TalkingBoxing News
Calzaghe Workout Quotes
THU March 2 - America’s No. 1 Boxing Network, SHOWTIME continues its 20th anniversary celebration of putting on world-class fights on Saturday, March 4, when talented, undefeated, hard-hitting super middleweight world champions Jeff “Left Hook’’ Lacy and Joe Calzaghe collide in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
The most significant unification world title bout in years will air live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) from the MEN Arena in Manchester, England. The highly anticipated, long-awaited match up is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with Frank Warren’s Sport Network.
JOE CALZAGHE
“This fight is great for our division. Lacy is a good fighter, but he has not fought Joe Calzaghe. I have respect for Lacy, but if he’s underestimating me, he made a mistake coming here.
“I am a step up from what Jeff Lacy is used to."
“My training has gone well. I am really excited now that the fight is almost here. I’m ready to go 12 rounds if I need to.”
Lacy-Calzaghe Final Quotes
THU March 2 - America’s No. 1 Boxing Network, SHOWTIME continues its 20th anniversary celebration of putting on world-class, great fights on Saturday, March 4, when talented, undefeated, hard-hitting super middleweight world champions Jeff “Left Hook’’ Lacy and Joe Calzaghe collide in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
The most significant unification world title bout in years – and clearly the biggest in the division since Roy Jones Jr. met James Toney in 1994 – will air live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) from the MEN Arena in Manchester, England (2 a.m. local time). The highly anticipated, long-awaited match up is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Frank Warren’s Sport Network.
JEFF “LEFT HOOK’’ LACY (21-0, 17 KOs)
“I’ve had two months of very serious training and dedication. I have had much more intensity in my training for this fight. Every aspect has gone up a level. I am treating this very seriously.’’
When asked why he has abandoned his normally cheerful attitude and adopted one of more disconcert, Lacy replied: “I am a happy guy, still. I am just focused. I am just ready to fight. I am through with all the talk.”
Re: Calzaghe’s injury before the pair’s previously scheduled bout in November: “Joe and all fighters can be prone to injury. This fight is happening on Saturday night, so that’s what I am looking forward to.”
Re: 20,000 UK fans not supporting the American fighter: “I am not worried about it. I’ve always been the underdog, ever since the Olympics (2000). I like it better. That’s why I didn’t mind coming here to take this fight.”
Re: Calzaghe being viewed as the gatekeeper at 168 pounds: “I don’t like that he and his fights control my future. I don’t like that he’s in control. That’s why we are taking this fight here in Manchester.”
GARY SHAW had this to add: “After Saturday night, Jeff is in control of his destiny. We choose when he fights, where he fights and who he fights. The only thing between Jeff and Jeff’s future is sitting on the other side of this dais. This is a case where when you beat the man, you can not only become the man, you surpass the man. Jeff will be the people’s champion.”
JOE CALZAGHE (40-0, 31 KOs)
Q: After 40 fights and 40 wins, why are people calling this a career-defining fight for you?
“This is the first fight were I have something to gain. Jeff is a highly regarded fighter in the U.S. And he’s got something I want, another belt. This is the biggest fight of my career.
“I am a proud fighter. And in this match up, you have the top two guys fighting. I think if you even ask Jeff Lacy, he’ll tell you the same thing, the belts are a bonus for us. It’s the match up that matters the most. After this fight, I’ll still be the best.”
Asked to compare Jeff to other opponents he’s faced, Calzaghe said: “That is difficult to say. We’ve been waiting for this fight for eight years. This is the fight that fighters dream about. I can’t wait for Saturday. I’ve been waiting to unify the titles for eight years.”
Q: Any aspect of Lacy’s style that you need to look out for?
“I am here to do my thing. I have not seen any one thing or another that I need to look out for. I am coming to fight and Jeff won’t have to look for me in the ring. I’ll be there.”
Luan Krasniqi to Fight April 29
THU March 2 -
He is back – on the peak of his career: Luan Krasniqi will return to the boxing ring n April 29, seven months after losing a WBO heavyweight world title fight to Lamon Brewster. He lost the fight for the title but he won the hearts of millions of German boxing fans who were stunned watching on ZDF as they had never seen Krasniqi fighting more concentrated and with more fighting spirit. He opened the eyes of many fans on the heavyweight boxing power made in Germany.
"I believe I gave Brewster the hell of a fight“, Krasniqi, 28-2-1 (14), remembers. “Later I watched it step by step on video and over and again switched the tape off before the end of the fight. “There is a driving force inside me to live up to my promise, to capture the title and to put things straight.”
The 34-year-old model athlete impressed with his fair and smart behavior in talkshows and other TV entrances as gentleman and boxing star in front of millions of people. Luan Krasniqi already opened the doors to his training gym and began light workout for his second run on a heavyweight world title. His promise to Max Schmeling to bring a heavyweight championship to Germany is only postponed.
Krasniqi has to convince experts and world boxing bodies with a meaningful victory on April 29 before he can think of another title shot.
“I would most likely fight Lamon Brewster in a direct rematch”, Krasniqi, a former European heavyweight champion, said. “He promised me a rematch after the fight but later didn’t keep his promise. Fortunately I didn’t drop very low in the WBO rankings. I absolutely want to fight Brewster again. Even in case that I could win a world title from Rahman or another champion this would have a different taste to me.”
"On April 29 Luan will be matched with a top opponent”, Jean-Marcel off Universum said. “In case of victory Luan may soon become WBO mandatory challenger again. That way Brewster can’t duck him.”
"I have the feeling that I’m already in top shape and ready for a fight against Brewster“, Krasniqi said. “I would have loved to fight him on April 29.”
Also fighting on the show in Stuttgart, broadcast live by ZDF in Germany, will be WBO jr. middleweight champion Sergej Dzindziruk. The Ukrainian boxer-puncher southpaw took the title from Daniel Santos in a marvelous fight on December 3 in Magdeburg. It was awarded one of the best fights in 2005 by the WBO and several times shown Eurosport TV as a replay.
Video-Interview with Luan Krasniqi and photo gallery of the press conference on www.boxing.de
Forum
