When did you get caught in the hype?

[DonPrestige]

I was just thinking about the Calzaghe-Kessler fight and I remembered back to the Lacy fight. I hadn't even seen Lacy fight except for a few highlights of him knocking guys out. Yet for some reason I saw the physiques, heard the hype and believed he was actually an elite boxer or that he could whoop Calzaghe only to see the biggest battering I've seen in a ring live.

Looking back I'm dissapointed in myself but I learned a valuable lesson, one that hadnt been learned years before with Naseem Hamed (even though I had seen him fight and I was young at the time.). Do your research.

Has anybody else been caught up in the hype?

[David B]

There was no hype.
Lacy IS an elite level competitor but Calzaghe simply annihilated him and showed why he is one of the very best fighters in the world.
Remember,afterwards Lacy defeated Tsypko with a shoulder injury....that's no hype...that's having talent and character.

[DonPrestige]

There was no hype.
Lacy IS an elite level competitor but Calzaghe simply annihilated him and showed why he is one of the very best fighters in the world.
Remember,afterwards Lacy defeated Tsypko with a shoulder injury....that's no hype...that's having talent and character.#


OK but surely elite would mean you are one of the best fighters in the world.

[David B]

Lacy is not wasn't/ isn't elite!

You become elite when you beat elite and Lacy had beaten nobody that was near that level.

I even said when I picked Lacy to win that he was nowhere near a great fighter!

Lacy is a world-class fighter with tons of heart.
The way he destroyed his opponents was frightening and he showed big balls to come to Wales for fighting Calzaghe.
No other fighter around supermiddle will handle Lacy like Calzaghe did.

[See Me Flow]

Lacy is a world-class fighter with tons of heart.
The way he destroyed his opponents was frightening and he showed big balls to come to Wales for fighting Calzaghe.
No other fighter around supermiddle will handle Lacy like Calzaghe did.

OK then. If Calzaghe avoids Kessler then why should he stick around at SMW? One loaf of bread with butter on it and Calzaghe is a full fledge Lt. Heavy. This is where the real competition is for Calzaghe isn't it?

[deram]

Kessler would handle Lacy at least as well as Calzaghe did and probably stop him.

[David B]

OK then. If Calzaghe avoids Kessler then why should he stick around at SMW? One loaf of bread with butter on it and Calzaghe is a full fledge Lt. Heavy. This is where the real competition is for Calzaghe isn't it?

i could be wrong,but hasn't Hopkins refused several offers from Calzaghe? He is the world light-heavy champ.

[See Me Flow]

i could be wrong,but hasn't Hopkins refused several offers from Calzaghe? He is the world light-heavy champ.

Please answer my question first then I will address Hopkins.

[David B]

Please answer my question first then I will address Hopkins.

He doesn't avoid Kessler.It makes two to make a fight.

[See Me Flow]

He doesn't avoid Kessler.It makes two to make a fight.

It appears the burden of proof is against Calzaghe at the moment.

[VIP]

I'll admit I was on the Tito train during his comeback, he put on a devastating display of power punching against Mayorga. And against a guy like Winky who would be standing in front of him, I believed that Tito could get some through and hurt Winky.

I underestimated Winky but also feel that Trinidad put in a very poor and non-resistant performance.

[David B]

It appears the burden of proof is against Calzaghe at the moment.

I find it hard to believe that a fighter who has proven to be one of the very best and has called out Hopkins numerous times would be afraid to fight Kessler.Than there is burden of proof against Hopkins for a very long time.

[Bigcat]

I thought that Oliver McCall would repeat his stoppage win over Lennox in their rematch in 97..

I must have had shite in my eye........

[Cruiser1]

There was no shame in picking Lacy at the time as alot of top notch boxing writers did the same. I really thought it would be Joe's last stand so I picked Joe to give a good effort before being stopped late by the imposing Lacy. Sometimes we all get caught up in the hype because we're looking for a new superstar. As for what happened, Calzaghe demoralized Lacy and sent his career into Mike Tyson's name for limbo, Bolivian.

[See Me Flow]

I find it hard to believe that a fighter who has proven to be one of the very best and has called out Hopkins numerous times would be afraid to fight Kessler.Than there is burden of proof against Hopkins for a very long time.

David, when I used the phrase burden of proof I was referring to Calzaghe's inability to come to terms with Kessler. There's more evidence on behalf of Kesslers team that says he wants this fight more than Calzaghe does.

As far as Hops is concerned whatever reasons Hops and Calzaghe didn't come to fruition doesn't negate why Calzaghe hasn't stepped up to Lt. Hvy since he's 'cleaned out' the SMW division with the exception of Kessler.

[Bigcat]

I thought that Bruno had some kind of shot at beating Tyson in thier second fight.........

I must have been travelling through the fucking twilight zone......

[IntentionalButt]

Bunch of dumb cunts are on the same train with Kessler - when he gets his ass kicked, I wonder if they'll stick around or do a Lacy fan situation and vanish?
Losing to Joe won't nullify the Beyer and Andrade fights.

[dangerousity]

I saw Lacy and thought he was a slow plodder with a punch. Anyone who can box with a chin would have beaten him.

I would say probably the Hatton hype, that was after he beat Tsyzu. But Hatton is really no hype so cant count that.

[See Me Flow]

I saw Lacy and thought he was a slow plodder with a punch. Anyone who can box with a chin would have beaten him.

Not trying to brag but I said this after Lacy fought Omar Sheika. However I initially pick Lacy over Calzaghe. :D

[David B]

David, when I used the phrase burden of proof I was referring to Calzaghe's inability to come to terms with Kessler. There's more evidence on behalf of Kesslers team that says he wants this fight more than Calzaghe does.

As far as Hops is concerned whatever reasons Hops and Calzaghe didn't come to fruition doesn't negate why Calzaghe hasn't stepped up to Lt. Hvy since he's 'cleaned out' the SMW division with the exception of Kessler.

interesting point of view,so you think there are some light-heavies who could present a real challenge for him.Would you favour him against Tarver and Johnson?

[joe33]

Im begining to get caught in the hype with amir khan and david hayes over here,i reckon both are gonna be really top guys,and hayes is staring to prove he is something good,khan needs more work,and maybe fight few more guys with decent power and KO records,but he looks good to me.
Before that it was sadly frank bruno when he took on tyson,i remember me and about a dozen guys watching it in a hall set up for the fight,the place was packed,and we all really believed big frank could do it,sadly of course it was not to be,but at least he tried in the first fight,unlike the rematch which was frankly(LOL) a disaster for him and the uk.

[See Me Flow]

interesting point of view,so you think there are some light-heavies who could present a real challenge for him.Would you favour him against Tarver and Johnson?

Not many. But the top 5 Lt. Heavies could possibly pose the toughest test for Calzaghe.

* Hops

* Erdei

* Adamek

* Dawson

I have to see Tarver fight a couple more times before I can make that determination.

[Bigcat]

Both Khan and Haye could really be something especially Khan.

Haye should stay at heavyweight, he is making a vital error in trying to shed solid muscle to make 190 pounds again, when he lookes great as a natural heavyweight, he may lose a lot of strength in losing the mass.. considering he is going to try to get back up to heavyweight once he is a cruiserweight champion..

If Haye is succesful there is no reason that he can't do what Audley couldn't as a top pro heavy.. He is an exciting young gun, the states will love his action packed style..

[dangerousity]

Not trying to brag but I said this after Lacy fought Omar Sheika. However I initially pick Lacy over Calzaghe. :D

I only saw 2 fights of Lacy before Calzaghe, one was against Pemberton. I felt that Pemberton who was a total bum and was dealt with in the same fashion as Manfredo had far too much success with Lacy. He got KO in the 2nd or 3rd round but prior to that, Lacy was getting hit too easily and was moving like a plodder trying to get to him. Lucky for Lacy, Pemberton was shot with no chin.

[See Me Flow]

Both Khan and Haye could really be something especially Khan.

BC, what weight is Haye walking around at the moment. One of the avatar pictures Haye looks like he's a good 220.

[Vantage_West]

Lacy is not wasn't/ isn't elite!

You become elite when you beat elite and Lacy had beaten nobody that was near that level.

I even said when I picked Lacy to win that he was nowhere near a great fighter!he was a damn good fighter hit very hard had good skills and had done stuff the best of the division couldnt do.

outpointed the alian grant
knocked out lightheavy wiggins
knocked out syd vanderpool outpointed glen johnson and fought bernard hopkins
went the distance with omar shieka in a slugfest
knocked out the unknockoutable robin reid
and had finished off one time prospect pemberton

damn good credentials

[deram]

David, when I used the phrase burden of proof I was referring to Calzaghe's inability to come to terms with Kessler. There's more evidence on behalf of Kesslers team that says he wants this fight more than Calzaghe does.

As far as Hops is concerned whatever reasons Hops and Calzaghe didn't come to fruition doesn't negate why Calzaghe hasn't stepped up to Lt. Hvy since he's 'cleaned out' the SMW division with the exception of Kessler.

Hang on... slow down.. say what?

Calzaghe has... cleaned out?

LOL?

In the last couple of years Kessler has met the Ring no. 3 (Mundine), no. 4 (Beyer), no. 5 (Siaca) and recently the then no. 5 (Andrade). Meanwhile Calzaghe has been meeting Ashira, Lacy, Bika and Manfredo. With the exception of Lacy (then Ring no. 3) if Calzaghe has been 'cleaning up' it is not in the top contender ranks.

But ok.. at least it IS cleaned out (although it is going overboard crediting Calzaghe with doing it) and only Kessler and Calzaghe are left. Some new young names are coming up, but of the established fighters only those two are left standing.

[See Me Flow]

Hang on... slow down.. say what?

Calzaghe has... cleaned out?

LOL?


'Cleaned out' in single quotation, Dream. I'm stating what others have said although Calzaghe has yet to fight Kessler.

In the last couple of years Kessler has met the Ring no. 3 (Mundine), no. 4 (Beyer), no. 5 (Siaca) and recently the then no. 5 (Andrade). Meanwhile Calzaghe has been meeting Ashira, Lacy, Bika and Manfredo. With the exception of Lacy (then Ring no. 3) if Calzaghe has been 'cleaning up' it is not in the top contender ranks.

I know this. Refer to my previous statement.


But ok.. at least it IS cleaned out (although it is going overboard crediting Calzaghe with doing it) and only Kessler and Calzaghe are left. Some new young names are coming up, but of the established fighters only those two are left standing.


But why wait for the new, younger fighters when the real challenge for Calzaghe is at Lt Hvy? If Calzaghe doesn't fight Kessler who most perceive is the toughest challenge for him at SMW why linger around for up and coming fighters unless Calzaghe chooses to take the low road to retirement?

[dangerousity]

he was a damn good fighter hit very hard had good skills and had done stuff the best of the division couldnt do.

outpointed the alian grant
knocked out lightheavy wiggins
knocked out syd vanderpool outpointed glen johnson and fought bernard hopkins
went the distance with omar shieka in a slugfest
knocked out the unknockoutable robin reid
and had finished off one time prospect pemberton

damn good credentials

That doesnt make you elite. Fact that you mention Pemberton as one of the presequites for making him elite is a joke...do you remember Manfredo knocking the same guy out?

People question if Hatton is elite...in my mind he is definetly elite. The guy is undisputed champ of his division and he has HOF'mers on his resume as well as a few titlists. Lacy is in the ranks of Maussa and Harris...their not elite. Contenders more like.

[deram]

'Cleaned out' in single quotation, Dream. I'm stating what others have said although Calzaghe has yet to fight Kessler.



I know this. Refer to my previous statement.



But why wait for the new, younger fighters when the real challenge for Calzaghe is at Lt Hvy? If Calzaghe doesn't fight Kessler who most perceive is the toughest challenge for him at SMW why linger around for up and coming fighters unless Calzaghe chooses to take the low road to retirement?

Calzaghe should not 'wait' for the younger guys. I am no way suggesting that. However, with two unusually clear top fighters in the division it will look VERY bad if Calzaghe once again does not fight the other guy.

LHW comes a distant second - but granted - still ahead of waiting for the young guns to blossom. At LHW there is imo. pretty much only two fights that people will not look down on in hindsight. That is Dawson or the winner of Winky-Hopkins. Pretty much everyone else is worse than staying at SMW accumulating defenses. After all Calzaghe will have to give up his "longest reigning champ in boxing" if he moves up.

Either way - Kessler is an absolute must for Calzaghe. After that he can think about LHW.

[See Me Flow]

Calzaghe should not 'wait' for the younger guys. I am no way suggesting that. However, with two unusually clear top fighters in the division it will look VERY bad if Calzaghe once again does not fight the other guy.

LHW comes a distant second - but granted - still ahead of waiting for the young guns to blossom. At LHW there is imo. pretty much only two fights that people will not look down on in hindsight. That is Dawson or the winner of Winky-Hopkins. Pretty much everyone else is worse than staying at SMW accumulating defenses. After all Calzaghe will have to give up his "longest reigning champ in boxing" if he moves up.

Either way - Kessler is an absolute must for Calzaghe. After that he can think about LHW.

I agree. No argument here.

[BigReg]

Judah and Lacy really burned me. I told anyone that would listen that Lacy was a monster. I looked like a total ass after Calzaghe pummeled him. Judah burned me numerous times. I really hyped him up before the Tszyu fight. Not only did he lose but he also disgraced himself by going after the ref., but I still defended him. Then he lost to Spinks and I said it should've been a draw. Then he lost Baldomir, and I said he just wasn't focused. After the Floyd fight, there were no more excuses. Unlike his other losses, he suffered a sustained beating in this fight. And once again he disgraced himself. When he fought Cotto, I still rooted for him but I knew he didn't have the mental fortitude to win the fight.

[koko of phil]

Lacy on Calzaghe. A huge mistake by some.

[IntentionalButt]

Judah and Lacy really burned me. I told anyone that would listen that Lacy was a monster. I looked like a total ass after Calzaghe pummeled him. Judah burned me numerous times. I really hyped him up before the Tszyu fight. Not only did he lose but he also disgraced himself by going after the ref., but I still defended him. Then he lost to Spinks and I said it should've been a draw. Then he lost Baldomir, and I said he just wasn't focused. After the Floyd fight, there were no more excuses. Unlike his other losses, he suffered a sustained beating in this fight. And once again he disgraced himself. When he fought Cotto, I still rooted for him but I knew he didn't have the mental fortitude to win the fight.
Judah doesn't really apply. Could, I guess, if you interpret hype to mean predicting all sorts of accomplishments - which I don't. Hype, IMO, means the premature overrating of someone's talent. Judah lived up to his, but was a disappointment in that he failed to accomplish all that he could have.