights and catch up.
even if joe loses in respectable fashion then he will STILL be #2 ahead of imposter ottke and behind kessler!! ottke never fought anyone as good as kessler, lacy or eubank!!

that fact is true, but I wouldn't quite call Ottke an imposter after edging prime versions of Brewer, Mitchell, Branco & Glen Coffee.

I think "edge" is the operative word. He's not great because he never beat anyone good in a commanding way, but because he beat 'em he's still good.

Strange to see Joe talk of losing.

Deram · Post by **Deram** » 08 Oct 2007, 05:09

verballistic wrote:
josh fg wrote:I think the thing for him is he wants to beat Ottke's record and prove himselfe the best SMW of all time if he fails to do that its not like he can have another 21 fights and catch up.
even if joe loses in respectable fashion then he will STILL be #2 ahead of imposter ottke and behind kessler!! ottke never fought anyone as good as kessler, lacy or eubank!!

True.

Although Ottke was a very very good champ. He would however have been remembered with more respect if A) his style was not so boring and b) he had not gotten a couple of gift decisions.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 08 Oct 2007, 09:10

I had £10 on robin Reid... fcuking livid about that decision.

The thing is record wise he can claim to be the best if he beats Kessela and if people point out he defended against utter derge which at times he did he can respond that he also fight Kessela, Lacy and Eubank, if he looses then he doesn't have the unbeaten title raign and people can say everyone he fought was over rated or over the hill.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 08 Oct 2007, 09:13

He's talked about retiring after three more fights and that's about right.

He's a realist, though very confident, and I still fancy him to finish his career unbeaten.

I hope he fights Hopkins next....after a UD over Kessler

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 11 Oct 2007, 09:23

bbc.co.uk wrote:WBA and WBC champion Mikkel Kessler says Joe Calzaghe is in for a surprise when they meet in Cardiff on 3 November.
Kessler is confident WBO champion Calzaghe's unbeaten 43-fight run will end in the super-middleweight unification bout.

"He is a great champion, but I'm going to beat him," he said.

"I'm going to be better than my last fight - 200% - and he's going to get a big surprise."

Kessler added: "I'm going to show everyone I'm a bigger champion than he is.

"I am almost at my best and at my peak. This time, I'm going to be better than ever.

"I've seen some of his fights and he's never fought a guy like me before, that's why he's going to be in trouble.

"I hit straight, I hit hard, I hit directly.

"He is a nice guy and a nice guy is a bad guy in my world."

glad to see he's talking tough! This is going to be an awsome fight.

fight fan 101 · Post by **fight fan 101** » 11 Oct 2007, 09:47

cant beleive joe is even talking bout if e looses, i know he is talking of hanging his gloves up after a few more fights but why talk of quiting on a defeat, IF e looses surely e should have a rematch and retire on a high. otherwise hell be remembered for that loss firstly rather than his inpressive 43 win career. and that would be a great shame.

Deram · Post by **Deram** » 12 Oct 2007, 11:59

LOL

This is blown out of proportions. Seems people havent read what he ACTUALLY said. He did not say that he thinks about losing and what he may do if.. no, he said the OPPOSITE!!! He said that h does not think about losing. He acknowledges that everything is possible here in life, but that he will surely win and that he will move to LHW possibly for a fight with Hopkins after Kessler.

Calzaghe was asked 'what if you loose?' - no matter what he answers the headline is "CALZAGHE TALKS ABOUT LOSING!!"... .Yeah, DUH.. because you asked him! So, no matter if he said, 'yeah, ill probably loose or he said 'loose, i will not lose i will win' - no matter which they could say 'but he said the word lose'..

So bad journalism, and even worse the spin someone gave it and even even worse that people seem to fall for it.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 13 Oct 2007, 10:49

Deram wrote:LOL

This is blown out of proportions. Seems people havent read what he ACTUALLY said. He did not say that he thinks about losing and what he may do if.. no, he said the OPPOSITE!!! He said that h does not think about losing. He acknowledges that everything is possible here in life, but that he will surely win and that he will move to LHW possibly for a fight with Hopkins after Kessler.

Calzaghe was asked 'what if you loose?' - no matter what he answers the headline is "CALZAGHE TALKS ABOUT LOSING!!"... .Yeah, DUH.. because you asked him! So, no matter if he said, 'yeah, ill probably loose or he said 'loose, i will not lose i will win' - no matter which they could say 'but he said the word lose'..

So bad journalism, and even worse the spin someone gave it and even even worse that people seem to fall for it.

You are absolutely right but newspapers do that all the time - Its no great secret Joe has a fear of losing but he also has enormous confidence in himself so he does believe he is going to win - For me it really is a 50/50 and I am pretty sure it will go all the way - I think Joe must try for a late stoppage to try to avoid the fight being decided by the judges, because I am pretty sure it will be close and could go either way - If Joe was to try for a KO too early and sustained a hand injury Kessler would take over but in rounds 11 or 12 I think Joe could make it through with an injured hand - Lets hope Joe finds an answer to whatever Kessler does.