BoxRec

Calzaghe was poor, but I didn't score more than one or two rounds for Bika. It was a messy fight, but he won it comfortably.

I gave Bika: 6,9,10,11,12

It was hard to see Bika's shots amid all the clinching. But he did nail Calzaghe with a lot of right handers over the last third

EDIT.

Anyone know if the fight is being repeated on any of the ITV channels?

I missed it as I was at the party at the old Strangeways Brewery. I did pass one of the fighters as he was leaving the M.E.N. arena @ about 0030. He was sporting 2 shiners (I think it was Anthony Crolla). Anyone see his fight?

A bruising scrappy fight that I didn't really enjoy that much. Calzaghe started the fight a bit too confident and cocky for my liking and did far too much silly showboating (which he doesn't have the charisma for in my opinion) during the first few rounds.

Bika looked strong, determined awkward and raw , but lacked handspeed. However he did as others have, exploit the fact that Calzaghe can be open to right hands but Bika doesn't seem a big one shot hitter and Calzaghe has a solid chin so was never in any trouble.

Calzaghe I felt neglected his jab throughout the fight, should have stayed at long/mid range more and used his huge advantage in speed and combination punching to fire off quick shots then move before Bika had chance to get in close. But Calzaghe seemed unwilling or unable to do this for long periods of the fight. Or maybe Bike just didn't allow him? So hard to tell for sure at times from the outside of the ropes to be honest.

It was a dirty fight and Bika was at times a little free with the head. There was too much mauling and clinching, low blows etc etc. Joe won the fight in my opinion but the judges scores were a little too wide I feel as a lot of Calzaghes shots were just missing the target.

Joe made a bit of a mess of it, but at least it wasn't a disaster in terms of HBO. A win's a win, an a' that.

Max Molyneux wrote:Come on, the score wasn't that close.

I gave Bika 2 or 3 rounds at most, it was because he was dirty and strong that made it competitive.

Same here...fornicate knows what everyone who had it close was watching. Bika was rough and tough (especially with his head ), but he didn't do enough to make it close on the cards. Even his corner knew he was quite far behind going into the last round, that's why they were telling him he needed the ko.

The judges got it right.

Bollocks1984 wrote:

Max Molyneux wrote:Come on, the score wasn't that close.

I gave Bika 2 or 3 rounds at most, it was because he was dirty and strong that made it competitive.

Same here...smeg knows what everyone who had it close was watching. Bika was rough and tough (especially with his head ), but he didn't do enough to make it close on the cards. Even his corner knew he was quite far behind going into the last round, that's why they were telling him he needed the ko.

The judges got it right.

Yeah, I should watch fights sober, was pretty wide

search wrote:Calzaghe whinged his way through the fight and Mickey Vann was a joke. Was funny to see Warren panicking as Calzaghe was being beaten. The commentary was also a complete joke and it made me sick. Such biased commentary.

The end result is that Calzaghe struggled with Bika. He'll fight another bum instead of Kessler.

In my opinion, Kessler is the #1 168 pounder in the world, especially after last night.

I think most people agree that the ITV commentary team are a complete joke, absolutely hopeless.

Was a great fight to watch. Bika was always going to be a difficult fighter and he proved to be more so, very hard guy. But Calzaghe had too much for him. In one sense Joe fought the wrong fight in the openeing rounds, although he clearly dominated them intial rounds and won the points. Joe was so fired up for a tear-up was great to watch. I know people say he shouldnt show boat and stuff, but it makes great viewing! The adrenalyn was flowing and he was clearly fighting on anger at times. He is a warrior and refuses to back down to anyone, if someone hits him he is right in their face powering back. Joe boxed better in later rounds when he needed to i.e. after Bikas headbutt. Overall Joe was messy at times, but threw great combos as usual and easily dodged out of Bikas way, tho Bika started connecting more later on. Bika had little chance of winning the fight really, Joe just had too much quality. Overall, a great fight to watch, Bika was a hard and legit challenger who will give others trouble in the future.

Joe was pretty poor and his attempts at showboating were amazingly naff, but it was a good fight imo, entertaining and may well halp Joe get a big name fight if he's willing to take it... credit to Bika for making a fight of it... I'd like to see him in with Carl Froch... that would be interesting!...

Bika was a very awkard fighter, I think they thought he be easier than that.

Beyer speaks up after loss:

“Maybe the Danes want to fight again or Calzaghe is interested despite the loss,” Beyer vowed. “We will see.”

Can anyone sense a 'negotiations fell through with kessler/hopkins/taylor/joe broke his hand/back/face/we have a fear of flying'

to make way for

"former long standing WBC champion named as february Calzaghe opponent"

I honestly don't know why I am so cynical it is just a gut feeling.

There is virtually no chance that Calzaghe will fight Beyer, no chance. Joe and Warren have been explicit in who they want and the main two are Kessler and Hopkins. Lets hope he gets the former.

fist wrote:There is virtually no chance that Calzaghe will fight Beyer, no chance. Joe and Warren have been explicit in who they want and the main two are Kessler and Hopkins. Lets hope he gets the former.

They have been explicit that the want Hopkins and that they don't want Kessler.

After this devastating loss, Beyer may actually be quite high on their list of possible opponents.

Riddick Blowe wrote:Beyer speaks up after loss:

“Maybe the Danes want to fight again or Calzaghe is interested despite the loss,” Beyer vowed. “We will see.”

Can anyone sense a 'negotiations fell through with kessler/hopkins/taylor/joe broke his hand/back/face/we have a fear of flying'

to make way for

"former long standing WBC champion named as february Calzaghe opponent"

The odds are about 30-40 percent, I'd say.

40% Beyer
0.0001% Hopkins
0.00001% Kessler
????%????????
????%????????

Pemberton? Manfredo? Allan Green? JC Green? Kermit Cintron? kermit the frog?

fist wrote:There is virtually no chance that Calzaghe will fight Beyer, no chance. Joe and Warren have been explicit in who they want and the main two are Kessler and Hopkins. Lets hope he gets the former.

Yeah they want Hopkins, but Warren was explicit after the fight that Kessler is in the frame and that it would be a great unification.

Joe C is kinda hard to warm up to, unless you are from Wales, I guess. What a jerk. Who is harder to root for, a punk prima donna or a dirty fighter. I found myself opting for Bika, oddly enough.

No problem with the decision, but no reason for Joe to act like he has no class. Wait, maybe he wasn't acting?

Joe won it by 3 rnds imo but could have done a much better job - The showboating and getting rattled was not a good idear, could have lost him the fight and certainly lost him credibility - He needed to impress HBO and I dont think he did, never mind the comments made by Lewis afterwards - Thing is will Joe get the big money fights after this performance and the recognition he deserves - He is a great champion, I say our best but he didnt show his class as he could and should have.