Calzaghe's Resume - The Truth

A lot of posts have appeared recently regarding Joe Calzaghe's infamous boxing resume, usually criticising it for its lack of high-quality opposition.
This post is solely to prove that Calzaghe is one of the most ducked fighters in boxing, has been very unlucky with injuries, and has fought the best opponents available. Contrary to belief.



Bernard Hopkins

"A teleconference was set up in my office in New York for July 30trh, 2002, and on the call was myself, Don King who was in the room, Frank Warren and Bernard Hopkins' lawyer, Arnold Joseph. Along with Arnold was a woman named Linda Carter, who was there on behalf of Bernard. We asked Arnold if Bernard wanted to fight Joe Calzaghe and we asked him how much money would he want if he did. The response we got was $3million and the fight would have to take place in the United States. After a little scratching of the head, we said 'Okay, done.' Frank Warren agreed on the spot, DOn King agreed and we agreed so as far as we were concerned all parties were singing off the one hymm sheet. Arnold excused himself with Linda and I can only assume it was to call Bernard. Either that day or the next day, they came with a new demand: $6million, dobule the sum that had been agreed, the deal blew up.....he had then and still has no desire to fight Joe Calzaghe, that much is pretty clear.

Joe gets criticised sometimes for not having fought the big-name Americans, but in this case the fault has never rested with him."

- Jay Larkin, then Showtime TV Network's Senior Vice-President of Sports and Event Programming.



Sven Ottke

"We made two career high offers to Ottke's camp to fight in Germany, even though we'd seen what had happened with (Robin) Reid and (Charles) Brewer. Both were refused without any negotiation. That told me all I needed to know." - Frank Warren



Roy Jones Jr

I dont have that quote from Roy that everyone chucks around. The one where Roy says there's too much risk in fighting Calzaghe because he isnt a big enough name in the states. It's safe to say that the fight was never on the cards, they were never in the same divison at the right time. Had Calzaghe broken through earlier maybe we would have seen this fight.



Thomas Tate

One of the more recognisable names on Roy Jones Jr's resume was scheduled to fight Calzaghe in 2004 but Tate pulled out 5days before hand with an injury forcing Joe to find a short-term replacement in Mger Mkrtchian.



Glen Johnson x2

Joe Calzaghe has had 2 scheduled fights with the Road Warrior, but has had to pull out from each with injuries. One with a wrist injury, the other with a back injury.
I've brought this up simply because not only is Glen Johnson a world class fighter and a very good name to have on Calzaghe's resume, but also because it was originally the second Glen Johnson fight that Joe pulled out of, that caused the infamous Sakio Bik fight. The fight that all Calzaghe haters talk about. Joe's hand healed up a month later at which time Glen Johnson was not available anymore. Joe was already trained so they found the highest ranked available contender, which was Sakio Bika. He didnt do it on purpose guys, he didnt purposely lose the momentum from the Lacy win to fight journeymen, **** happens.



Peter Manfredo Jr

Joe Calzaghe took this fight not to duck good opposition, but to improve his profile in the USA. Manfredo is well known over here in the UK, more well known in the USA. He decided that boosting his profile in the USA to get bigger fights out there in the future was better than defending his IBF belt in a forced mandatory against Rob Stieglitz (who?) which lets be honest would have been as easy as the Manfredo fight.



Lacy accuses him of ducking

"Joe Calzaghe is a disgrace. I dont believe this injury is legit. He never, ever wanted to fight Jeff Lacy. I suspected all along that Joe didnt want any of this. I never thought they'd fight us"

- Gary Shaw, 12 September 2005.





Regarding the 7 former world champions that Calzaghe faced. He tried to fight them when they had the titles. Robin Reid didnt want to know Calzaghe when he was WBC champion. As soon as he lost the belt, he clamoured Calzaghe because he had a title then and not him. If anything, fighting a former world champion who has just lost on points for instance, you dont get as big a payday, you dont get another belt. Everything to lose and not much to gain. So credit to Calzaghe. Regarding the people who he didnt fight, people like Eric Lucas and Many Siaca, so what ? Calzaghe would have annihalated nearly everyone at the time and fought better compeition IMO such as Brewer and Mitchell.

Had Calzaghe beaten these guys when they had the belts what would people be saying then ? "8 time world unified champion, won all 4 major belts, only person in division ever, Calzaghe top50 ATG"

Instead we get people criticising Calzaghe's resume without knowing all the facts, just because they dont see any massive names. Thats why I laugh when I see posts saying his resume is awful, I instantly know that the poster has no idea what they are talking about. Ok his resume isnt fantastic, but look if the injuries hadnt taken place a few decision went other ways things would be totally different.

Now he's fighting the best possible opponent in Kessler, when he could have gone for someone like Roy Jones now where he would have had just as much pay but a much easier fight and a bigger name on his record. Give him credit where credits due, look forward to his future fights.

 

Wow you didnt reply with your usual "IS THAT YOU BLOCKY ?" response.

It's a start I guess.

 

Ok dumbass.

Your obviously clueless if you think he has a crappy resume. Give me a list of people who he should have fought then, a list of people not included in my original post because I've already explained why he didnt fight them.

Looking forward to seeing this. Maybe you should title it "An exhibition in how to use BoxRec".

Oh and WHO THE HELL was getting 6million in 2002 ? We're not talking about Oscar or Lewis here.

Clueless shite.

 

Exactly.


I've just noticed this Paul Davis guy is the author of the Calzaghe worst resume ever thread. Not surprised.

How does it feel Paul to be COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY WRONG ?
Or are you gonna do a George Foreman and hold on to your analysis even past the point of total obscurity.

 

Whats the matter Paul ? Cant come up with anything good ?

I suggest you need Mark Twain's advice; "It is better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt."

Your the pathetic joke here.