Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Joe Calzaghe On Manny Pacquiao, David Haye &...., By Joe Calzaghe, southwalesargus.co.uk

[Glax0r]

JOE CALZAGHE SAYS: Manny and Haye leading the way

3:30pm Friday 20th November 2009

By Joe Calzaghe, southwalesargus.co.uk

SO much is going on in the world of boxing at the moment. There are so many talking points, it is going to be difficult to fit everything into this column, so I had better crack on!

Firstly, I would like to wish a massive thanks to everyone who is coming to our show in Newport tonight, I am looking forward to it and hopefully people will enjoy it and be entertained.

I can’t wait to see Tony Doherty step back into the ring, he’s worked unbelievably hard to get back into shape and with the talent that he has, he is still young enough and capable enough to reach the top of the tree.

There is also so much Welsh talent on the undercard with Hari Miles, trained by my dad Enzo, starting to look like the real deal and leading the charge.

Two of Gary Lockett’s fighters, Ryan and Jeff Evans, are said to be top prospects as well and I often hear good things about the St Joseph’s stable, with two of their fighters, Justyn Hugh and Lee Churcher, also in action.

One fighter who isn’t on the bill is former world champion Gavin Rees, but we’re all pleased for ‘The Rock’ that he isn’t because he’s preparing to be on the next Prizefighter show.

Gavin is a world class fighter who has been starved of exposure since losing his title.

Obviously it’s a tough time for boxing with a lack of television interest, so it’s great that Gavin has a chance to make a name for himself all over again.

He is training fantastically well and I think that the format suits him because of his relentless style of boxing.

It’s going to be very hard for anyway to outwork Gavin over three rounds, or to land more punches, and I think that he has proved in his career that he has a good chin. In my opinion it all bodes well for him.

I haven’t had an opportunity yet to speak about either of the super fights that took place recently – David Haye against Nikolai Valuev and Manny Pacquiao’s clash with Miguel Cotto.

Let’s not pretend that Haye versus Valuev was a good fight because it wasn’t. It was a dour fight with very little action to speak of.

However, I don’t think you can really blame Haye for that. Valuev is absolutely awful, a poor fighter and a very poor champion.

Haye had a game plan and, I have to admit, watching it on television I felt it was too big a risk to throw so few shots, because as I know from experience, you don’t really want to leave it up to the judges in Germany.

However, I do think he won the fight and all credit to him, it’s an absolutely brilliant achievement for Haye and for British boxing in general, it does the world of good.

Not only that, but the whole heavyweight division will improve now and hats off to Haye for picking John Ruiz as his first opponent, the guy is made for his style and he’ll knock him out pretty convincingly.

Obviously then Haye will go after one of the Klitschko brothers and that’s a different story, because they are huge guys who can fight. But David has every chance.

Pacquiao’s fight on the other hand, was absolutely stunning to watch. Having seen Cotto live before, the fight went as I thought it would, because Cotto is prone to being caught too often and Manny is just so relentless.

I am so impressed with him, he just gets better and better and now I think it’s tough to say whether it’s Manny or Floyd Mayweather is the pound-for-pound king.

Surely, Mayweather is going to take the fight? It’s the one everyone wants to see in 2010 and if Mayweather doesn’t fight him because of money issues, he should just retire.

Unless he’s going to fight the best, why bother?

Speaking of the best, there is no doubt which boxing clip has been played most this week, my old mate Paul Samuels, now a YouTube sensation!

If you haven’t seen the story in the Argus, Paul was involved in a double knockdown last week and after winning the fight, is back in the news because of the amazing footage.

I am delighted for Paul, he’s at a journeyman stage in his career now, but hopefully, that exposure might see him get a couple of good paydays in the near future.

If that’s the best sporting action of the week, there is not doubt what the worst was, the miscarriage of justice in the France v Republic of Ireland game.

I can’t believe Ireland are going to miss out on the World Cup because of blatant cheating, it is appalling and doesn’t seem right.

Surely it’s time football followed rugby with video technology, because it’s just so wrong that France are going to the World Cup after a moment like that.

I wonder how Thierry Henry feels knowing everyone is now calling him a cheat?

I feel absolutely gutted for the Irish, I really do.

[BoxingFan]

Calzaghe said Newport. I've been there.

:wav: :wav:

[hopey]

Calzaghe said Newport. I've been there.

:wav:  :wav:

He also said rugby and i've seen it on a map yet I managed to contain myself :unsure:

[champ4ever]

agree with calzaghe.

[mike john]

JOE CALZAGHE SAYS: Manny and Haye leading the way

3:30pm Friday 20th November 2009


Haye had a game plan and, I have to admit, watching it on television I felt it was too big a risk to throw so few shots, because as I know from experience, you don’t really want to leave it up to the judges in Germany.

?

[mestizod]

I wish Calzaghe would come back for one more fight against David Haye. Calzaghe, in my opinion, would box the shit out of Haye.. Too much skill... :boxing2: :boxing2: