Thanks for the comments guys!!! Some interesting replies.
Firstly, the common theme is that Frank Warren is holding back his best boxers. This is the consensus over here in the UK as well, and Hatton in paticular, if Warren fails to get these guys the big fights, then these boxers will part from Frank Warren, but I am not even sure there is another promoter in the UK who can deliver the big box office fights apart from Warren.
Firstly, let me just say my comments about Calzaghe are a little personal, so that is why they may appear a little biased. I know Joe well, and my mother knows him even better, as she ran a business right next to Calzaghe's gym where he trained since he was fourteen. I also know Enzo, who is Calzaghe's Dad and trainer.
Your comments about him being a bit stale are spot on. However, not all blame can be laid on Frank Warren. It is mainly due to the fact that Calzaghe has dominated the Super Middlewieght division for so long, that there is nobody left to box. In fact the number one contender to his throne at the moment, is German Mario Veit, a man Calzaghe knocked out in round one a few years back. As far as Calzaghe is concerned his business at this level is done.
Moving on......I HAVE to take issue with BL comments that Calzaghe has a suspect chin. The guy has seen the canvas once in his entire career (that is 37 fights), and even then he got back up off the floor and demolished Mitchell. Until you see Calzaghe on the floor more often, there is NO way you can say he has a suspect chin. I also dispute the fact that a points decision in the UK would be biased. We are not talking about Las Vegas or Germany here, and apart from Johnson-Woods Part One, I cannot remember a fight in the UK that has had a dodgy points outcome. I have said this once on these boards in the past, but the fact that UK fights have the 'home town' decision is just an American myth!!
Finally, about two months before the Calzaghe-Johnson fight, Calzaghe was about to divorce his wife, and had a court case for assault staring him down the face (it has snce been dropped!) You will find that this was the real decision behind Calzaghe's withdrawal. I really think Johnsons decision to cancel stunned Calzaghe. I cannot begrudge Johnson, as he was the belt holder, but nobody was expecting Johnson to cancel!!!
Also a big reason behind Calzaghe not travelling much to fight is his buge fear of flying. He has only flown twice....once to fight in Denmark on a Mike Tyson card, and second to promote his Charles Brewer fight out in the USA, but he has said he is willing to fight anybody out in the USA if it can be arranged.
Finally, Calzaghe moving up to light-heavy is a natural step. He has always struggled to make the weight at super-middle somewhat, and there is the argument that he will be stronger at light heavyweight, due to his weight being at a more natural level.
I was not really asking the board on who would win a Calzaghe-Johnson fight or a Calzaghe-Tarver contest.... I know those answers myself!! ;-) and I can assure you it is not Tarver or Johnson, but more what is the gossip out in the USA on how this Johnson win opens up the light heavyweight divison to other fighters, and wether Calzaghe is being talked about???
