BoxRec

Posted: **27 Mar 2008, 14:58**

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/car ... -20681101/

Anthem ban for Joe Calzaghe
Mar 27 2008 by Matthew Aplin and Blair Wood, South Wales Echo

BOXING fans have been banned from singing the Welsh national anthem ahead of Joe Calzaghe’s fight with Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas.

Boxing fights on both sides of the Atlantic are traditionally accompanied by rousing renditions of both competitors’ national anthems. But, in an unprecedented move, a contract has been put in place to stop any anthems during Calzaghe’s big-money American debut on April 19.

The decision has been made in order to avoid a repeat of the unsavoury scenes that accompanied Ricky Hatton’s fight with Floyd Mayweather last December. Sections of British fans were widely criticised for booing the American anthem, an act Calzaghe himself was quick to condemn.

And, while the Newbridge-trained superstar said he didn’t expect the Welsh fans to follow suit, he supported the idea of cancelling the anthems.

Bearing in mind the fight would have an American referee, Calzaghe said the risk of booing was one he was not prepared to take.

“I think the anthems have been knocked on the head just in case for this fight,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s right because you can’t go booing their national anthem, I think that’s wrong.

“We have an American referee so booing their anthem would be a bit like suicide really. I’m not saying the Welsh fans would do anything wrong but you have to be careful. I think it’s definitely the right decision. You can’t go booing anthems. Imagine if a few thousand Americans did that in Cardiff, it would all kick off.”

Welsh boxing fans weren’t as sympathetic as Calzaghe with some saying the anthem will get sung anyway.

Grahame Dewar, 27, a chef, of Caerau, Cardiff, said he was disgusted with the decision.

He said: “It’s a complete load of rubbish. He’s our Welsh champion and he’s fighting over there on Hopkins’ patch. It was the English that booed at Hatton’s fight, not the Welsh.”

Nick Revers, 25, a civil servant, of Cathays, Cardiff, said: “I think this is going to just rile up Welsh fans even more.”

Dave Roberts, 58, an advertising executive, of Llantwit Major, said: “Just because of half a dozen people who spoiled it last time, it doesn’t mean the self-respecting Welsh are going to do it this time. I’m sure we will hear a rendition of it anyway.”

Henry Blackman, 25, a marketing executive, of Llansannor, Cardiff, said: “It’s a shame that Ricky Hatton fans have ruined it for Calzaghe fans.”

Personally I've never been a fan of singing National Anthems before a bout so I'm actually pleased about it.

Posted: **27 Mar 2008, 15:01**

For fvcksake, its just a football (soccer, lol) thing.. Yanks should lighten up..

Posted: **27 Mar 2008, 15:18**

damn..yeah Americans loved the anthem so much not knowing how much shyt the Natives suffered!!

azz holes!

Posted: **27 Mar 2008, 15:49**

lol, who cares anyway, waste of time.

Posted: **27 Mar 2008, 16:03**

The Americans were seriously pissed at the booing, they take their nationality very serious and saw it as a slander on their nation, so I'm not surprised.

We all know it's just a football thing, but they didn't. Some of the people at the airport actually got aggressive with me when they heard I was English.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 02:08**

You guys make it sound like it was the Hopkins camp that nixed the anthems. It was Calzaghe himself. He didn't like it during the Hatton fight and didn't want to have to apologize for the Welsh if it happened again. Joe's trying to play himself as the good guy in this one and doesn't want his US fans turned off the night off the fight. Smart move IMO as the anthems are useless.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 04:49**

why do some big fights have the anthems and some don't?

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 08:12**

Yanks have a moronic obsession with their flag and anthem.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 08:20**

Terry D wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Yanks have a moronic obsession with their flag and anthem.
And shite soul singers bellowing it out.

Actually, England was like that several hundred years ago too. They're just a "newer" state.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 08:48**

Terry D wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Yanks have a moronic obsession with their flag and anthem.
And shite soul singers bellowing it out.

I agree with both comments.

That coont who was bellowing their anthem out before the Hatton fight deserved a good booing, the yanks should be thanking us for drowning the prick out, saving them from any further embarrassment

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 10:06**

If you listen to Hatton, the booing of the U.S. anthem counted against him vs Mayweather. I'm not sure it would have made much difference to the result in that fight personally, although Hatton believes it influenced the refereeing of Joe Cortez. In truth, I think he's clutching at straws, but Calzaghe's fight is likely to go the distance so it's quite cute of him to protect against the possibility of turning the judges against him before a punch has been thrown

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 10:19**

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Yanks have a moronic obsession with their flag and anthem.

Insecure.

It's the same as the man who always has to tell you how much money he earns or how great he is at something.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 10:35**

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Yanks have a moronic obsession with their flag and anthem.

Unfortunately some Brits have a moronic sense of decorum when it comes to basic manners and respect.

Smart decision not to play the anthems if there's any chance that the inevitable booing is likely to subconsciously influence the judges. It also spares JC the embarrassment of having to answer for a few mindless fans.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:00**

Personally I could not care less.

Anthems are shit.

God save the queen? - she is rich has the best of everything.

Replace the National Anthem with something by Bob Marley.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:01**

The American anthem was mutiliated in Wales at the Manfredo fight.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:19**

fist wrote:The American anthem was mutiliated in Wales at the Manfredo fight.

The English will probably get the blame for that one, along with all this 'oppression' rubbish they keep harping on about

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:30**

Are we to have Bread of Heaven then.....

A Welsh Male voice choir in miners helmets with the lights on leading Joe in would be my preference.

The travelling taffs would lift the roof off.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:35**

Chambers2 wrote:
fist wrote:The American anthem was mutiliated in Wales at the Manfredo fight.
The English will probably get the blame for that one, along with all this 'oppression' rubbish they keep harping on about

Well to be fair mate it was Welsh, Scottish and English booing! Saw and heard it myself. Booing of anthems doesnt bother me personally. I think those that take it so seriously are the ones that need to be questioned. Nationalism is a dangerous thing.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:37**

But the people booing the anthems are being even more Nationalist. Do away with it all, it's not Wales v USA it's Calzaghe v Hopkins

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:43**

Lenny wrote:But the people booing the anthems are being even more Nationalist. Do away with it all, it's not Wales v USA it's Calzaghe v Hopkins

Yeah somtimes perhaps. At the Calzaghe / Manfredo fight, it seemed to be a just a mix of nationalities showing their disrespect for America. Either way, ive got no problem with it! I think this will continue to happen for smetime now when British fighters face American fighters, the audience will not be able to resist themselves - its like when you get some character who shouts out during a mintues silence, well not as bad as that I suppose

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:44**

DavidPayne wrote:Are we to have Bread of Heaven then.....

A Welsh Male voice choir in miners helmets with the lights on leading Joe in would be my preference.

The travelling taffs would lift the roof off.

Yeah it sends a tingle down my spine thinking about it, the non-Welsh speaking contingent can belt that one at as well

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:47**

Lenny wrote:But the people booing the anthems are being even more Nationalist. Do away with it all, it's not Wales v USA it's Calzaghe v Hopkins

Exactly.

Those who boo are making more of a nationalistic/political statement IMO. It's not much to ask to observe the proceedings in respectful silence.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:49**

fist wrote:
Lenny wrote:But the people booing the anthems are being even more Nationalist. Do away with it all, it's not Wales v USA it's Calzaghe v Hopkins
Yeah somtimes perhaps. At the Calzaghe / Manfredo fight, it seemed to be a just a mix of nationalities showing their disrespect for America. Either way, ive got no problem with it! I think this will continue to happen for smetime now when British fighters face American fighters, the audience will not be able to resist themselves - its like when you get some character who shouts out during a mintues silence, well not as bad as that I suppose

I remember thinking 'I hope they don't play the national anthems, because I know what'll happen' 2 mins later some gobshite starts up "OOhhhh say can you see....." (don't know if they're the correct words and don't care), 2 minutes and 2 seconds after my original thought a cresendo of boos deafens Cardiff and Manfredo is twitching like a pissed off terrified gerbil, at the time I didn't find it overly funny becasue it was going out live in the US, but looking back on it and the look on Manfredos face

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 11:59**

the US national anthem is dedicated to all the men and women who died for the USA so you can imagine why they get upset about people booing while it is played.

this is why anthems should not be played at sports events IMO, it is just mixing sport with politics, 2 things which do not go together.

Posted: **28 Mar 2008, 12:34**

Does anyone remember the Lennox Lewis vs Lionel Butler fight in Sacramento and 'God Save the Queen' got a right shoeing off the natives.

The septics aren't so innocent in all this... not by a long chalk.

BoxRec

No Anthems for the Calzaghe fight ..........

No Anthems for the Calzaghe fight ..........