Calzaghe in Glen Johnson’s Corner
By Robert Ecksel August 28th, 2006Joe Calzaghe backs Glen Johnson over Clinton Woods
According to the BBC, IBF/WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe wants Glen Johnson to defeat Clinton Woods in their IBF light heavyweight title bout scheduled for Sept. 2.
It’s neither pro-Jamaican nor anti-British bias that inclines Calzaghe to back Glen Johnson. Calzaghe has a “provisional agreement” to fight Johnson if he beats Woods.
“Maybe I want Johnson to win because he’s a bigger name in America,” Calzaghe said. “He’s knocked out Roy Jones. Woods would be a good fight but it wouldn’t mean much worldwide.”
Woods’ promoter, Dennis Hobson, said he offered Calzaghe £1.5m to move up to light heavyweight to face Woods.
“Johnson is not getting any younger while Clinton has the title now so I think he has grown in confidence and he’s improved slightly as a fighter,” said Calzaghe.
“I honestly think it’s a 50-50 fight.”
Calzaghe returns to action against Cameroon’s Sakio Bika in October.
August 29th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Can someone let me know where Calzaghe will be defending his title in October? Thanks!
August 29th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
I think its supposed to be in Cardiff, last time i heard anyway,,,F.Warren was billing as a homecoming fight for all the welsh fans.
Id prefer Manchester again but either way ill be going to suppport Calzagh.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Thanks, Dan, for the info. I’ll be in Wales at that time, very close to Cardiff, so I’m excited & will make arrangements to attend the fight! Joe Calzaghe is a champ worth watching!
August 30th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Calzaghe is very exciting to watch. I didn’t know much about him here in the States until I saw him destroy Jeff Lacey. Wish I could somehow make it out to Britain to catch his next fight against Bika. As for a future Calzaghe vs. Johnson, I pick Calzaghe win by late KO or UD.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:06 am
I don’t think that a Roy Jones-Joe Calzaghe fight was avoided for all those years by accident. With the foundational flaws that RJJ carried in his style, I believe that Calzaghe could’ve capitalized on them, in spite of Roy’s speed & power, & Joe might’ve caught up with & trapped Roy, maybe even tko’ing him, if not taking him out cold.
Though we’ll probably never know for sure, since Roy has been exposed, it may have been wisdom on his part that the fight wasn’t conducted! What do you think?