Joe Calzaghe Vs Mikkel Kessler: A Breakdown of a Superfight
By Daniel “Tex” Cohen-August 29, 2007
www.ringsidereport.com

Note to Readers: I do not recommend betting on boxing. A scorecard does not have to be legitimate because there is no accountability when it comes to outcomes based on points in this game. However, the following article might put your losing streak into a little better perspective. If you’re going to keep trying your hand, do it with style and intelligence.

The reference to the theory of something being decided on paper is one that is common in American euphemism. The story is always that while something might work out on paper it may not lead to a proper representation of real life. It is for that reason that pundits miss predictions.

On paper, this year includes some great fights. Shane Mosley against Miguel Cotto pits a speedily-handed veteran against a young fighter on top of the world. Jermain Taylor against Kelly Pavlik will be Taylor’s chance to silence doubters and Pavlik’s chance to take the world by storm and battle his way into the Pound for Pound rankings. The best and most underrated fight of the year may be the Super Middleweight Championship unifier between Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler.

Calzaghe and Kessler are two little mentioned names in the boxing world because of their division and their locations. Both men fight as Super Middleweights, a grouping packed with very few superb American fighters and very few Pound for Pound favorites. Though that may change if and when Taylor and Pavlik join the division, it stands for now that these men are the only ones worth listing.

Others in the division all have a major hang up when it comes to fighting as elites. Russian Victor Oganov, though menacing with a perfect 26 knock outs in as many fights, has never faced a competitor with a record of more than nine fights above the even mark. Jeff Lacy barely won his last fight against Vitali Tsypko. Undefeated fighters Lucian Bute, Carl Froch, Jean Paul Mendy, Giovanni Lorenzo and Denis Inkin are all unproven on the big stage.

Kessler shut out Librado Andrade and obliterated Markus Beyer. Calzaghe handily defeated Peter Manfredo, JR. Anthony Mundine recently suffered what may be a career ending injury. Tsypko, as mentioned, lost to Lacy. Allan Green is climbing the mountain for a comeback after looking horrible against Edison Miranda. He claims he was sick at the time, but only time will show the real Green.

Picking the winner of this fight based on the records alone makes for a messy explanation when fight night comes around. It’s fine to use lineage as a factor for a decision but dependence is risky love, war and gambling.

If lineage is inconsistent and the sheet in front of a man at the boards in Mandalay Bay with his last five bucks cannot depend on his numbers, there requires an adaptation in the average gambler. There must be more factors to consider than the Money Ball approach. In fact, it can be contended that picking a winner can be based on the following:

-Lineage and Personal History
-Styles
-X-Factors (Internal and External, Mental and Physical)

Lineage

The way lineage works as a tool of measurement for greatness and over all boxing rankings is one that carries more aspects than that of standard win-loss systems in other sports. For one, the fact that a person with a good record loses a fight leads to the circular pattern that a fighter is good because he beat a fighter who is good because he beat a fighter who is good (and so on and so forth). Also, lineage fails to account for anything that can be considered a statistical sample because there are never enough fights for a long term mean to be established.

Using lineage to pick the winner of a fight is drastically different from using it to determine the greatness of a career in terms of Hall of Fame status. Because of the possible similarities in records between two fighters, levels of competitive records, fashion of fight and the surrounding circumstances leading up in the days before, a gambler can not just look at the numbers, weigh the handicap and bet. Ricardo Mayorga’s ability to knock out Vernon Forrest does not spell his ability to knock out any man Forrest has ever faced. In fact, Forrest beat Sugar Shane Mosley, who beat Oscar De La Hoya, who turned Mayorga’s face into a glove indented pancake.

What lineage can do is allow an analyst to make the discovery of how a fighter has performed against a fighter like the one he is facing at the present. In fact, it can also deduce how he would have done against a similar fighter at an earlier date in the career of both men. By utilizing that information, a model can be created. While a model is not a theory or a technique, it is sound as a building block to bigger and better ideas.

For example, Kessler and Calzaghe both have been very sound at beating power punchers and have had what relative trouble there is to be found in each man’s career against those in the mold of boxer-punchers. As both men are boxer-punchers themselves, the model makes sense. Each can take a good shot to the gut and hardly ever gets hit there. Therefore, there likely will not be a knockout this fight and both men will box for the entirety. That supports a close decision.

Styles

The adage that styles make fights is the kind of phrase forwarded by someone who spends time up close and personal with the actual physical side of boxing. Where lineage fails, a look at style can pick up the slack. If a speedy fighter is facing a bigger man with longer arms and decent speed for his own size, he may have trouble getting inside the puncher’s box. A longer fighter will probably not be able to ward off a bulldog with broad shoulders if he throws a high volume of jabs but never lands with any snap. A defense first fighter has to change his style to beat one of his own kind.

In this case, Kessler will probably be the man coming forward while Calzaghe spends time moving laterally. That makes for Kessler coming forward and Calzaghe backwards. In an age where some fights are decided by who the judges pin as the aggressor, this could bode poorly for Calzaghe. However, Calzaghe can also set counter-punching traps and whack Kessler with hooks as he comes inside. He may eventually even slow down part of the way through the fight.

This is all under the assumption that Kessler does not change his style, which brings us to…

X Factors (Internal and External, Mental and Physical)

All non-observed factors are either mental or physical. If they are physical, they are either internal or external. All mental factors are internal because a mind can’t exist outside of its body.

Internal X-factor deals with the fighter himself and his every day surroundings. Mental internal factors include familial issues, general self doubt or basic societal disciplinary issues that can include criminal behavior. A less dramatic mental X-Factor was when Antonio Tarver remained flat footed during his fight with Bernard Hopkins. It was apparent that Tarver was outthought as well as out hustled. Mental X-Factors are very difficult to deduce because human beings are observers rather than mind readers.

Physical internal factors come from injuries or sicknesses to the fighter himself. Examples might include Allan Green’s sickness before the Miranda fight and any of the many fighters who have shown up to weigh ins having taken diuretics or gone without food for days leading up to the fight. Conversely, a fighter might also juice his way to a massive, muscle bound blimp in the weeks preceding. While the fight verdict might be overturned later if the industry is lucky, Vegas will not give you back your money.

Physical external factors deal with environment and surroundings. It deals with who holds home court advantage (if anyone). It deals with the factors affecting the fighter’s opponent. It deals with the behavior of the referee and the judges. It deals with media murmurings and how they affect the fans. Physical external factors include all the bad decisions you have ever seen, all the bad business that goes on in the weeks before a match, what kind of gloves are to be worn, for how many rounds the fight is scheduled and which set of rules are being used. The amount of physical external factors has a ceiling but is countless mathematically.

X-Factors can never be fully watched or understood but they are the most important part of choosing who will win a fight. It is usually clear who is a better specimen in a fight, but upsets are made by circumstances. The ability to read those circumstances and pick under dogs is how money is made in the gambling arena. In the same way, it is how pundits earn respect.

Let the games and the tickets flow freely.

Prediction: Calzaghe by Unanimous Decision

IS CALZAGHE IN FOR A SHOCK?
Matthew Sanderson
08/29/2007 - United Kingdom
www.tigerboxing.com

Roy Jones Jr liked to tell people that he juggled identities in the ring. On the one hand, there was Roy Jones the athlete, seemingly untouchable 168- and 175-pounds. And his evil alter ego, RJ, who would take over on the special occasions in which early KOs were needed.

Both of those personas deserted Jones after his heavyweight success against John Ruiz in 2003 left him a drained and ageing fighter. It is something he is only starting to come to terms with, after beating an aggressive Anthony Hanshaw this year.

Jones is not an isolated case. His super middleweight successor, Joe Calzaghe (43-0, 32 KOs), finds himself in a similar boat heading toward his unification match with Mikkel Kessler (39-0, 29 inside) on November 3. Despite being scintillating in good company, Joe’s trouble is he fights down to lesser men.

Witness his 1000 punch (even if he threw, rather than landed, that many) masterclass over Jeff Lacy in March of 2006 and then look at his amateurish brawl with Sakio Bika in a follow-up fight that had many wondering if the Welshman was a one-hit wonder.

His career has swung wildly between these two poles since he picked up the WBO crown in 1997, which he's held over 20 defenses.

With home advantage, he’s going to win his biggest fight against his best foe, right?

Maybe not.

The Dane has given away home ground before, when he marched in to Australia to outwork the talented Anthony Mundine. Mundine was defensive, and made things very awkward. Kessler pressed the fight and won a difficult decision.

Calzaghe will be fierce, and make things very exciting before an anticipated 70,000 fans at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. He’ll be easier to hit, too. Operating behind a superb jab, Kessler also has a stiff right cross and hits well in combination.

The right hand just happens to be Joe’s Achilles heel. Eubank and Charles Brewer hurt him at the end of fights in which they were getting beatdowns. Talented Richie Woodhall, now one of the best commentators/panellists in British boxing, hit Joe with rights all night in their battle, before falling in ten.

Even Mario Veit shook the fast and furious “Pride of Wales” with such a punch that momentarily buckled his knees in their 2004 rematch, spurring Joe to grind him down in six.

Unlike Jones, who opted for a safety first approach unless in exceptional circumstances, Calzaghe is an aggressor. One of the fiercest competitors around, he’ll push opponents to their physical limits. Aiding him are fast hands and an engine that has yet to let him down in 14 years as a 168-pound pro.

And there is the suspicion that people known what to expect from Calzaghe, having stunned Lacy and ambushed the boxing public with one of the most exciting solo displays of recent years.

Excellent at judging distance, Kessler may be just out of range when Joe tries to drum away on him, and quick to pounce when the Welshman makes a mistake. Joe’s notion that he’s going to just go in there and give the 28-year-old a 2000 punch hammering rings false.

It sounds like the kind of reckless miscalculation that Evander Holyfield made when promising a third round KO of Lennox Lewis, only to get his ears boxed off in their controversial “draw.”

Rapid flurries are fine, only if they have meaning in the context of a particular fight. While Kessler likes to fight at a comfortable pace, he will come roaring back if an opponent tries to take liberties. As was the case with Andrade, who paid for his aggression with some head spinning lefts and rights.

Joe’s 35 now and his brittle hands could “go” at any time. He’s hardly going to improve at this stage.

Unless the long-time WBO champion, or one of his publicists, is showing a sense of humour, it looks like the “Big Fight Joe” that Wales is depending on could already be at a loss.

Kessler isn’t coming in for one last crack at glory, as his handful of ex champs did. He’s bringing two world titles, an excellent skill set, and is risking a superstar future. He’s more prepared to walk into the lion’s den than Lacy was, and he’s more proven.

Joe Calzaghe has finally bagged the big one, after years of – whichever you choose to believe – either avoiding it or waiting patiently for it. His back will be against the wall against Mikkel Kessler, the closest he’ll ever have to an equal.

Calzaghe will have to reach inward and find something new. That’s what could make him so dangerous at this late stage in his career.

kessler is been given way to much respect. calzaghe will take him out within six rounds. easy fight for joe. lacy would beat kessler.

Kessler

Calzaghe and Kessler Prepare For War
www.eastsideboxing.com

26.09.07 - By Matthew Hurley: Of all the big fights coming up as we head into the winter months there is one that truly gets this writer’s juices flowing. When Joe Calzaghe steps into the ring with Mikkel Kessler in a super middleweight boxing title unification match I will be on the edge of my seat. I have long championed Joe Calzaghe, and long been frustrated with him because of endless injuries. And then Mikkel Kessler came along. Immediately I began to salivate over this potential rivalry.

The super middleweight division is an anomaly, let’s be frank. But it has housed some of the most exciting fighters in the business. It was also the residence of one of the most highly anticipated rematches in boxing history. When Thomas Hearns finally got his second shot at Sugar Ray Leonard back in 1989 I was an aspiring sports writer. I covered the press conference for a writing class at Northeastern University and the entire experience changed my life.

Dealing with Bob Arum and security guards and all the nonsense that goes along with big fight “to dos” I found myself completely spell bound by the fighters. It certainly helped matters that the “Hitman” was, and remains, my all time favorite pugilist. And he couldn’t have been nicer or more accommodating to me.

So the super middleweight division, not one of the original eight divisions, has a history. From Hearns and Leonard, to Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank right on down to Calzaghe and Kessler – two of the best fighters in the business, the one hundred and sixty eight pound division has provided boxing fans much to cheer about. This match up will not only provide fight fans with classic technical skills, it will also ratch up the intensity with a sell out crowd at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales that will be infectious.

Calzaghe has compiled one of the most impressive resumes in boxing but his critics have consistently maintained that he has dodged tough fights. Indeed he has pulled out of numerous bouts because of injuries but his complete domination of Jeff Lacy in 2006 proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the long time reigning champion was legitimate.

Kessler is by far Calzaghe’s toughest challenger. Despite the fact that Calzaghe went into his bout against Lacy as an underdog, most die hard fans and media scribes knew that the champion would bust up his green challenger. Kessler is a completely different package. The man can fight and Calzaghe knows it. The heavily tattooed Kessler presents all sorts of dilemmas for the long time pound for pound resident. He’s big, technically sound and hits with sledge hammer fists.

The bout will unify the titles at super middleweight, but the belts are superfluous. Of course they mean the world to the two combatants, but to the fans all that matters is that these two supremely talented fighters are squaring off against one another.

So Long Joe Calzaghe, So Long...
by Lee Hayes
www.eastsideboxing.com

27.09.07 - This November 3rd in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales is going to be booming. One of the best fights that can currently be made in the sport of boxing is going down and the intangibles make this a difficult fight to pick. Let me start by saying I've been a Joe Calzaghe supporter for years now. I think he's been a super talented fighter and his ring and title longevity deserve credit. I believe for that and for what he has meant to the UK boxing scene alone, he'll be a lock in for a seat in Canastota at the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way let me say what needs to be said; Joe Calzaghe cannot beat Mikkel Kessler.
"Why not?" you ask. "The intangibles!" I say.

On his absolute best night, at his peak shape, I would pick Joe Calzaghe over Mikkel Kessler. I think a prime Calzaghe was faster, more ellusive and had shown that he could come back from adversity. He's fought through a ton of injuries - injuries that lesser fighters might find a way to quit from. But Calzaghe demonstrated time and time again that he had the moxy to pull himself out from the brink of defeat. Or, as Teddy Atlas might say, Joe's gone to "those dark places where fighters go", where they find out if they have the testicular fortitude to fight back from their worst nightmares. Also, let's get one of boxing's myths out of the way right now...the luckiest thing to never happen to Calzaghe's old rival, Sven Otke, was their proposed super-match. Joe would have beaten Sven senseless.

So, what about hand speed? Nobody can deny that Kessler, the Great Dane, also has excellent hand speed and a nice variety of combinations to choose from. But Joe's hands are still a little faster.

Who hits harder? That one is a little bit more complex. Mikkel's got dynamite in his hands, no doubt. I think he's one of the best combination punchers in any division right now. Joe, for a guy who has a bad reputation as a "slapper", has this uncanny ability to just pop off a brilliant, slicing, destructive straight left hand that is almost - dare I say - Pacquiao-esque. Unfortunately, it's not consistent enough to be a big factor. The punching power advantage goes to Kessler in this one.

When it comes to chins there is one thing we have to take in to consideration; that Joe's chin has been tested by a better field of opponents. Kessler's opposition has been respectable, but it's not in the same league. With that said, Calzaghe is prone to flash knock downs and let's not have any doubt...this Dane's a beast! The advantage here is inconclusive.

If Kessler manages to get poor Joe hurt or wobbled, he'll be all over him. I just don't think Joe will survive the onslaught that follows in that scenario. Not at this late stage in his career. There's been too much time off. Not only for the well documented injuries 'the Pride of Wales' has encountered, but also for the less spoken about, but oft insinuated and whispered idea, that maybe, just maybe...not all of Joe's lengthy layoffs were unavoidable.
So what will be the outcome?

Whatever the case, the fight will be spectacular and competitive for the first round or two and then the inevitable will happen. Mikkel Kessler's pin point straight right hand and left hook to the liver will begin hitting Calzaghe with increased accuracy and fire power. The intensity will continue from the younger, stronger fighter and Joe will either find a way out or go out the same way the great Joe Louis did when he found himself in the ring against a young and rising star in Rocky Marciano.

First the legs will betray him, and then he'll find what every great fighter eventually does when they've gone one too far - that he can't bail himself out with a lucky punch. It will be because his opponent's punch is suddenly luckier and that he can no longer depend on his own hand speed and elusiveness. It will be because he finds his more youthful opponent is suddenly faster and harder to hit. The final step in this pugalistic circle of life will be short and not-so-sweet for all of Calzaghe's diehard fans. When all of his skills have betrayed him, he will barely have time to realize that his chin - yes, the one that's always been just a little suspect - will completely abandon him and leave him a vulnerable shell of his former indestructable self. My guess will be that Joe and his trainer/father Enzo Calzaghe will retire and ride off into the sunset of a comfy retirement life, happy and content. I can't see him coming out of retirement and embarassing himself like Ray Leonard did at the end of his career.

So, respect Calzaghe for all of his boxing accomplishments and for what he's done to awaken the sport in Wales. By most accounts he's a great guy and it's always a shame when another elite boxer's career comes to a close. I for one, come November 3rd, will be able to separate my appreciation for Calzaghe and my enthusiasm for what the future will bring with Kessler at the helm of the 168 lb division.

Mikkel Kessler vs. Kelly Pavlik anyone?

God dammet its to hard to pick one, I realy just Hope that its a 12 round WAR! in my Heart im going to Calzaghe, but my brain is going with Kessler, even thou i know that Calzaghe has fought better competition.

CALZAGHE'S DECADE OF DOMINANCE
www.eastsideboxing.com

It's Joe Calzaghe's Decade of Dominance tomorrow (11 October) as he celebrates the 10th anniversary of his famous victory over British great Chris Eubank to win the WBO World Super-Middleweight title. The undefeated Welshman has made 20 successful defences of his belt in that time and also added the IBF crown to his illustrious record..

He will certainly go down as one of the all-time greats to come out of this country.

Now 35 and boasting a perfect 43-0 record, Calzaghe will aim to again unify the 168lb division on November 3 when he tackles WBC and WBA champion Mikkel Kessler at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff televised live and exclusive on Setanta Sports.

When Calzaghe beat Eubank, Britain's two big world champions at the time were Naseem Hamed and Lennox Lewis, both have long since retired, but Calzaghe is still there at the top.

Speaking from his training camp for the fight, Calzaghe said he was incredibly proud of his achievement.

"If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would still be champion today, I wouldn't have believed them," said Calzaghe.

"I didn't plan on being the longest reigning world champion, it just happened. When you see the names of who was world champion back then like Lennox and Naz then you realise just how long it has been. I've also outlasted the Spice Girls although they have just made a return which is what I don't plan to do when I retire from boxing,"

"It's been hard work holding on to my title though and I don't plan on giving it up yet. Kessler is probably the best fighter I have ever faced, but like all the others, he'll be going home empty handed,"

"The time has flown by, I was a good looking, fresh faced kid at 25 but I've weathered quite well in ten years as I don't take too many punches to my face and I've never had my nose broken,"

"I've still got plenty of ambition though and once I beat Kessler I want to step up to the light-heavyweight division and conquer there but I don't want to reign for another ten years, hopefully I will be retired!"

"The Kessler fight is the biggest of my career and I want to stay focused on him for now, the celebrations can wait until after I have beaten Kessler."

Calzaghe's incredible 10-year reign has seen him beat former world champions Robin Reid, Richie Woodhall, Charles Brewer and Byron Mitchell, as well as the stunning victory over IBF holder Jeff Lacy.

He has also been recognised as the best super-middleweight in the world by boxing bible The Ring magazine, and awarded the MBE for his services to the sport.

By way of comparison, when Calzaghe captured the belt, Tony Blair had been in power just a few months having won the 1997 General Election, Dolly the Sheep had become the first animal to be successfully cloned, the first Harry Potter novel had just been published and iPods and DVDs were not around.

Elton John's Candle in the Wind was the number one single, while The Verve's Urban Hymns topped the album charts and supergroups Oasis and the Spice Girls were at the peak of their power.

Channel Five was launched in 1997, while on the night Calzaghe beat Eubank, England's footballers drew with Italy in Rome in a World Cup qualifier to ensure progress to the 1998 World Cup.

Paul Gascoigne ran the midfield that night, while Tony Adams led the defence.

England's cricketers, captained by Mike Atherton, had suffered another Ashes reverse in the summer, while in boxing, Britain's two big world champions were Naseem Hamed and Lennox Lewis who have long since retired.

Lewis had yet to have his career-defining fights against Evander Holyfield, while Hamed was preparing for his American debut with a December clash with Kevin Kelley in New York.

In the world of movies, Titanic dominated the Oscars in 1997, while the Full Monty helped revive British cinema as it played to sell-out audiences up and down the country.

Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren said, "To be world champion for ten years in any sport is a phenomenal achievement. How many sportsman, not only in Britain but the world, can say that they beat the best in their sport and remain undefeated champion for ten years?

"Joe is one of the nice guys of the sport and it has been a real privilege to promote him. This is not only a celebration for Joe but for his father Enzo who deserves a lot of the credit for all the hard work he has put into training Joe and turning him into the world class fighter that he is. Along with Enzo, I believe that we make a great team and that I have added to his great success story along the way."

He added, "Joe has had so many great defences but without a doubt the Lacy fight is the greatest performance that I have seen from a British boxer in a fight that he went into as the so called underdog and he totally dominated the fight from start to finish.

"There is still plenty more to come from Joe and he is in a massive fight against Kessler next month which will be the toughest of his career."

WAR CALZAGHE!!!!

everyone thought joe would lose to lacy. kesslers got a good record in that he aint got a loss. look closer and you will see why. he didnt even fight in a scheduled 12 rounder till his 29th fight. he fought mundine and couldnt knock him out. fuckin ottke knocked mundine out. that blows out any ideas of kessler being a hard puncher. the guy has been protected and fed bums and has beens. they obviously think calzaghe comes into that catergory now. ask jeff lacy see what he thinks.

I'm gonna go with Calzaghe by UD. It aint gonna be an easy fight though

Kessler=domination.
He has more power & holds wins over better/higher ranked opponents. As long as he doesnt let Calzaghe stay inside and throw all those damn punches he wins walking away.

kessler is been given way to much respect. calzaghe will take him out within six rounds. easy fight for joe. lacy would beat kessler.

Lacy beat Kessler??...Im unsure how u figure that one out.

Comparing Kessler to Lacy is a no brainer.Lacy is a short left hooker with glaring limitations.Kessler on the other hand is a proven boxer/puncher.
Say what u like about Mundine but hes 10 times the fighter he was when Ottke beat him and Kessler beat him him decisively with just 2-3 weeks training after a back injury forced him out for a while.
Kessler is surprisingly fast for a power puncher and he proved he can counter speed and box at long range very effectively in the Mundine fight…his chin and stamina are proven also.

It’d be ridiculous of team Calzaghe to give Kessler anything but their utmost respect & props going into this fight,particularly considering that at 35 Joes best may well be past him and at 26 Kesslers best is yet to come.

I believe Kessler will win this one,his youth being the decisive factor.

Joe Calzaghe Talks to the Media
www.secondsout.com

Jerry Glick reporting: Joe Calzaghe burst onto…..well maybe burst is not the right word. Snuck up onto the boxing world when he quietly took Chris Ewbank’s WBO Super-Middleweight Belt ten-yes I said ten-years ago. Now, all of a sudden, everyone wants to watch this guy fight, or get into the ring and fight him. That depends on whether you are a 160 to 175 pound professional fighter or not. This reporter is part of the “or not” group. But I do like to watch this classy guy ply his trade.

His opponent for the fight, WBA and WBC Super-Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler, who is from Denmark and now lives in Monaco, was a no show for a conference call with the media, so Calzaghe and his father/trainer Enzo, carried the press conference on their own quite well.

When Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy traveled to Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom in March of 2006, to face Calzaghe, he and his American supporters acted as though he shouldn’t even have to go there to fight. Just add the “W” to Lacy’s log and the “L” to Calzaghe’s. Stepping into the ring was just a formality; why bother at all?

Well, even if you are only a casual fan of boxing you should be aware of how Calzaghe picked Lacy apart. It wasn’t a fight, it was a massacre. Lacy hasn’t been the same since. This guy from Wales can fight. Boy can he fight.

Hosting the conference call was Fred Sternberg who pointed out that ticket sales were so good up until then that there is hope that it will be a record breaker.

“Ticket sales are way over thirty thousand already,” said Sternberg. “So if we haven’t passed the indoor European record set by Calzaghe’s last defense against Peter Manfredo, we’re pretty darn close to it.”

Calzaghe will have the home field advantage because the November 3rd fight will be staged at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Calzaghe’s home country.

Calzaghe stated that he was very pleased the way training has gone so far. He is also very confident of victory. After 43 straight wins (32 by knockout) without a defeat, that comes with the territory.

“At the end of the day, regardless who’s in the opposite corner, I believe 110% that no one can beat me,” said Calzaghe.

He believes he knows what to expect from Kessler.

“No matter what game Mikkel brings to the table,” predicted Calzaghe, “I’m going to win. ”

“I’ve seen him fight,” added Calzaghe. “He’s very good. He’s a European style upright fighter.” Calzaghe added that each tape of Kessler that he has viewed he sees little difference in his style.

“He’s not adaptable. And I think he’s got to adapt. I don’t think he’s ever faced anybody like me, my ability and my adaptability,” lectured Calzaghe.

Calzaghe may feel that he is in a different league than Kessler, but Lacy, according to Calzaghe, doesn’t compare well against Kessler.

“Kessler is a better fighter than Lacy,” says Calzaghe. “Lacy is one dimensional and predictable, but I’m more confident with this fight than the Lacy fight,” added Calzaghe.

Calzaghe said that he has had a smoother training camp this time around, pointing out that he has had no injuries as compared with training for Lacy.

“I always said I wanted to put on a big fight in the states, fortunately there’s many great fighters over there my weight,” said Calzaghe.

“It would be great to pick up a fight at Madison Square Garden before I retire,” said Calzaghe. “That would be great.”

“I believe I have a massive following. It would be a lot of excitement.”

“It would be a disappointment for me if I don’t fight in the states,” Calzaghe lamented. “But as I said, I’m only going to fight a few more fights so I better do it soon.”

Calzaghe believes that this unification fight with Kessler will create interest in a Calzaghe to fight in the United States.

“Yeah, definitely,” Calzaghe said. “This is the first time I’m going live on HBO. My last two fights were recorded earlier in the evening. I think there’s a lot of interest, so it’s important for me to go in there and fight my best fight.”

Calzaghe is aware of who he is facing, and what Kessler can do in the ring.

“I watched him about three times,” recalled the long time WBO Champion. “I saw most of his fight with Mundine (UD 12 for Kessler), and I saw the Beyer fight. Obviously I didn’t see much so it was pretty much useless (KO 3 for Kessler).”

Calzaghe says that he does not sit and watch hours and hours of his opponents fighting.

“I just want to get an idea of what his style is and that’s it,” explained Calzaghe. “It’s the same with Lacy and the same with other fighters. At the end of the day, they have to plan for me. I don’t go in with too many plans. I just fight the way I fight.

Calzaghe does not think he is in with a softy. He knows that Kessler has skills.

“He’s a straight puncher, he likes to come out to the center of the ring he doesn’t fight good going back, he doesn’t like to fight inside. I have to use my speed, my angles, and use my combinations.”

Calzaghe has respect for Kessler, “He’s the second best Super-Middleweight in the world.”

Once he defeats Kessler, who is unbeaten with 39 wins, 29 of those by knockout, Calzaghe said that he would consider moving to 175 pounds and Bernard Hopkins.

“Hopkins would be a big fight. Obviously, Kelly Pavlik is a fighter that we would stay at Super-Middleweight for,” said Calzaghe.

“I want to go after two fights, but I think I can go until I’m 50. I feel like 40,” said Calzaghe causing laughter.

“I’m as quick as ever,” said the WBO King. “I could kick my ass of five or ten years ago.”

“I want to be one of those few fighters who retired at the top. You don’t see that much these days,” said Calzaghe.

“I don’t want to be like those fighters who stick around; fighters who keep fighting and keep fighting. I don’t want to end up like Holyfield where it’s ridiculous; he’s 45 and he keeps coming back. He still has a dream and I feel sorry. I am a massive Holyfield fan. I just wish he’d retire.”

Calzaghe talks about using angles. Being a southpaw lends itself to fighting that way.

“Being a southpaw you have to use angles,” said Calzaghe. “This guy is a straight puncher so when I throw combinations it is important for me to stand off to the side and give him angles.”

Calzaghe is a classy fighter with a strong sense of what legacy really means. He says that he could fudge it by taking a bunch of easy fights to eclipse Joe Louis’ record of 25 defenses of his world title, but that is not how he wants to go out.

“It would be a lot easier for me to keep going on to take some easier fights to beat Joe Louis’ record,” said Calzaghe. “But the way I look at it I want to go out fighting the big fights. I’ll take the biggest fight at Super-Middleweight, Kessler. After this, take the biggest fight at Light-Heavyweight; then after that probably call it a day.”

At the age of 35, a fighter starts to talk about the end, but what happened at the beginning?

“I started boxing at 9 I went to a local boxing gym and was hooked from then on. Actually I lost my first ever fight at the age of ten.” Calzaghe explained that the other guy’s father was one of the Judges. If that’s not corruption then I don’t know what is.

Right now Joe Calzaghe is the most popular guy among his peers from 160 pounds up to 175. He is being viewed from above and below.

“It’s great for me,” said Calzaghe. “Hopkins, whether he’s being honest or not, is calling me out. It makes me feel good. It shows that I’m one of the best, and one of the most popular fighters in the world, and obviously this fight with Kessler having prime time viewing on HBO is fantastic, and an excellent place to showcase my skills. Kessler’s a very good fighter and I am also. I think it has the ingredients to be, maybe, fight of the year.”

“People in this country know that I’ve been the number one fighter for years; unfortunately in an unfashionable division over the years. Fortunately my longevity and my Lacy performance finally stood out and realized that I am one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, and I’ve been that for a decade. How many fighters can say that?

Most of the time, when a young man, or today a young woman, decides to trade leather for a living something or someone reached into their soul and motivated them to put their body and heart in jeopardy; to become a prize fighter. For Joe Calzaghe it was Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard.

“I suppose fighters like Hagler and Leonard (inspired me). My dad was a big boxing fan. He was also a big sports fan. I have memories of watching Leonard fight, and Hagler fight.”

As it turns out, host Fred Sternberg announced that Marvin Hagler will be on hand doing some media work. Talk about inspiration. Makes one think of the youngster out there watching a future Hall of Famer, maybe even two of them, fighting it out to unify the 168 pound division. What will that young person be doing in fifteen or twenty years from now?

Kesslers a big step up for Joe.
Calzaghes never really beat anyone of note,Lacy was hype and thats probly his best win.
Kesslers gonna bring more weapons and power than Joes ever had to deal with.
Props to Joe for stepping up though.Fighting a young lion like Kessler at this stage of his career is a challenge that lays to rest the idea that he ducks fighters.

:pow:

everyone thought joe would lose to lacy. kesslers got a good record in that he aint got a loss. look closer and you will see why. he didnt even fight in a scheduled 12 rounder till his 29th fight. he fought mundine and couldnt knock him out. fuckin ottke knocked mundine out. that blows out any ideas of kessler being a hard puncher. the guy has been protected and fed bums and has beens. they obviously think calzaghe comes into that catergory now. ask jeff lacy see what he thinks.

Lacy was so overrated its sad. He barely beat a can in the fight after that.

i caught cal at 2.40 to one odds.....so i put $500 down hoping to get back over 1200....he was paying 5.40 for a decision which was madness but i couldnt bring myself to narrowing it that much

Last update: 10-21-2007
www.boxingscene.com
Legitimate Answers to Legitimate Questions
By Troy Ondrizek

The upcoming super-middleweight title fight between Joe Calzaghe (43-0, 32KOs) and Mikkel Kessler (39-0, 29KOs) is quite possibly the most important fight that the sport of boxing has had in years. The levity of that statement is settling in at this moment, years, really, the most important fight in years; how can this be? Undoubtedly there have been some big fights this year alone, I mean De La Hoya/Mayweather was a big fight, but it really didn’t carry the same historical importance of what is about to take place next month.

There have been fights between future hall-of-famers, up and coming champions, and major upsets; yet none carry the weight and the questions that Calzaghe/Kessler does.

Granted the super-middleweight division isn’t necessarily a division steeped in history with great fights and great fighters, but there have been a few greats that have blessed the division with their presence. But this fight is so much more than the division; it truly has much to do about alphabet titles, legacies, and legitimacy for all. Basically it all boils down to legitimacy; the legitimacy of Kessler as a paper champion and contender; the legitimacy of Calzaghe’s 10 year reign as a alphabet champion; the sanctioning organizations themselves and the men they have chosen to represent them in this dysfunctional division; and the legitimacy of this being a unification match.

Okay, I’ll address the last statement first. This is not a unification match in a theory sense, I repeat; this is not a unification match theory sense. Yes both men have titles from different sanctioning organizations, but we are blessed with a linear champion in this instance (Calzaghe) and thus those titles mean nothing. This fight is all about the true super-middleweight title and there is one champion (Calzaghe) and the number one contender (Kessler). We are fortunate to have this much clarity on who the champion is, if only the lightweights were this organized.

With that subject addressed, we seamlessly move on to the fact of how much claim does Mikkel Kessler really have to being a champion? Well if we think in absolutes, then he has none. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is a great fighter and has held belts for some time, but Joe Calzaghe became the linear champion when he battered Jeff Lacy into obscurity. Kessler had yet to become the contender he is today and many still had Markus Beyer along with Jeff Lacy ahead of him. So no matter how many shiny trinkets are attached to Mikkel’s waist, Joe is the champion and he is the challenger. Granted, there is no more worthy challenger than Kessler and Juan Diaz is in the same boat as Kessler is.

Now that Calzaghe has been the linear champion for a little over 18 months, what type of credibility does give his 10 year spread as the WBO’s champion? Well there were a few different title holders during that span, but the only other fighter of note was Sven Ottke. A man that captured the IBF in 1998, only a year after Joe and Ottke went “undefeated” up until his retirement in 2004, without there ever being a realistic hint of a unification bout.

Granted, if I was Joe I wouldn’t have fought Ottke either, at least in Germany. For being the “Pride of Wales” in Germany would’ve garnered nothing but a loss to the “Phantom”. You see Sven was called the Phantom more for the fact that if you beat him mercilessly you still wouldn’t see a win; Ottke got more dubious decisions in his favor than Primo Carnera. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure my harsh stance against sanctioning trinkets seems like the rants of a keyboard warrior. So I will give some credit to Joe and Mikkel and all the other alphabet titlists. Sometimes how a man earns a title shot can be a bit questionable, but you have to win to earn anything in this sport and it does take some skill to get there and stay there like these two men have.

Joe states that Mikkel has never fought a fighter like him and won’t be able to handle his combination of speed and power. Sorry Joe, you don’t have that combination. Wait; listen to me for a second before you decree that I’m simply out of my mind. Calzaghe has some blazing handspeed that’s for sure; however that’s when he slaps. Though Joe does have a bit more accuracy and throws better combos in his fit of rage. He loses his superior quickness when he sits down on his punches. He still beats his man to the punch due to respectable handspeed and throwing his punches straight. Calzaghe can switch things up inside the ring and adjust well, he possess both speed and power but not at the same time. His one truly consistent attribute is accuracy, no matter the intentions on his punches; they seem to find a home.

Mikkel has the prototypical European style; he throws jabs followed by straight rights and a left hook to the body. He is upright, in front of you, and willing to trade. Joe claims to know this and says the Dane won’t touch him. I hate to break it to you Joe, those punches come faster than you expect due to how ramrod straight they are. Sure Mikkel is easily found and in front of you but try to step around his punches and eat of few of those power shots. Librado Andrade did well after blocking all of those punches with his head, but the fact he was still conscious and upright was a bit eerie.

Some say Mikkel is limited, but he is limited to power, combinations, and a burning desire to mix it up. Joe is fast, but timing can beat speed. Mikkel has better technique and more power, but Joe is more gifted. This is a beautiful mixture of styles between two men who have so much to prove, with this being their best opportunity.

A finality is what we will get as a result from this clash. Cotto/Mosley will give us a contender for the winner of Mayweather/Hatton, and the latter will theoretically remove someone’s “0”. But neither fight will give us or the participants as many answers as Calzaghe/Kessler can.

Kessler: I'm gonna smash Calzaghe!
www.fightnews.com
October 22, 2007
By Steen Uno

"I actually fear that Calzaghe will do all match spoiling efforts to try to block me out of the game," says WBC/WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (39-0, 29 KOs) . "So I´ll obviously have to face him the hardest way of all and smash him within the distance."

Now just 12 days away from the much anticipated super middle triple unification clash with fellow undefeated WBO reigning Joe Calzalge on November 3/4 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff), Kessler has heated up the verbal assault.

"Calzaghe is going to use every effort and any trick to avoid me in clean fighting," commented Kessler. "From first bell I´ll be prepared to beat my way out of infighting in a very rough way. I expect Calzaghe´s chin to take my first punch and also the second. But take my word, the third one will explode him to stagger - and the fourth will stop him and the fight as well...!"

Last weekend, Kessler ended a couple of weeks´ successful sparring with capable Belfast southpaw Brian Magee. This week in Copenhagen Kessler and chief coach Ricard Olsen pay their final attention to defining tactical details before heading to Cardiff next Sunday.

"I´ll do just a few rounds of technical sparring this week before going to Wales," he said. "I´ve been preparing for this fight since last June, so I´ve got everything crystal clear in my mind."

The federations involved have nominated Connecticut based Mike Ortega as referee at the full crowded Millennium Stadium, but still the American is subject to commission approval or change.

* * *

Kessler´s promoter Team Palle has announced, that undefeated Danish prospects, cruiserweight puncher Anders Hugger (8-0, 5 KOs) together with middleweight technician Thomas Povlsen (8-0), will join the undercard of the HBO-hyped Cardiff triple world title unification, which might turn out to be the biggest event ever in European boxing history.

Mikkel Kessler’s Kingdom
www.eastsideboxing.com

22.10.07 - By Matthew Hurley: Mikkel Kessler, 39-0 with 29 KOs from Denmark first thought about becoming a fighter at the age of thirteen when he saw heavyweight Brian Nielsen fight on television. As with most youngsters who dream of sports glory Kessler first latched onto an image and then convinced his parents to let him participate..

“My mother took me and two of my friends over to the C.I.K., a local boxing club,” he remembers. “My first impression of the gym was that it stank of sweat and the trainer was an old rough, bowlegged man. His name was Richard (Olsen) and he cursed a lot and smoked cigars. That day changed my life forever.”

The grouchy trainer took the young fighter under his wing and has been with him ever since. Kessler progressed rapidly after an amateur career of 44-3 and won his first title belt on November 29th, 2002 when he beat former WBC super middleweight champion Dingaan Thobela over twelve one-sided rounds for the IBA championship. He then dispensed of that belt and won the WBC International title in April of 2003 by knocking out Craig Cummings in the third round. But it was when his stable mate Mads Larsen had to pull out of a world title challenge against WBA champion Manny Siaca that Kessler truly arrived. He stepped in for his friend on short notice and won the title when Siaca failed to answer the bell for the eighth round.

Injuries to both hands and his back derailed his momentum for a while but in October of 2006 he knocked out Markus Beyer in the third round to take the WBC belt. It was then that Kessler began making noise about fighting WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe.

“Ever since I started my goal has been to be the greatest boxer in the world. I want to conquer all the big guys and the reigning champions so I can be undisputed. That’s why I never hesitated to call out Calzaghe after I knocked out Beyer. Once I beat Joe on November 3rd people will call the super middleweight (division) ‘Kessler’s Kingdom’.”

Kessler’s last fight came against rugged Librado Andrade. The “Viking Warrior” showed off a remarkable left jab and crisp straight punches in pounding out a twelve round decision victory over his iron chinned opponent. It’s those weapons, particularly the jab, which is one of the very best in boxing that Calzaghe will have to contend with, along with the Dane’s sturdy jaw.

“Andrade was so tough,” Kessler says. “I don’t think Calzaghe is as tough. His punches have speed but no real punching effort.” (Kessler is obviously alluding to Calzaghe’s habit of sometimes slapping with his punches).

As he continues his preparations for the biggest fight of his career Kessler maintains an even emotional keel. He never seems to get over anxious or betray any emotion other than confidence in his abilities.

“I’m already in great shape,” he insists. “I also don’t need to use (insults) or respond to all of Calzaghe’s aggressive words in the press. I know November 3rd will be the biggest challenge of my boxing career, but I don’t suspect Calzaghe to become my toughest opponent. I know how to beat him and I will become the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.”

In other words on November 3rd the “Viking Warrior” believes he will christen the super middleweight division as ‘Kessler’s Kingdom’.

I like both fighters quite a bit and will really enjoy this boxing match. I really think this could be the fight of the year, at the very least up there with Taylor Vs Pavlick. I'll be rooting for Joe, quite a few friends who put some money on Kessler.
I think Kessler will probably put Calzaghe on the Canvas a few times early. Calzaghe will survive, that is until the latter rounds where he will be TKO'd somewhere between the 7-9th round. If Calzaghe can survive some hard shots and early knock downs he will probably pickup a close decision.
I admit thats kind of a bland prediction but I just have that feeling. Either way should be a great fight,and I think we can all appreciate that regardless of how exciting the bout actually is. As boxing fans we can relish in the fact that we can get atleast one of the fights we asked for and deserve, a rarity in todays boxing climate.

I like both fighters quite a bit and will really enjoy this boxing match. I really think this could be the fight of the year, at the very least up there with Taylor Vs Pavlick. I'll be rooting for Joe, quite a few friends who put some money on Kessler.
I think Kessler will probably put Calzaghe on the Canvas a few times early. Calzaghe will survive, that is until the latter rounds where he will be TKO'd somewhere between the 7-9th round. However If Calzaghe can survive some hard shots and early knock downs he will probably pickup a close decision with crafty defensive boxing.
I admit thats kind of a bland prediction but I just have that feeling. Either way should be a great fight,and I think we can all appreciate that regardless of how exciting the bout actually is. As boxing fans we can relish in the fact that we can get atleast one of the fights we asked for and deserve, a rarity in todays boxing climate.

proof jimmy knows fuck all about boxing.

they didnt even show this up the local sports bar, I got dressed up and got a bunch of people down and they didnt even show it
what a load of shit

proof jimmy knows fuck all about boxing.


U pick Joe & Hatton etc based soley on the fact that they’re English and then turn around and say that.LOL.

Your reaching Chad,I was a boxing fan when u were still in shitty nappies.

Anyhow reguarding the fight, Joe surprised me and he pulled it out.I thought Kessler would be too much 4 him but I was wrong.
Joe’s the man and my hats off to him.