Managed to get hold of the US version of the Calzaghe vs Manfredo fight. The post fight interview was priceless, Larry Merchant was well and truly on form.
Remember the Adam Smith/allegedly spat a few years ago. I think it was when Hatton fought Carlos Vilches and Warren got his goat up when Smith suggested that Hatton might look at other avenues and got Warren to promise Vivian Harris or Paul Sparaforda next and basically made Adam Smith poo his pants.
Well, Larry Merchant had the right idea. Larry was grilling Calzaghe about Kessler "why haven't you mentioned Kessler, why is it Hopkins and/or Taylor". Calzaghe said, well of course I would like to fight Kessler but that is down to my promoter.
Then Warren putted in and started with "I have spoken to Morgens Palle".
Merchant with the most brilliant body language just pulled the mic away from Warren and said "and here is allegedly, promoter of Joe Calzaghe, who has been claiming that the promoter of Kessler is not negotiating" and then wrapped it up with "over to you, Jim".
It was absolutely classic stuff, one of the funniest interviews I have seen in a long time. You could see Frank was seething and yes, I did think Larry Merchant was rude the way he didn't let Frank get a word in (as it was so clear that Team Calzaghe wanted to make it clear that they are the good guys). I'm sure Larry used his age to his advantage there - had that been Adam Smith, I'm sure Frank would have pulled the mic back and made sure he got his say... but it would have looked bad Frank doing that to old frail Larry, he was absolutely seething....
I don't want this to be (another) thread slagging off Frank, but I'm sure Boxingchat will even agree that it made entertaining television.... even if team Calzaghe didn't find it entertaining at the time.
Larry did show he is a little senile at the end when he called it "the golden age of British boxing" in his final thought.
Nice one Larry though, glad to see you will be back on HBO.