Calzaghe will return to defend his title this October

Carmine · 08-08-2006, 07:53 AM

Sports Network Promoter Frank Warren confirmed to Fightnews.com this evening that WBO/IBF Super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe will return to action at the MEN Arena in Manchester on October 14th. He stated, "Joe will return to the 20,000 MEN Arena in Manchester where he had his crowning night to beat Jeff Lacy in March for the unification of the WBO and IBF titles. We hope to announce the details of the opponent on Wednesday once the contract is signed. The bout will be at 168 pounds and part of a triple world title bill on October 14th. If Joe is successful in this bout and Glen Johnson defeats Clinton Woods on September 2nd in the UK then they will both fight for the IBF Light-heavyweight title early in 2007. That deal has been agreed in principle for the winners of both fights coming up and represents a great incentive to both of them." Sports Network hope to announce opponent details tommorrow.

Source: Fightnews

Necrocide · 08-08-2006, 08:45 AM

Okay...but who's he fighting?

BootyDaddy · 08-08-2006, 09:01 AM

Knowing Calzaghe my guess will be an as yet 'un-named opponent' and then he will pull out due to a....... hand/back injury or runny nose. And then guess what, the Johnson fight will fall through for the zillionth time.

johnnysilks · 08-08-2006, 09:25 AM

Warren claimed to be keen to get a fight with RJJ on the sky sports website. This wouldn't surprise me at all as it would be a big name and fairly low risk at this stage.

Carmine · 08-08-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnysilks

Warren claimed to be keen to get a fight with RJJ on the sky sports website. This wouldn't surprise me at all as it would be a big name and fairly low risk at this stage.

That would be something, I would love to see. But I don't have high hopes for it

elgigante · 08-09-2006, 12:51 AM

over under of him calling the bout out do to injury? ill say september 15th

mdobson101 · 08-09-2006, 05:47 AM

Cool sounds good, I want to see Joe in more of the biggest fights.

KidGomiFan · 08-10-2006, 09:30 PM

oh ya

DeadAndRestless · 08-10-2006, 10:27 PM

Let's take a look at the WBO and IBF's rankings...preferably the lower end of the top 15...

WBO:
1. Rudy Markussen
2. Robert Stieglitz
3. Denis Inkin
4. Carl Froch
5. Jeff Lacy
6. Chad Dawson
7. Victor Oganov
8. Lucian Bute
9. Allan Green
10. Mario Veit
11. Jurgen Brahmer
12. Cristian Sanavia
13. Francisco Antonio Mora
14. Lolenga Mock
15. Hector Velazco

IBF:
1 Robert Stieglitz
2 Alejandro Berrio
3 Rudy Markussen
4 Danillo Haussler
5 Jeff Lacy
6 Mger Mkrtchian
7 Carl Froch
8 Luciene Bute
9 Mario Veit
10 Jackson Chanet
11 Jurgen Brahmer
12 Dennis Inkin
13 Yusuf Mack
14 Otis Grant
15 Peter Manfredo

Out of these lists, given that Grant is retired, Veit's taken a pair of beatings, Manfredo, Stieglitz, Dawson, Lacy, and Berrio are all very unlikely, I'd anticipate either Dennis Inkin, Yusuf Mack (Berrio just KOed him), or Juergen Braehmer (lost MD to Veit) are probably the front runners.