In the eyes of some yes. I like Naz, Lennox Lewis, Bruno, Benn, Eubank & many others. Of the active fighters I like David Haye most but I also have respect for Colin Lynes & some of the smaller guys. I think you are focusing on my criticism of Hatton, Calzaghe & Khan & assuming I have a problem with all British fighters. If you look at the hype we have been forced to endure with these men & compare that to what they have actually achieved you will surely understand why I'm not always so forthcoming with the praise others are all too ready to heap on them.
I understand completely and Frank Warren is probably the root of all that is wrong in British boxing at the moment (and past 10 years). Of all our fighters, the only one that is truly world class is Calzaghe. I realise that his resume could undoubtedly be better but his talent speaks for itself, I think. Haye may well be up there too one day but he has to prove himself a bit more yet.
I think sometimes it's all too easy to lay the blame solely at old fish faces door. Someone with the talent of Calzaghe could have & should have walked away from Warren years ago.
I think Calzaghe is a complex character but essentially a home-boy with simple tastes and small ego. Hatton is brash, wide-boy cousin in comparison (with nowhere near the same talent). I know several people who know Calzaghe personally and they say that he is a normal Newbridge lad who happens to be a talented, world champion boxer. I've heard many times how down-to-earth he is and I believe it. I think that he has always believed whatever the shrewd Warren has told him (whatever that may be) and believed that his earnings are more than adequate. It's just a shame that the bright lights of Vegas got to him too damn late. If the Hatton-FMJ fight would have happened, say five years earlier, who knows what may have happened? Maybe he would have demanded that Warren should get him some of the action? Who knows? It's also a shame that the division (SMW) is not the most exciting around, or certainly hasn't been for the past decade. Maybe things are going to change with the current crop of MWs and SMWs on the scene? Like I said, Calzaghes resume isn't the greatest but to deny his talent and heart is madness.
I have never denied Calzaghe's talent & heart in the ring but he also used to sell himself as being a p4p contender so he should have been out their proving it. If what you say about him is true then he should have said he was happy being a home town boy because he often spoke about doing otherwise. I really do think Calzaghe is a very talented man with far more natural ability than Hopkins but sadly he didn't have the ambition to match his talent which is why he made all those of years of WBO defences in Britain.
As someone has said here recently, 'what if Calzaghe was born in the USA'??? I would have hate to lose the man but maybe he would have achieved much, much more? But, in his defence, the division was always regarded by the Americans as weak.....probably due to the lack of Americans fighting in the division. With regards to Warren, I am sure that Calzaghe doesn't have it in him to walk away from him. I don't mean that he enjoys the comfort zone that Warren creates but more to the point that Calzaghe wouldn't want to let down someone who has 'stood by him and supported him fully'. Also the thought of contractual disputes and court appearances would scare him shitless and get in the way of his boxing. He's a different animal to most boxers, that is undeniable. Hatton realised that there were big fights, and bigger money, available to him.....and why let Warren have his fingers in the purse? Joe without question likes money but will never earn anything near what Hatton will during his career. I suppose it's a question of loyalty, comfort, contentment and happiness. I hope Joe has no regrets when he packs it all in. And to be honest, I don't think he will. I can understand people thinking it's too late for Calzaghe to play catch-up but I think he has two or three interesting fights left in him yet. I hope he uses his throws wisely.
Well we've done Calzaghe to death. I know how I feel & I think he's largely wasted his talent & helped line fish faces pockets in the process. Anyway, back to Thaxton.....
Naz did it in a timeframe where Khan has to do it by July to beat him . Naz was 21 years and 7 months old when he beat Robinson and just 20 years old and 3 months old when he won the European title . Khan is 21 years and 4 months , so he's probably got to do it in his fight after this if it is to be achieved . Personally I think they should just ignore this bull**** and get on with his career .
It seems to me that in recent interviews Khan and Warren seem to have conceded that they will be unable to achieve the 'youngest champ' goal, and now talk of fighting for a title sometime 'this year'.
He should try to win the Lonsdale belt outright, and retire. That would be a fitting tribute to the hard working but ultimately short of class fighter he has been