TalkingBoxing Articles
Joe Calzaghe – Las Vegas is Calling
TUE October 17, BUSTER PARIS - In addition to an ugly Roman Greco wrestling imitation Sakio Bika would land some really hard slamming blows that would physically hurt Joe Calzaghe in that “he’ll be feeling it tomorrow” kind of way. Fortunately for Joe the shots were lacking that crucial ingredient that would have made them more threatening or punishing, but we all know that Calzaghe shouldn't take them for granted – it is after all boxing – and anything can happen – and then something did ...
Saturday – October 14th, 2006 at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England – “The Pride of Whales” Joe Calzaghe (W 42 - 31 ko's & L 0) took on Sakio "The Scorpion" Bika (W 20 - 13 ko's, L 2 & D 2) for more than just the honor and glory of the IBF and WBO Super Middleweight Titles – for Joe – this is his way of flirtatiously winking at Sin City – this is his pick up line.
Let’s take a quickie overview shall we?
So – Calzaghe’s last fight was his most notable and impressive fight to date. The one that the entire world was watching and expecting him to lose – and lose in large fashion - against a bigger, younger, stronger and better marketed super star on the rise … he not only won – he dominated Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy (March 2006) and earned a top 10 spot on Ring Magazines Pound Per Pound List as well as the long overdue respect and acceptance of the fickle and snobbish US Boxing Fans (myself included).
After dominating Lacy – and, truth be told, after fighting for years some of the best ranked opponents out there, he’s earned the right to go to Disney Land – to have a nice easy fight – especially as he’s looking ahead to some huge names and talent – like Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor and Winky Wright, but what does he do? – He takes on a rough and tough challenger – the WBC #7 ranked Middleweight - Sakio Bika.
For Bika – this is a chance to win some belts and to beat the top reigning Super Middleweight (168 lbs) of the past 9 years – it’s his chance for greatness and his shot at infamy in handing The Italian Dragon his first “L”.
For Calzaghe – he has this amazing momentum from his trouncing of Jeff Lacy. Joe wants to take on THE tipity-top of boxing’s elite in -and near- his weight class (Hopkins, Taylor and Wright) - and this is his showcase to show off what he can do – and again – he could have coasted and took on an easy foe, but that’s not Joe’s style – this fight is Joe’s wink towards Vegas – will Vegas wink back?
The fight itself was an interesting dance and had more drama for what it represented than for the actual bout.
Rounds 1 through 4 were all Calzaghe’s – Bika tried to make it more of a wrestling match and would grab, hold and hit whenever he could. Joe would be able to grapple out of the holds, bully Bika to the corner and throw flurries to Sakio’s head and body.
Joe would dangerously and daringly drop his hands below his waist and before you could disparagingly say “bad move” he’d be finishing up a four shot combination that would sting Sakio and send him backwards to the ropes.
Calzaghe would also do some clowning and showboating – he was clearly the faster of the two and his hand speed really is an impressive sight to behold – it reminds me of my sisters, my aunts and mother hitting Macy’s the day after Thanksgiving - they come from all different directions, they come in bunches and they may look weak, but they sure do damage.
Defensively he would drop his hands and in an Ali-esque way -- he would use upper body avoidance as a way to not get hit.
He was clearly in control, confident and trying to show off his superior talents to a new HBO crowd of viewers -- he was for all-intense-and-purposes flirting with Las Vegas.
Bika would do a lot grabbing and man handling – really trying to brawl and ugly it up. He would also land some hard slamming blows that would hurt Calzaghe in that “he’ll be feeling it tomorrow” kind of way. The punches weren’t doing any serious damage and weren’t the kind to put Joe in a precarious position, but we all know not to take them for granted – it is after all boxing – and anything can happen – and something did.
A clash of heads in the 4th round - and Calzaghe’s eye gets cut – not in a bad spot – right on the corner of the eye, but it’s a cut – and cuts bleed and cuts get opened even more – and open, bleeding, nasty looking cuts get fights stopped.
Between the 4th and 5th round Joe’s corner read him the riot act for playing around and putting himself that much at risk – so for the rest of fight Calzaghe was more … professional.
It was an ugly fight, a couple of the rounds were pretty close and difficult to score, but most of the rounds were the same in theme with Calzaghe landing first and landing in bunches – and Bika grabbing and really solidly pounding away when he could and trying to make it a brawl and a beating.
Rounds 6 through 8 were at a slower pace, but had the same premise, foundation and action as the others - and rounds 9, 10 and 11 were faster, but sloppier with both fighters obviously tired.
Round 12 was the toughest to score – lots of action and at one point Joe got hit with a painful low blow. The round did showcase what both fighters do best – Calzaghe lighting fast and flurrying and Bika grappling and powerfully hammering away.
At the end of 12 it was a unanimous decision for Joe Calzaghe – Judges Jose Rivera and John Lawson had it 117-110 and Judge Phil Edwards had it 116-111
It was an ugly, but good fight – and you’ve got to give Joe credit for not taking on an easy opponent.
Post fight - he told HBO’s Larry Merchant that he was disappointed and really wanted to do well on HBO. He didn’t feel his timing was right and didn’t feel he performed as good as he could have … and that his hand hurt (he’s had hand problems).
I’ve got to say that Joe has nothing to feel bad about. I felt that he fought really well against a very tough and brutish fighter.
I think Calzaghe’s disappointment stems from wanting to completely shine and have another dominating performance like he did against Lacy – especially being on HBO and exposed to a whole new audience as well as wanting his shot at the elite – Hopkins, Taylor and Wright.
This fight was Joe’s flirtation with the other side of the pond and while I think he did well and is a great, unique, interesting and entertaining fighter to watch I don’t think that Bernard Hopkins should come out of retirement for him (or anyone for that matter - except a Heavyweight).
I’d absolutely love to see Calzaghe fight Jermain Taylor … and I’d love to see him against one of my favorite and most underrated Middleweights out there – a guy I actually think could give him a big run for his money and a guy I think could actually beat Taylor … “King” Sam Soliman.
Either way – Joe, you did well – if you do hear a light ringing in your ears it ain’t due to Bika --- Joe Calzaghe --- Las Vegas is calling.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
Forum
