BoxRec

Got hold of a press release from Fred Sternberg, Calzaghe's US publicist. You'll all find it very interesting. Bottom paragraph is an abomination.

Warren made an offer to Kessler's ppl to come over for a unification, where Kessler would get German and Danish TV rights. Kessler, seeing as though he was risking his belts abroad, wanted parity on everything. Because Joe is the bigger draw, because he packed the Millennium, because Kessler has only been champ 3 years, Warren says Kessler doesn't want it.

I'm sorry joker boy, that's not good enough. Last night did more harm than good to boxing and O'Connor merely pulled the plug because 1 guy couldn't fight! It only serves to highlight that AT THE VERY LEAST, Frank should have made the effort to get a Woods or a Froch!

Macca's fight only highlights that he should've made a bigger effort to secure Macca vs Haye!

Look, Calzaghe needs Kessler like Hatton needed Tszyu. Especially after last night's farce, mismatch after mismatch with an inconclusive ending...Play the fvcking game. Make offers that can't be refused. Make boxing worth watching.




"AND STILL...!"
CALZAGHE WINS HIS LANDMARK 20TH
CONSECUTIVE TITLE DEFENSE BEFORE THE
BIGGEST-EVER INDOOR CROWD IN EUROPEAN HISTORY!
MIKKEL KESSLER TURNS DOWN allegedly'S
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PURSE FOR SUMMER UNIFICATION!


CARDIFF, WALES (April 7, 2007) -- He came, he saw, he conquered...AGAIN!

Boxing's current longest-reigning world champion JOE CALZAGHE successfully defended the super middleweight title he has held since 1997 for a landmark 20th consecutive time, the most of any British champion and tied for fourth on boxing's all-time list with Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins. Calzaghe (43-0, 32 KOs), from Newbridge Wales, made top-five contender Peter Manfredo, Jr. (26-4, 12 KOs), from Providence, RI, the latest victim of his undefeated professional career, when the referee stopped the fight at 1:30 of he third round when the brave Manfredo was unable to respond with even one punch against Calzaghe's barrage of leather-lined bombs.

Promoted by Sports Network, in association with The Tournament of Contenders, Calzaghe-Manfredo was broadcast live on HBO from Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, in front of over 35,000 spectators -- the largest crowd to ever attend an indoor event in Europe.

After the fight, Calzaghe expressed his desire to unify his WBO/The Ring magazine titles with WBC/WBA champion Mikkel Kessler (39-0, 29 KOs), from Copenhagen, Denmark, as his next fight this summer or travel to the U.S. to take on Jermain Taylor.

"I would love for him to come to the United States to fight Jermain Taylor," said Emanuel Steward, Taylor's trainer, during the HBO broadcast.

"I am the fastest super middleweight in the world," declared Calzaghe. "I am ready to come over to America. It has been a goal of mine to fight in the United States against a big name."

"Per Joe's desire to unify the belts, I had already offered Mikkel Kessler a multi-million dollar purse, including his keeping the German and Danish TV rights, for a summer title unification fight," stated Calzaghe's promoter allegedly. "However, Kessler's promoter countered with a demand for parity and a 50/50 split on everything. Now look around Millennium Stadium today. Joe has sold a European record amount of tickets and generated publicity worldwide by successfully defending his title a landmark 20 times during a reign that has lasted nearly 10 years. Kessler is barely two years into his title reign and has very little name recognition outside his own country. We think he is an outstanding fighter and it would be brilliant if he and Joe would face each other next, but when a counter offer like that is made, it tells me his promoter doesn't want the fight. I can't believe that counter offer came from Mikkel. Joe is going to attempt to tie Sven Ottke's record with his 21st title defense this summer. I hope cooler heads prevail and it's against Mikkel Kessler."

Kessler should get at least 50/50 to fight in Wales.. Especially after last nights disgrace of a stoppage.

If the fight were to happen in Wales then IMO Kessler should get more than 50% jut like if it was in Denmark then Calzaghe should get more than 50%.

Best alternative would be to fight in the US with each getting 50%

Definitely... Kessler has a big future in the sport having impressed America vs a proper opponent. You have to make it worth his while. He has a FUCKLOAD to lose -Kessler is no wandering nomad. He's going places.

Maybe Taylor would snap it up for £3 mil as it will help his 2008 retirement fund. Ironically Joe would get mor credit for beating the lesser Taylor.

Gary Shaw is already talking up Calzaghe vs Anthony Hanshaw, for Joe's US debut.

Smit wrote:Kessler should get at least 50/50 to fight in Wales.

i disagree that he should get 50%.

but i ain't really interested tbh.

i just wanna see the fornicating fight.

warren says he always delivers.

well now's the time mr warren.

Sad thing is, I reckon he'd dig deeper in his pockets for a lesser Yank (Taylor) or an old boring name.

Shit, is there any point to even talking about this?

I'm amazed to say Kesslers pricing himself out. Calazage is the established no1 in the division and thats why Kesslers been calling him out. Calazage is the 1 makign the bigger money and is the bigger draw.

Calazage is entitled to 60-70% - what does Kessler bring to the table? Not enoguh for 50-50, come back with your cap in hand Kessler.

Now Warren maybe telling some porkys but I have to agree with him Kessler isnt worth 50%

It's the old, established Warren/Calzaghe method of cudking challengers that won't go away -- make totally inadequate and insulting offers, and claim afterwards they ducked you.

Calzaghe and especially his manager -- with who Calzaghe stuck with in fidelity though for the past 10 years of a totally botched career-- are a disgrace to boxing. They have proven this over and over and over again, but there are enough idiots who still don't get it.

OK, Joe, have fun slapping around American middleweights and light-middleweights on HBO. If you believe, however, this will earn you any recognition with the more informed quarters, including in the US, you're dreadfully mistaken.

Insulting and inadequate? A multi million deal and holding the rights to Danish and German TV rights would be a career best purse for 95% of all active boxers in todays game.

Not to mention that if Kessler wins, it opens the door up to even bigger pay days that he otherwise wouldn't see without going through Calzaghe.

I too think that Kessler is pricing himself out of the fight.

Theres a chance Warren is lying but if Kessler wants 50-50 hes priced himself out.

Cannibal wrote:Insulting and inadequate? A multi million deal and holding the rights to Danish and German TV rights would be a career best purse for 95% of all active boxers in todays game.

Not to mention that if Kessler wins, it opens the door up to even bigger pay days that he otherwise wouldn't see without going through Calzaghe.

I too think that Kessler is pricing himself out of the fight.

You know how many Kessler fights have been televised in Germany? One against Markus Beyer. It´s like offering him the TV rights to Swasiland.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Theres a chance Warren is lying but if Kessler wants 50-50 hes priced himself out.

If Kessler is supposed to go to Wales and put two belts on the line against one then he deserves parity. End of story. Are we supposed to believe that Calzaghe would accept less than parity for a fight in Denmark, where Kessler can pack his own stadium. Oh I forgot Calzaghe is the HUGE star in the match-up, he just beat Peter Manfredo.

Cannibal wrote:Insulting and inadequate? A multi million deal and holding the rights to Danish and German TV rights would be a career best purse for 95% of all active boxers in todays game.

Not to mention that if Kessler wins, it opens the door up to even bigger pay days that he otherwise wouldn't see without going through Calzaghe.

I too think that Kessler is pricing himself out of the fight.

As I said, there are enough idiots who still don't get it.Which is quite something after 10 years of uninterrupted Warren/Calzaghe bullsh!t.

Pong wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Theres a chance Warren is lying but if Kessler wants 50-50 hes priced himself out.

If Kessler is supposed to go to Wales and put two belts on the line against one then he deserves parity. End of story. Are we supposed to believe that Calzaghe would accept less than parity for a fight in Denmark, where Kessler can pack his own stadium. Oh I forgot Calzaghe is the HUGE star in the match-up, he just beat Peter Manfredo.

Calazage is the draw and Calazage doesn't need Kessler. Calazage brings the fans, HBO TV, British TV and therefore brings far more to the event. Kessler would bring 2 belts, and thats why he'd get more than a Bika/Manfredo but it doesn't mean hes worth 50%. 40% at best

It could be Sports Network genuinely want Kessler and this is part of negotiations to get the best deal though. Kessler is a big fight and Taylors and Roy Jones are looking to square off and BHOPs and Winky are tied up too. What other options are there? Mora?

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:

Pong wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Theres a chance Warren is lying but if Kessler wants 50-50 hes priced himself out.

If Kessler is supposed to go to Wales and put two belts on the line against one then he deserves parity. End of story. Are we supposed to believe that Calzaghe would accept less than parity for a fight in Denmark, where Kessler can pack his own stadium. Oh I forgot Calzaghe is the HUGE star in the match-up, he just beat Peter Manfredo.

Calazage is the draw and Calazage doesn't need Kessler. Calazage brings the fans, HBO TV, British TV and therefore brings far more to the event. Kessler would bring 2 belts, and thats why he'd get more than a Bika/Manfredo but it doesn't mean hes worth 50%. 40% at best

If that's the case then Kessler would be advised to take a different route and steadily build himself as a marquee name in America where his fine boxing, solid punch and good looks can make him big.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:

Pong wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Theres a chance Warren is lying but if Kessler wants 50-50 hes priced himself out.

If Kessler is supposed to go to Wales and put two belts on the line against one then he deserves parity. End of story. Are we supposed to believe that Calzaghe would accept less than parity for a fight in Denmark, where Kessler can pack his own stadium. Oh I forgot Calzaghe is the HUGE star in the match-up, he just beat Peter Manfredo.

Calazage is the draw and Calazage doesn't need Kessler. Calazage brings the fans, HBO TV, British TV and therefore brings far more to the event. Kessler would bring 2 belts, and thats why he'd get more than a Bika/Manfredo but it doesn't mean hes worth 50%. 40% at best

Calzaghe Superstar. Dream on.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:It could be Sports Network genuinely want Kessler and this is part of negotiations to get the best deal though. Kessler is a big fight and Taylors and Roy Jones are looking to square off and BHOPs and Winky are tied up too. What other options are there? Mora?

It could be that Sports Network genuinely wants no part of Kessler because Calzaghe could lose this one, and that these insulting fake offers are part of Sports Network's established ducking methodology, which has made Calzaghe's career a laughing stock and a shame for the sport of boxing.

It could be? It is, mate. Open your eyes.

doesn;t matter about the % it matters about the money and Kesseler will make much more fighting someone who can fill a stadium than scratching around in germany.

However Calzaghe can't talk crap about wanting to win sports personality of the year and not go out of his way to prove himself which at least lewis did by unifying the titles.

Seems like SN offered Kessler more than Palle offered Calzaghe... so how is it 'unfair'?

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:

Pong wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Theres a chance Warren is lying but if Kessler wants 50-50 hes priced himself out.

If Kessler is supposed to go to Wales and put two belts on the line against one then he deserves parity. End of story. Are we supposed to believe that Calzaghe would accept less than parity for a fight in Denmark, where Kessler can pack his own stadium. Oh I forgot Calzaghe is the HUGE star in the match-up, he just beat Peter Manfredo.

Calazage is the draw and Calazage doesn't need Kessler. Calazage brings the fans, HBO TV, British TV and therefore brings far more to the event. Kessler would bring 2 belts, and thats why he'd get more than a Bika/Manfredo but it doesn't mean hes worth 50%. 40% at best

Last check, Kessler was on HBO dominating a tougher opponent than Manfredo mere weeks ago...Don't act like Kessler has never been seen on HBO, two of his four biggest and best wins were shown...so far, Joe has shit against Bika, and a laugher against Manfredo.

Taki... wrote:Seems like SN offered Kessler more than Palle offered Calzaghe... so how is it 'unfair'?

Can you substantiate this, please? How is Warren's alleged "offer" worth more than 3 million euro?

pundit wrote:

Taki... wrote:Seems like SN offered Kessler more than Palle offered Calzaghe... so how is it 'unfair'?

Can you substantiate this, please? How is Warren's alleged "offer" worth more than 3 million euro?

One assumes 100% of the German and Danish TV rights would eclipse 3 millions Euros. And that was only part of the offer made.

You guys are seriously overestimating the danish TV rights, if they get £200K they are lucky. And I dont think Kesslers last fight was shown in Germany at all.

Taki... wrote:

pundit wrote:

Taki... wrote:Seems like SN offered Kessler more than Palle offered Calzaghe... so how is it 'unfair'?

Can you substantiate this, please? How is Warren's alleged "offer" worth more than 3 million euro?

One assumes 100% of the German and Danish TV rights would eclipse 3 millions Euros. And that was only part of the offer made.

It was $95 american for the last Kessler fight...you really think it's going to land him a lot of cash? I searched about 6 sites to get an online RBR...and found 1 guy.