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I'd back Calzaghe to win it early (in fact I have) as I think he's going to be to classy and too strong for Manfredo.

Also, back Maccarinelli to win early.  Different gravy to his opponent.

(Maccarinelli fight is on soon on ITV4 by the way)

I expect Calzaghe to rip Manfredo apart..but Manfredo is a pretty tought guy..he won't go down without giving it his all. Calzaghe in 6.

I think it also depends on how Manfredo comes out.  If he thinks he can stand in there with Calzaghe and trade - then he's in for a shock.  If he realises that he's stepping up massively, then he might be a bit more cagey - so it could go a few more rounds.

Still, this is boxing.  Anything can happen.

Maccarinelli just blew the other fella away in a few minutes. 

Poor match-making though - shouldn't have been in the same ring with Maccarinelli.

that seems to be the way things are done these days though..a shame as it ruins boxing.

Standard Frank Warren production.  Three of his top stars fighting tomato cans.  Joke.

Interesting thought there.  Enzo Calzaghe mentioned that Maccarinelli could step up to heavyweight sometime not too far down the line.

He's certainly got the frame to carry some extra weight - and he certainly has the skills and potentially the power to compete at the higher weight.  Also, with the dearth of talent on the world heavyweight scene - is this an opportunity too good for him to miss out on?

Same goes for David Haye - maybe he too is planning on moving up to heavyweight?

:dontask:

I think in time both will step up for financial reasons as much as anything else.  Id also like to see both of them in the ring at the same time...but its probably another potentially top class domestic matchup that will never happen.  If they do meet then I'll be hoping for a juicy price on Macarinelli.

Well, the money they can earn at heavyweight will dwarf what they can earn at cruiser - so I agree with you there.

Haye is a decent fighter, but I think Maccarinelli has the potential to be outstanding.  Funnily enough though, the chances of them fighting each other might be increased if they are both at heavyweight.  The money involved, and the interest generated will be the driving force.


Anyway, back to tonight.  Khan up next.

I agree Macca has improved a LOT in the past 18months or so.  I first saw him when Bruce Scott put him on his back in round 1 and he got up and KO'd him, but I didn't think he was anything more than a big puncher however since then he has come on leaps and bounds technically.  I like Haye too but there are still doubts about his stamina and chin imo.

As for the Khan fight, it is a step up in class from his previous domestic opponents (difficult to draw a comparison between the euro opponents he fought recently) but it will still be no contest.

looking forward to tonight but I'm having to watch it later.

I agree with that.  He's a very competent fighter now, and I truly believe he's going to be able to mix it at world class.  Hopefully, at heavyweight.

Khan has to have these 'learning' fights.  But he's obviously a class above these fighters.  He can only beat what's in front of him.  He's also getting bigger and stronger.  Becoming a man now.  Hopefully lots of years ahead of him at the top of the game.

The thing is I don't think he is learning anything against such weak opponents.  When you have a special talent which Khan obviously is then I think he can be fast-tracked a little.  I'm not saying he should be fighting at world level or anything like that but he should be up against some top10 ranked British fighters, where he will be tested.  I thought his interview was quite telling there when he said I know how good I am, my trainer knows how good I am but its Frank Warren who makes the fights.

Haye was on soccer am this morning............confirmed his next fight will be at heavyweight

v's Tomasz Bonin who Audley beat a couple of years ago.  Think its only a temprary move up though

Same for Khan as for Maccarinelli.  Opponent not good enough, but he did the job.

NEXT!

Leonard spoke highly of Manfredo so heres hoping he can take Calzaghe a few rounds.  At the very least he should at least throw a few punches..something which was beyond Mr Bull.

Slightly premature stoppage, but Manfredo wasn't throwing anything back.  If he wanted to continue, Manfredo needed to throw a punch, or touch down and take a count.

Very one-sided.

I think the ref pulled the trigger a little soon there. None of the those punches in that final flurry were really hurting Manfredo - it was simply the speed they were coming at him meant he couldn't stand up straight to throw a few back. But he was in no danger of going down and wasn't taking damage.

From outside it's easier to say.

Other than the fighter themselves, the only person who can defend a fighter who's taking punishment is the referee.

I agree that it was premature, but it would have been the same result - just 30 seconds or so later.

He should have done it a round earlier though!! 

Even Joe admitted it was a bit early, but Manfredo had forgotten you usually need to throw punches in a fight to win.

No wonder his nose looks like that.

Very premature stoppage but it made no real difference as Manfredo was way out of his depth.  Heres hoping Warren delivers Kessler or Taylor for a "proper" fight.

Calzaghe v Taylor in Vegas?  That'd be a good one to go and see.  Fancy a trip out there.  Be even better if there are a few other British fighters on the undercard as well.

I was going to post before the fight on how bad Terry Oconnor is as a referee. I must have witnessed him ref more than 50 fights including dinner show boxing and have never saw him have a good night. The man is diabolical as a referee.

Perhaps a little early , but the end result was obvious .  Manfredo is a true gentleman and he showed his class in the interview after the fight.  Joe was awesome as usual

Would definetly be worth the trip.  For me Calzaghe needs that fight to cement himself as one of the all-time greats.  I think he will beat Taylor