Calzaghe defends belt

[BonnieBlue]

Calzaghe won his defense on Saturday night in England, but his performance, self-admittedly, was subpar. He blamed his lackluster performance, in part, to a less than healthy left hand. My impressions were that Calzaghe is very quick, but doesn't possess great power (maybe due to his hand injury.) I was disturbed by Calzaghe's showboating antics early in the fight. I had no idea he was such a clown. One of the reasons why I believe we pull for the white fighter is because they display a level of class and sportsmanship. Calzaghe's behavior was distasteful and unappealing. Maybe he models this behavior on his boxing heroes who happen to black. I don't know, but I was very disappointed.

 

[Bart]

I was disturbed by Calzaghe's showboating antics early in the fight. I had no idea he was such a clown. One of the reasons why I believe we pull for the white fighter is because they display a level of class and sportsmanship. Calzaghe's behavior was distasteful and unappealing. Maybe he models this behavior on his boxing heroes who happen to black. I don't know, but I was very disappointed.

I used to believe the same, but not anymore. The rules of the game have been changed. I loved Roy Rogersand the value system of America, but those days are long gone and the guys with the white hats are dead and forgotten. If Jeff hammed it up in a victory over a black opponent, more power to him. I would like to see whites treat each other with respect of course, but when dealing with blacks, we should dish it out in kind. Jeff also was the recipient of a few head butts, one of which opened a cut early in the fight. I've seen too many white boxers get taken out with the (intentional) unintentional head butt gimmick. Hooray and kudos to a great champion.

 

[Triad]

Calzaghe dominated early and then let up. Not clear whether this was due to the head butt or the hand injury as he claimed. Despite his admitted "subpar" performance he easily won a majority decision against a very tough opponent. As far as the showboating goes, I agree with Bart if you can back it up, let them have it.

When asked who he'd like to fight next, he replied: Bernard Hopkins.

 

[JD074]

It was certainly not a "work of art" a la Calzaghe/ Lacy; it was sloppy, he was lunging forward too much, too much holding, etc., but a win's a win. It is absolutely stunning that this man has not lost a fight in sixteen years!!!</font> Wow.

I'd love to see him fight Taylor or Wright. Hopkins would be cool, too, but I doubt he'll want to fight Calzaghe, especially given his weird obsession with fighting Maskaev. Kessler may be a dangerous fight for him; he's really focused on fighting an American, so he may not get up for a fight against Kessler. And there's the light-heavyweight option; Calzaghe/ Woods would be an easy sell in England, and then there's Tarver. Plenty of possibilities. Edited by: JD074

 

[aussieaussie]

Calzaghe is a great fighter. That being said, Kessler is a monster. Fast, extremely powerful, and a young 27. If Calzaghe fought him 3 or 4 years ago I would go with the Welshman. At this point in time however I see Kessler unifying the belts. Both these guys are warriors and I can't say who I want to win. I guess white domination of the heavier weight classes is so widespread these days that white champs are going to have to start fighting each other. If they fight may the best man win.(Whoever it may be).

 

[white is right]

Calzaghe is a great fighter. That being said, Kessler is a monster. Fast, extremely powerful, and a young 27. If Calzaghe fought him 3 or 4 years ago I would go with the Welshman. At this point in time however I see Kessler unifying the belts. Both these guys are warriors and I can't say who I want to win. I guess white domination of the heavier weight classes is so widespread these days that white champs are going to have to start fighting each other. If they fight may the best man win.(Whoever it may be).

Kessler is a hidden gem that is slowly being known by the average North American fan. Insiders have known about him for a while. I recall Sugar Ray Leonard touting him when he won the WBA belt. If he and Joe fight the fight will be a near pickem, but because of age I would bet Kessler. In my mind if he were an American he would be a pound for pounder.Edited by: white is right

 

[White Shogun]

In my mind if he were an American he would be a pound for pounder.

You mean if he was black?

 

[white is right]

Maybe, but just being exposed to the US press ie Ring magazine and HBO/Showtime. How overrated is the shot Fernando Vargas or the nearly as shot Shane Mosley? They both got two huge matches versus each other because of their star appeal from when they were good/great fighters.

 

[Hockaday]

Calzaghe's timing was way off. Still, he had the other guy resigned to his fate by the second half of the fight.

I have to say that I have seen some white showboats through the years. I remember Bobby Cyz doing a tasteless bugaloo over Willie Edwards after he'd knocked him out. Shawn O'Sullivan, the Canadian olympian turned pro, used to kiss his glove after flooring his opponent. At least till he stepped up and started kissing the canvas. And who can forget Vinnie Paz with and his bolo windups and stomping around like a Pazmanian Devil?

Funny how Calzaghe was The Awsome One after his brilliant Lacy fight. One fight later, the announcers are hemming and hawing and talking about how he still needs to prove himself.

That's boxing. You're only as good as your last fight.

Edited by: Hockaday

 

[Colonel Callan]

Sugar Ray Leonard has this to say about Calzaghe going against Hopkins: http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_ NAME=boxing/06/10/16/BOXING_Calzaghe.html