Calzaghe to face 'Contender'

[kinboshi]

Calzaghe is going to be (probably) fighting Manfredo Jr in his next defence.

http://www.manfredojr.com/home.html

I guess it'll certainly give Calzaghe more exposure 'States-side', but I can't see it being much of a contest.

Or am I doing Manfredo a disservice?

[Pilf]

For me this is an easy fight also.
I saw some of this series on TV but got bored of watching it due to the awful editting of the fights that were shown (on a 12 minute fight why not show the whole thing?? and why must we add sound effects?)
I do however recall Manfredo being a boxer with a lot of heart and not a small amount of ability.
Calzaghe is one of the best around at any weight though and unless the other guy has toughened up a LOT since I saw the show it's difficult to imagine the fight lasting. (Maybe Manfredo can take it to points if Calzaghe breaks his hand early and has to fight 1 handed like so often seems to be the case)

[The Baron]

It's very hard to tell from the show alone.

Almost every fight was one guy pounding the other for a round and a half (due to the editing) followed by the other guy "coming back" also due to the editing. In every fight someone looked like Rocky.

Technically he wasn't bad though.

[boldie]

It's very hard to tell from the show alone.

Almost every fight was one guy pounding the other for a round and a half (due to the editing) followed by the other guy "coming back" also due to the editing. In every fight someone looked like Rocky.

Technically he wasn't bad though.

to be fair to the show, the boxers they had were actually quite decent. All proven amateur fighters. They only did show poor fights though and that's what made them look "average". Having said that I doubt Manfredo would have the guns to stop Calzaghe and I don't think it will do Calzaghe any good as most people (including stateside) will see it as an easy fight and a publicity stunt for that's what it is. The guy only fought 2 kids in Providence in 2006 and is going to get destroyed by Calzaghe.

[kinboshi]

Even if he was an established pro with 20 fights under his belt, he'd be a big underdog to Calzaghe - who is truly world class.

I think if Calzaghe broke his hand, he'd still stop this fella with the other one. 

Also wondering, how many times has Manfredo gone 12 rounds?

[boldie]

Even if he was an established pro with 20 fights under his belt, he'd be a big underdog to Calzaghe - who is truly world class.

I think if Calzaghe broke his hand, he'd still stop this fella with the other one. 

Also wondering, how many times has Manfredo gone 12 rounds?

longest fight he ever fought was a 7'th round KO I think. you're right..Calzaghe will destroy him. But I don't necessarily think it's a good fight for Calzaghe to pick..surely they must have better boxers stade side?

[kinboshi]

Even if he was an established pro with 20 fights under his belt, he'd be a big underdog to Calzaghe - who is truly world class.

I think if Calzaghe broke his hand, he'd still stop this fella with the other one. 

Also wondering, how many times has Manfredo gone 12 rounds?

longest fight he ever fought was a 7'th round KO I think. you're right..Calzaghe will destroy him. But I don't necessarily think it's a good fight for Calzaghe to pick..surely they must have better boxers stade side?

There are some, but not many.

Calzaghe can benefit from this:

1.  Money.  I bet there's a decent purse on this due to the TV it will attract over there.
2.  Publicity.  Although it won't silence the critics, the mainstream boxing fans and those that watched 'Contender' will become very aware of Calazghe.
3.  As a 'stepping stone' - if he does a job on Manfredo (which I'm confident he will), then at least there'll be subsequent fights for him in the States.

Of course, if he doesn't shine then it could go against him.  But I'm confident he'll give Manfredo a good hiding.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6175236.stm

3 March is the date - Cardiff the venue.

[kinboshi]

Oh, and this should play in Calzaghe's hands;

"The Rhode Islander describes himself as a boxer who "likes to bang and mix it up" and believes his hunger for a world title will prove decisive."

If he wants to stand toe-to-toe with Joe then I can't see him lasting very long at all.

[Bazzaboy]

Pointless mismatch.  Waste of time for a guy who is not getting any younger.

[lvlarc_uk]

Manfredo is actually a decent fighter. He's improved since the contender under new trainer Freddie Roach (Manny Pacquiao's trainer) and has grown into 168 very nicely. One of his losses coming off the contender to Sergio Mora was a robbery but since then has beaten 2 decent top 25 guys, Pemberton & Spina, both by very impressive 3rd round stoppage.

The only reason Calzaghe is fighting Manfredo is because of the extra exposure he can get on HBO and the Bika fight was dirty.

Frank Warren said after Bika there would be a "mega fight" well he lied. Hopefully he sticks to his word this time and a fight with middleweight champ Taylor is next up, then fight Mikkel Kessler at Super middle to be the first fighter in history to unify all 4 major titles at 168. (tho Joe just ditched the IBF)

[kinboshi]

Manfredo is actually a decent fighter. He's improved since the contender under new trainer Freddie Roach (Manny Pacquiao's trainer) and has grown into 168 very nicely. One of his losses coming off the contender to Sergio Mora was a robbery but since then has beaten 2 decent top 25 guys, Pemberton & Spina, both by very impressive 3rd round stoppage.

I don't disagree.  He's a decent fighter, and possibly eventually he'll be able to fight at a world class level. However, he's not ready yet, and Calzaghe isn't just a fighter at the World class level - he has few peers.

The only reason Calzaghe is fighting Manfredo is because of the extra exposure he can get on HBO and the Bika fight was dirty.

That, and the money.  Calzaghe's earnt the right to fight who he wants - and hopefully the exposure will make sure he gets the biggest fights - and the money that goes with them.

Frank Warren said after Bika there would be a "mega fight" well he lied.

Warren says that about every fight - it's his job!  That fight was just a mess really.

Hopefully he sticks to his word this time and a fight with middleweight champ Taylor is next up, then fight Mikkel Kessler at Super middle to be the first fighter in history to unify all 4 major titles at 168. (tho Joe just ditched the IBF)

They're the fights we all want to see.  Again, I think Calzaghe will win them - but the hardest fight might be outside the ring and ensuring they actually happen.

[BrumBilly]

I haven't seen Manfredo fight since The Contender. My brother reckons he's improved but nowhere near enough for this and I reckon Calzage will find him very easy to hit. I always got the impression Manfredo lacked mobility. He'll be a very easy target for Calzage to slap around.

[lvlarc_uk]

Under trainer Freddie Roach,Manfredo has come on leaps and bounds, he's not the same fighter we saw in the contender a few years back.  He's been morphed into an old school fighter and I would say yes he has looked world class in his last 3 fights, however he will never be ready for Calzaghe as if the best of Joe turns up, he will outclass Manfredo with ease. If Warren doesn't follow this fight up with a fight with Taylor or Kessler I will be pissed. I hope Joe leaves Warren too like Hatton did.