My American friends: It is endearing, your excitement about SSM - Cotto.

I'm glad you understand that Kessler's got a real shot at taking the unified SMW title. If he wins will you give him full credit, as in: he beat Joe Calzaghe and not a shot Joe Calzaghe?

 

I do enjoy your recent unbiased predictions, you've been accurate.. sure most fights have been predictable, but you've made a good job.
Still, the question stands.. will you give Kessler full credit IF he beats Joe Calzaghe, perhaps even convincingly?
Like I said, if anyone goes down in this fight, he will go down swinging, aint nothing wrong with that.. may the best fighter win.
And yes, I agree that Bernard have overlooked Joe Calzaghe for the past few years.

 

Yes, undefeated fighters can show weaknesses, ie Taylor. I was talking about IF they hadn't shown any weaknesses, such as Calzaghe.

Mitchell had alot of power. An offensive fighter such as Calzaghe will get hit every once in a while - as you correctly say, he came back up, and that shows he has the chin and willpower to succeed with his style.

I can't defend Calzaghe for not going abroad more - but offers have been sent to Hopkins, Johnson and Taylors way - all for naught. Calzaghe has simply been in the category of too much risk - too little reward. Even the complete dismantlement of Lacy - still doesn't make anyone throw offers at him - except Kessler. If Taylor fights everyone, why didn't he take it? European promotors do not have the power to enforce big fights like the US do. Thats the name of the game till now - maybe it will change eventually.

I do think he has taken some fights he shouldn't have, and shouldn't have agreed with ie Manfredo nor Bika(unless it was a tune-up for something bigger). Saying all this - there is no doubt that his skills would spell trouble for all major key players in the game around his division.

Maybe Kessler will succeed more...

 

Im looking forward to this fight.... I think it will be great.

 

What can you see then? :hey (in kessler - calzaghe)

 

Darkness...

 

China_Hand_Joe,

First, I have to admit that that while I don't ALWAYS agree with your points, they always do conform to your own internal system of logic, and usually there is SOMETHING to be learned from reading your posts.

I understand where you're alleged anti-American boxer bias originates
(What with all of the posters on ESB who openly disparage fighters who come from distant shores, and who believe that, because the US is the commercial centre of boxing with the largest single fan-base, fighters from elsewhere MUST go there and prove themselves; otherwise they are bums, regardless of their records.)

For the record, six of my twelve favourite current boxers are American, and the six most naturally talented boxers of the past half century, IMO, were all American.

That said, I believe you write off Sugar Shane too hastily. Aside from the fact that ANYTHING can happen in a seemingly predictable fight (Lewis/Rahman, Tyson/Douglas...), this is almost a pick'em fight. The styles are sufficiently different to make things interesting , and I would lean ever so slightly towards Shane in this one.

Of course, you could be right and your prediction rate might stay at 100%.

I still lean significantly towards Calzaghe in that fixture, but again Joe could suddenly grow old. He is past prime.

BTW, did you read the little lyric I composed in honour of the fight FINALLY being made?

This content is protected

Whatever the outcomes of both these fights, I'm certain they will be worth watching. In conjunction with Pavlik/Taylor, Floyd/Ricky and oldtimers Roy/Tito, there are going to be quite a few good evenings in the next few months.

Finally, what would your pick be if this was Cotto/Delahoya?

 

I'm a China_hand_Joe fan.

 

:rofl:rofl - perfectly cryptic.