"Calzaghe extending challenge to Pavlik on his website."

[Shake]

Undefeated WBO Super Middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, boxing's current longest-reigning world champion, has congratulated new World Middleweight Champion Kelly “kingpin” Pavlik on his victory over Jermain Taylor in Atlantic City over the weekend.

Calzaghe stated, “Palvik showed the heart of a true champion, he clearly showed he can take and give a good punch. There is no doubt Palvik is the real middleweight champion. The true world champion met the true no. 1 contender, and that's the way it should be".

“Now that Palvik has conquered his division, I would like to invite him to Cardiff for my fight against Mikkel Kessler."

“If Palvik has true champion spirit similarly to Mikkel Kessler then perhaps the King of the Middle weights would be prepared to box me, the “soon to be” King of the Supermiddle weights”.

Come the 11th October Joe Calzaghe will be celebrating his official 10 year reign as WBO Super middle weight champion but his celebrations will be brief since he’ll be in serious training for his fight with Mikkel Kessler.

Many pundits have described the Calzaghe v Kessler fight as one of the biggest world title unification fights since Sugar Ray Leonard v Tommy Hearns in 1981 .

To date over 35,000 seats have been sold for the Calzaghe v Kessler fight which will also be broadcasted by HBO World Championship Boxing. Unfortunately the fight is not televised on British terrestrial television.

[kel]

just try and get past kessler first joe

[marauder1999]

Calling out pavlik before he beats kessler is his first mistake.

His second is showing the world again that everyone has to come to him to fight. Give me a break.

[LeedsLad]

Fighting Calzaghe is Wales would be a career high payday for Pavlik probably, as it would have been for Hopkins back when it was talked about. I dont see the big deal, your going to get more money fighting him in Wales, so why not?

[Shake]

I see Hopkins as less of a threat to Calzaghe than Pavlik -- Hopkins doesn't have the workrate to compete for a decision nor the pop to knock Calzaghe out.

[marauder1999]

Fighting Calzaghe is Wales would be a career high payday for Pavlik probably, as it would have been for Hopkins back when it was talked about. I dont see the big deal, your going to get more money fighting him in Wales, so why not?

Because thats the only place Calzaghe will fight. This isnt bow to Calzaghes turf ground almighty.

[boxfan99]

Calzaghe is just looking for a big payday against a lesser and smaller fighter once again like he was looking to do with Jermain Taylor. If Joe Cal beats Kessler he should man up and move up in weight and challenge Hopkins. A fighter who is actually on his level right now.

I agree, it is funny that Calzaghe always looks down in weight instead of up. He must really like beating up smaller men.:huh
Of course Calzaghe wants to fight in Cardiff.... again!

[bumdujour]

calFAGGI going after fighters from lighter weights again!!!

what a coward!!!!!!

[China_hand_Joe]

Calzaghe is just looking for a big payday against a lesser and smaller fighter once again like he was looking to do with Jermain Taylor. If Joe Cal beats Kessler he should man up and move up in weight and challenge Hopkins. A fighter who is actually on his level right now.

Hopkins, Pavlik and just about everyone else is an easy payday for Calzaghe. Calzaghe, too good for his own good.

Dawson and Kessler are the only existing challenges.

[Caliboxing]

Calzaghe shouldn't be calling out fighters from smaller divisions and it's about time he came to the US to show us what he can really do.

[China_hand_Joe]

Calzaghe shouldn't be calling out fighters from smaller divisions and it's about time he came to the US to show us what he can really do.

Pavlik is apparrently the best you have.

[Caliboxing]

Calzahge has a lot of fans in the US and it's about time he give a fight here. Hopkins wants to fight him. We wanna see that fight.

[China_hand_Joe]

Hopkins is an easy payday, but why not I guess.

[warrior85]

calzaghe doesnt have to fight in the states,nobody says mayweather or hopkins or pavlik or any1 has to fight outside the states,as long as its in the ring who gives a fuck where its held,calzaghe beats hopkins&pavlik either way.

[David UK]

Calzahge has a lot of fans in the US and it's about time he give a fight here. Hopkins wants to fight him. We wanna see that fight.

Hopkins had his chance to fight Calzaghe but pussied out before it was signed but AFTER it was verbally agreed

[boxfan99]

Bottom line: If Calzaghe was American he'd be a superstar; a boxer is a boxer and you guys (americans i'm looking at) need to respect that.

There's no difference between him wanting to fight in his backyard and Yanks wanting to fight in theirs - it's all good. We as FANS should just respect who we like for what they are.

Here's another thought: Regardless of whether Calzaghe is 'accepted' by America the whole world wants to see him lose / exposed / proved which in itself proves one thing - he is noticed! Every time you talk about how 'poor' 'or 'protected' he is you're admitting you're curious to see just how good he really is.....you're indirectly admitting you think he's good!


Taylor was not respected for fighting smaller opponents and neitner is Calzaghe. But you probably have an excuse for that too, right?

[Boro chris]

I agree, it is funny that Calzaghe always looks down in weight instead of up. He must really like beating up smaller men.:huh
Of course Calzaghe wants to fight in Cardiff.... again!

Pavlik would make a pretty big SM imo.

[Rollo]

This is just another sign which shows that Calzaghe is loosing focus. He will not beat Kessler...

[boxfan99]

Pavlik would make a pretty big SM imo.

Yep, but haven't Calzaghe talked about moving up in weight for ages? Looks like all the guy does is talk. Before Pavlik he tried to make Taylor come to Cardiff.:roll: Go up in weight or shut up!!!

[Boro chris]

Yep, but haven't Calzaghe talked about moving up in weight for ages? Looks like all the guy does is talk. Before Pavlik he tried to make Taylor come to Cardiff.:roll: Go up in weight or shut up!!!

Well he's taking on a Kessler who's by far the biggest threat to him from 160-175lbs. I actually believe that Kessler will win this on a narrow ud.

[boxfan99]

Well he's taking on a Kessler who's by far the biggest threat to him from 160-175lbs. I actually believe that Kessler will win this on a narrow ud.

I hope so, because then SMW will have a champ who does what he can to fight the best with out a lot of BS excuses.

[Knob McDude]

I'm an American, and not a fan of Calzaghe at all. (Although I have mad respect for his ability)

In saying that, I give him major props for fighting Lacy (yes, it was a blowout, but at the time everybody thought he was a big threat to Joe), and now he is fighting his perceived biggest threat again.

I know Joe's competition has been balls at times, but in the last 2 years he has fought two major threats to his throne. That is on par for what a champion should do, and although it is late in his career, I am glad he is finally doing it.

I don't know why people are hating on him for calling out Kelly. Yes, his focus should be 100 percent on Kessler, and I'm sure it is. On the other hand, he is confident that he will win, and is trying to lay the ground work for another career defining fight, against a young stud who has the style to give him problems.

As far as him wanting to fight on his home turf, what's the big deal? If he can make more money at home, why would he fly across the pond?

I agree the United States is the mecca of boxing, but for Calzaghe it makes no sense. He isn't very well known here (by your average fan), and he isn't a youngster trying to establish himself for big future pay dates.

He already makes a ton of money, in a country he is very well known. Most of the time he can offer American fighters more money to travel to him, then the other way around.

True boxing fans, whether they like him or not, should respect the fact he is a great fighter. Him fighting on American soil, at this stage of his career, is pointless, unless justified by a much bigger payday then he can get at home.

Just my uneducated two cents.

[K2ray]

I actually think Pavlik can and will offer Calzaghe more money now that he's onto a good thing with HBO...Calzaghe has to make his next fight (win or lose) in the states, end of.

[Boro chris]

I'm an American, and not a fan of Calzaghe at all. (Although I have mad respect for his ability)

In saying that, I give him major props for fighting Lacy (yes, it was a blowout, but at the time everybody thought he was a big threat to Joe), and now he is fighting his perceived biggest threat again.

I know Joe's competition has been balls at times, but in the last 2 years he has fought two major threats to his throne. That is on par for what a champion should do, and although it is late in his career, I am glad he is finally doing it.

I don't know why people are hating on him for calling out Kelly. Yes, his focus should be 100 percent on Kessler, and I'm sure it is. On the other hand, he is confident that he will win, and is trying to lay the ground work for another career defining fight, against a young stud who has the style to give him problems.

As far as him wanting to fight on his home turf, what's the big deal? If he can make more money at home, why would he fly across the pond?

I agree the United States is the mecca of boxing, but for Calzaghe it makes no sense. He isn't very well known here (by your average fan), and he isn't a youngster trying to establish himself for big future pay dates.

He already makes a ton of money, in a country he is very well known. Most of the time he can offer American fighters more money to travel to him, then the other way around.

True boxing fans, whether they like him or not, should respect the fact he is a great fighter. Him fighting on American soil, at this stage of his career, is pointless, unless justified by a much bigger payday then he can get at home.

Just my uneducated two cents.

I agree with most of what you say but Calzghe does seem to have a knack in winding people up, wether they're rivals or just posters on a forum like this one. In the past his attitude has been poor, but as you say in the last 18 months he's taken on the two best super middles out there. As far as I'm concerned thats awnsering his critics.

[mattress]

Well said Knob McDude, well said.

[marauder1999]

I agree with most of what you say but Calzghe does seem to have a knack in winding people up, wether they're rivals or just posters on a forum like this one. In the past his attitude has been poor, but as you say in the last 18 months he's taken on the two best super middles out there. As far as I'm concerned thats awnsering his critics.

So does that make pavlik a Mega-Superstar because he has taken on the 2 top middlewieghts of the world and beat them both-(Miranda-Taylor) in the last 8 months? Thats answering critics--not calzaghe fighting the top 2 challengers in almost 2 years!!

[Knob McDude]

So does that make pavlik a Mega-Superstar because he has taken on the 2 top middlewieghts of the world and beat them both-(Miranda-Taylor) in the last 8 months? Thats answering critics--not calzaghe fighting the top 2 challengers in almost 2 years!!

Both accomplishments are impressive.

Pavlik is the hungrier fighter, no doubt.

Let's see if his level of competition remains the same, now that he is champ.

I have a feeling it will, he reminds me of a throwback fighter, and I love that about him.

It's ok to respect what Pavlik has done, and still give Joe props too.

Especially considering that Joe could fight my wife, and still sell out arenas in England.

On the other hand, Pavlik had to fight good fighters, in order to get recognized and paid.

To me, it's comparing apples and oranges.

[THN]

Figth Kessler first, then we can discus who and where!

[Guru_Too_You]

I need both hands to count how many times Calzaghe has called out fighters from the lower weight classes and I don't need any fingers to count how many times he's called out some one from LHW.

I can see doing it a few times, but this is ridiculous.

[boxfan99]

kessler vs pavlik in denmark next year :rofl

No, Kessler is not afraid of going to USA, he has fought there before.:p

[THN]

kessler vs pavlik in denmark next year :rofl
Why not:hey

[Boro chris]

So does that make pavlik a Mega-Superstar because he has taken on the 2 top middlewieghts of the world and beat them both-(Miranda-Taylor) in the last 8 months? Thats answering critics--not calzaghe fighting the top 2 challengers in almost 2 years!!

I wasn't aware it was a race!
Pavlik has shown a comendable attitude and I hope he keeps it up. Time will tell. But taking on Kessler is a taller order than Taylor or Miranda. As I said earlier I think Kessler has a slight edge over Joe at the moment.

[marauder1999]

Both accomplishments are impressive.

Pavlik is the hungrier fighter, no doubt.

Let's see if his level of competition remains the same, now that he is champ.

I have a feeling it will, he reminds me of a throwback fighter, and I love that about him.

It's ok to respect what Pavlik has done, and still give Joe props too.

Especially considering that Joe could fight my wife, and still sell out arenas in England.

On the other hand, Pavlik had to fight good fighters, in order to get recognized and paid.

To me, it's comparing apples and oranges.

Apples and Oranges--they are 2 fighters though--I just dont like the call outs throughout Calzaghes 10 year triumphant as champ on smaller undersized opponents. It does get to become a, "what the hell is up with that" :-( :huh kind of expression after awhile.