Joe Calzaghe exclusive: I’m always grateful to Jeff Lacy

[Box-Office]

Glen Johnson lost to Omar Sheika

Yes, but he has pulled out at least 3 times.

They didn't nick name him "No Show Joe" for no reason.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Yes, but he has pulled out at least 3 times.

They didn't nick name him "No Show Joe" for no reason.

He pulled out of a lot of fights. I remember he pulled out against Brian Magee but you don't hear people saying he ducked Magee. Glen Johnson is probably one of the most overrated fighters of recent times. He's become retrospectively overrated. When Calzaghe was supposed to fight him, he was considered little more than a tough journeyman.

[LacedUp]

He pulled out of a lot of fights. I remember he pulled out against Brian Magee but you don't hear people saying he ducked Magee. Glen Johnson is probably one of the most overrated fighters of recent times. He's become retrospectively overrated. When Calzaghe was supposed to fight him, he was considered little more than a tough journeyman.

Has that ever been changed?

[ИATAS]

He pulled out of a lot of fights. I remember he pulled out against Brian Magee but you don't hear people saying he ducked Magee. Glen Johnson is probably one of the most overrated fighters of recent times. He's become retrospectively overrated. When Calzaghe was supposed to fight him, he was considered little more than a tough journeyman.

Glen Johnson was Fighter of the Year in 2004 after beating both Jones & Tarver. Calzaghe had pullee out in 2004 & 2005 when Johnson was at his peak of recognition.

[sunny31]

Glen Johnson was Fighter of the Year in 2004 after beating both Jones & Tarver. Calzaghe had pullee out in 2004 & 2005 when Johnson was at his peak of recognition.

Not true - in 2005 he fought Lacy. The last cancellation was in 2004 after the back injury with them set to fight in July, he had just come off two fights with Clinton Woods, one draw, and a close decision win. Johnson hadn't fought either Jones or Tarver yet.



Joe Calzaghe's chance of fighting IBF light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson looks to be over.
The Welshman withdrew from the original fight against the 35-year-old American because of a back injury.

Calzaghe's promoter, Frank Warren, had been in talks with opposite number Dan Goossen, but Goossen told BBC Wales on Wednesday the fight will not go ahead.

"There was a multitude of problems but the bottom line is that Glen will not be fighting Calzaghe," Goossen said.


Johnson "set for Jones"
"We're certainly in negotiations on defending his title, but we were very disappointed in Calzaghe not being able to take up this challenge.

"Unfortunately circumstances beyond his (Calzaghe's) control negated that opportunity.

"We wish Joe all the best and we certainly had a straightforward relationship with Frank (Warren), but the timing just didn't work out on this one."

However, the Calzaghe camp insists that a recurrence of the back injury was the reason the fight was not rescheduled for the alternative date in Cardiff on 24 July, which has now been cancelled.


I'm not fighting this guy anymore, I'm not wasting my time on him
Glen Johnson
They believe a legal agreement exists in the original contract that says the fight would take place within 90 days if either boxer got injured.

Warren said that the matter is now in the hands of his US counsel, Judd Burnstein.

Warren said: "This is a bitter blow for Joe who has had a bad time recently.

"He will now have a good rest and seek further treatment from specialists during the summer and will return to the ring in September."

Goossen's effort to part from the failed negotiations on good terms is in contrast to the relationship between the two fighters.

Since the failed bout on 12 June, the pair have traded insults through the media.

That is not unusual for boxers but Johnson appeared genuinely angry that Calzaghe had cancelled and is on record as saying he was not interested in rescheduling.

"I'm not fighting this guy anymore, I'm not wasting my time on him," Johnson said.

"I've told my manager and promoter (Henry Foster and Goossen) to find me someone else to fight because I'm not interested in Calzaghe now."

The 32-year-old Calzaghe might now have to postpone his step up a weight and continue to defend his WBO super middleweight crown.

Johnson, meanwhile, could be aiming for a showdown with Antonio Tarver, who sensationally beat Roy Jones Jr in May, or even Jones himself.

[IMDAZED]

Not true - in 2005 he fought Lacy. The last cancellation was in 2004 after the back injury with them set to fight in July, he had just come off two fights with Clinton Woods, one draw, and a close decision win. Johnson hadn't fought either Jones or Tarver yet.



Joe Calzaghe's chance of fighting IBF light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson looks to be over.
The Welshman withdrew from the original fight against the 35-year-old American because of a back injury.

Calzaghe's promoter, Frank Warren, had been in talks with opposite number Dan Goossen, but Goossen told BBC Wales on Wednesday the fight will not go ahead.

"There was a multitude of problems but the bottom line is that Glen will not be fighting Calzaghe," Goossen said.


Johnson "set for Jones"
"We're certainly in negotiations on defending his title, but we were very disappointed in Calzaghe not being able to take up this challenge.

"Unfortunately circumstances beyond his (Calzaghe's) control negated that opportunity.

"We wish Joe all the best and we certainly had a straightforward relationship with Frank (Warren), but the timing just didn't work out on this one."

However, the Calzaghe camp insists that a recurrence of the back injury was the reason the fight was not rescheduled for the alternative date in Cardiff on 24 July, which has now been cancelled.


I'm not fighting this guy anymore, I'm not wasting my time on him
Glen Johnson
They believe a legal agreement exists in the original contract that says the fight would take place within 90 days if either boxer got injured.

Warren said that the matter is now in the hands of his US counsel, Judd Burnstein.

Warren said: "This is a bitter blow for Joe who has had a bad time recently.

"He will now have a good rest and seek further treatment from specialists during the summer and will return to the ring in September."

Goossen's effort to part from the failed negotiations on good terms is in contrast to the relationship between the two fighters.

Since the failed bout on 12 June, the pair have traded insults through the media.

That is not unusual for boxers but Johnson appeared genuinely angry that Calzaghe had cancelled and is on record as saying he was not interested in rescheduling.

"I'm not fighting this guy anymore, I'm not wasting my time on him," Johnson said.

"I've told my manager and promoter (Henry Foster and Goossen) to find me someone else to fight because I'm not interested in Calzaghe now."

The 32-year-old Calzaghe might now have to postpone his step up a weight and continue to defend his WBO super middleweight crown.

Johnson, meanwhile, could be aiming for a showdown with Antonio Tarver, who sensationally beat Roy Jones Jr in May, or even Jones himself.

Who fought Lacy in 2005??

[Box-Office]

Not true - in 2005 he fought Lacy. The last cancellation was in 2004 after the back injury with them set to fight in July, he had just come off two fights with Clinton Woods, one draw, and a close decision win. Johnson hadn't fought either Jones or Tarver yet.

Last pull out was in June 2006. Then he proceeded to fight Bika in October.



w pts 12 Sakio Bika, October 2006
Calzaghe yet again lost momentum after a big win, pulling out for the third time v Glen Johnson in June... the big return post Lacy was always going to be a let down, though... hard fight to apprise... glass half full verdict: Calzaghe out-toughed a tough man who came to fight... half empty verdict: Joe was awkward against an opponent with little skill and look nothing like a pound-for-pound talent...

[sunny31]

Who fought Lacy in 2005??

Oh yeah just checked it was in 2006, forgot about the whole Salem, Veit II, and Ashira debacle. Still my point stands about the negotiations.

In terms of the fight - Johnson would have been tough for Calzaghe, but I expect he would have won a comfortable UD, he would hardly have been intimidated by Johnson's fights with Woods, who was a solid B-level guy at best.

[sunny31]

Last pull out was in June 2006. Then he proceeded to fight Bika in October.



w pts 12 Sakio Bika, October 2006
Calzaghe yet again lost momentum after a big win, pulling out for the third time v Glen Johnson in June... the big return post Lacy was always going to be a let down, though... hard fight to apprise... glass half full verdict: Calzaghe out-toughed a tough man who came to fight... half empty verdict: Joe was awkward against an opponent with little skill and look nothing like a pound-for-pound talent...

Yeah that fight was never agreed, I know there had been negotiations because they wanted to do a homecoming fight at the millennium stadium, but an opponent was never actually named from my recollection. (although Johnson was mooted, among others) He definitely pulled out to a hand injury, but to say he pulled out for a third time against Johnson is harsh, and a little inaccurate.

He ended up fighting Bika in the fall anyway, hardly a pushover.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Glen Johnson was Fighter of the Year in 2004 after beating both Jones & Tarver. Calzaghe had pullee out in 2004 & 2005 when Johnson was at his peak of recognition.

No. It was in 2003 when Johnson was going life and death with Clinton Woods.