Calzaghe splits with Warren

[Chris]

About a decade to late mind.

Exclusive By Michael Pearlman

TWO-WEIGHT world boxing champion Joe Calzaghe has ended his association with promoter Frank Warren and will now promote himself, the Argus can exclusively reveal.

Undefeated champion and Argus columnist Calzaghe, 36, has split with Warren following a 12-year association that stretches back to before he beat Chris Eubank in 1997 to win his first world crown.

The split will not affect the other Team Calzaghe boxers represented by Warren, including Bradley Pryce, Gavin Rees, Nathan Cleverly and Enzo Maccarinelli.

The Argus exclusively revealed back in April that Calzaghe hoped to face Roy Jones Jnr in his final fight as a professional towards the end of the year, an intention he confirms today.

He told the Argus: "There has been a lot of speculation about my future.

"At this time I want to set the record straight and end that speculation.

"I am now a free agent with no contract and intend to be self-managed from now on. I am the only person who can make negotiations for my next fight. Regarding that fight, I am not in negotiations with Kelly Pavlik, despite reports to the contrary.

"My intention is to fight Roy Jones Jnr, a four-weight world champion fighter.

"That would be a special event for me against a legend of the sport.

"There are issues to be resolved with my former promoter Frank Warren and I hope they can be done so amicably."

Calzaghe became a two-weight world champion this year, beating Bernard Hopkins for his Ring Magazine light heavyweight title.

He has also enjoyed an 11-year spell of domination at super middleweight, having won his first title - the WBO belt - in 1997 against Eubank.

Promoter Warren has described Calzaghe as "the best fighter I have ever worked with" and in total Warren represented Calzaghe in 26 contests, the first of which saw him beat Carlos Christie in two rounds in January 1997.

Calzaghe follows in the footsteps of heavyweight David Haye, who earlier this month also announced his intention to be self-managed, setting up Hayemaker Promotions.

Oscar de la Hoya, one of the most popular fighters in the US, also has his own company, Golden Boy Promotions.

Warren was unavailable for comment last night.

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/general/display.var.2360352.0.split_decision_calzaghe_leaves_warren.php

[bazza76]

As you say, it is a little late in the day. Warren must have been making a nuisance of himself in the lead up to Calzaghes last fight.

[felly]

If he would of done this a few years back i think we would have seen some bigger names on Calzaghes CV. Maybe not the zero in the Lost colum though??

[Chris]

His arselicking of Jones Jr is becoming cringeworthy, yes he was amazing Joe but he's finished now. Anyone would think you want a big name while being guaranteed to keep your 0 that you're obsessed with. Thats fair enough if its the case but dont try to kid us into think Jones is still something brilliant.

He called Pavlik out for months and as soon as Pavlik said he'd fight him he's shut up and started on Jones. Maybe his dad has had a word after seeing him close up.

[felly]

Welsh boxing hero Joe Calzaghe has been accused of running scared of big-hitting American Kelly Pavlik.

Super-middleweight king Calzaghe has ruled out a big-money showdown with fellow unbeaten star Pavlik, the WBO and WBC middleweight champion.

But Pavlik's trainer Jack Loew said: "How many more excuses is this guy going to make? If Joe Calzaghe fought Kelly, he'd be in trouble.

"There's no way he'd beat Kelly, he's just a slap-happy Welshman."

Pavlik has told 10-year champion Calzaghe he wants to "get it on" but the undisputed super-middleweight wants to fight ageing great Roy Jones Jnr.

Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren is in negotiations with 39-year-old Jones's representatives for a prospective autumn clash.

The 36-year-old Welshman is currently big box office in the United States following his points win over Bernard the 'Executioner' Hopkins.

But although Calzaghe insists he would beat Pavlik, the powerhouse from Ohio would be a risk to the Newbridge fighter's unbeaten record at this late stage in his career.

The legendary Jones is a four-weight world champion but is considered by many pundits as yesterday's news, with rising star Pavlik the promising new kid on the block.

Calzaghe's stablemate Gary Lockett, trained by Calzaghe's father Enzo, was demolished by Pavlik inside three rounds earlier this month, and Loew admitted: "Jones Jnr is a smarter fight for Calzaghe.

"This is what happened: his dad went back and said 'don't fight this killer, he is gonna knock you out'.

"I'm ticked off as he's telling us that we don't want to fight him. But yes, we do want to fight Joe Calzaghe. He doesn't want to fight Kelly Pavlik."

[Shaggy]

Welsh boxing hero Joe Calzaghe has been accused of running scared of big-hitting American Kelly Pavlik.

Super-middleweight king Calzaghe has ruled out a big-money showdown with fellow unbeaten star Pavlik, the WBO and WBC middleweight champion.

But Pavlik's trainer Jack Loew said: "How many more excuses is this guy going to make? If Joe Calzaghe fought Kelly, he'd be in trouble.

"There's no way he'd beat Kelly, he's just a slap-happy Welshman."

Pavlik has told 10-year champion Calzaghe he wants to "get it on" but the undisputed super-middleweight wants to fight ageing great Roy Jones Jnr.

Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren is in negotiations with 39-year-old Jones's representatives for a prospective autumn clash.

The 36-year-old Welshman is currently big box office in the United States following his points win over Bernard the 'Executioner' Hopkins.

But although Calzaghe insists he would beat Pavlik, the powerhouse from Ohio would be a risk to the Newbridge fighter's unbeaten record at this late stage in his career.

The legendary Jones is a four-weight world champion but is considered by many pundits as yesterday's news, with rising star Pavlik the promising new kid on the block.

Calzaghe's stablemate Gary Lockett, trained by Calzaghe's father Enzo, was demolished by Pavlik inside three rounds earlier this month, and Loew admitted: "Jones Jnr is a smarter fight for Calzaghe.

"This is what happened: his dad went back and said 'don't fight this killer, he is gonna knock you out'.

"I'm ticked off as he's telling us that we don't want to fight him. But yes, we do want to fight Joe Calzaghe. He doesn't want to fight Kelly Pavlik."

Bang on the money. "A slap happy Welshman"

Pavlik would kick his arse and he knows it.

[spud_gun]

Bang on the money. "A slap happy Welshman"

Pavlik would kick his arse and he knows it.

Really? On the basis of what? The Garry Lockett fight?

[Shaggy]

No not on the basis of the Lockett fight.

So why won't Chicken Joe fight him then?

[Chris]

He'd beat Pavlik for me but I think it's to big a risk for someone to take when he's obsessed with keeping his 0 so he'll go after a washed up big name instead.

[Shaggy]

He'd beat Pavlik for me but I think it's to big a risk for someone to take when he's obsessed with keeping his 0 so he'll go after a washed up big name instead.

I think Pavlik would beat him - which is neither here nor there really - but totally agree otherwise.

Another washed-up big name before retiring, safe in the delusion of being an all-time great thanks to the blob in the "defeats" column.

[Joe King]

I think Pavlik would beat him - which is neither here nor there really - but totally agree otherwise.

Another washed-up big name before retiring, safe in the delusion of being an all-time great thanks to the blob in the "defeats" column.

What makes Calzaghe an all time great? He was fighting in an uncompetitive weight class.

[Sarb]

Warren is a joker. Gets fighters to fight bums. Doubt he would ever have got Hatton the Mayweather fight. And to be honest, Calzaghe for the large part of his career has fought nobodies.

Jones Jr....Lol. Just a big pay day before Joe retires. Laughable fight

[Chris]

Enzo Calzaghe has told setantasports.com that his son will never fight Kelly Pavlik because the American has not earned the right to meet him, unlike Roy Jones Jnr who he believes will provide the harder bout anyhow.

Calzaghe said his son, who has just announced he is splitting from long-time promoter Frank Warren, does not care that Pavlik is seen as a dream opponent for many boxing aficionados, insisting the public at large do not know who the Youngstown fighter is.

With the bout with Jones set to be Calzaghe's last, he insists there is no way a meeting with the popular WBC/WBO middlweight champion will ever happen.

"At the end of the day it's never going to happen," Calzaghe told setantasports.com.

"Simply because I don't feel he deserves a shot yet at the big-time. On the back of one performance against a subdued, light fighter.

"There's a vast, vast difference between Gary and Joe Calzaghe. Gary would be the first to say that. It's chalk and cheese.

"I'm not interested in boosting the profile of a fight that aint going to happen. At the end of the day, you've got Carl Froch, you've got everybody coming up with some [fight].

"We want the best available. Someone who I have always admired. Let's be honest about it. Do you think Pavlik deserves to be mentioned on that level? Pound-for-pound as the best fighter in the world?"

The Pride of Wales is expected to meet Jones in September and his trainer said they wanted to take this bout so if the worst-case scenario does happen, he will have lost his undefeated record to a bona fide legend.

"I look at it with a different perspective," Calzaghe added. "Motivation is about will. Will is about passion. Does he care about the public, Joe? No. So why scream about it. I want rewarded. Joe wants to be rewarded. Let this guy [Pavlik] win five/eight different belts.

"Come and talk to me face-to-face, pound-for-pound, somebody who can have a chance to jump the ship.

"Without a question of a doubt. Big Time. He beat Jermain Taylor so what? Joe would have wiped the floor with Jermain Taylor. A Light weight small puncher.

"So we should give a fight to everyone who wants one? 'It's my turn next'.

"Let him earn the right to go into the position. In Britain half the public don't know who Pavlik is, only the connoseurs of boxing.

"It's not bigger than Roy Jones-Calzaghe, its impossible."

The Newbridge gym guru went on to insist that Jones' performance against Felix Trinidad showed that he is not a 'shot fighter' and a tougher opponent than Pavlik.

"That's why we took him," Calzaghe went on. "We wanted people to believe that Joe is not after dead squid.

"That guy's alive and kicking. We were impressed with him last time. That's why we chose him.

"Without question it is the harder fight. But Joe said he wants to go out in flying colours. The best beats the best.

"He's got a right to that claim. He deserves it. Hypothetically, if the s*** hits the fan it happened with an all-time great."

http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/06/072/Boxing-Calzaghe-Pavlik-fight-will-never-happen/?facets/great-britain-locale/sport-space/boxing/

Oh dear. Pavlik doesnt deserve a shot at the big time? Haha, thats laughable. He's fought Taylor twice and Miranda within 10 months.

"We want the best available" HAHAHAHAAHHAAH Thats brilliant! Yeah evidently so Enzo HAHHAHAHAAHHA.

"Do you think Pavlik deserves to be mentioned on that level? Pound-for-pound as the best fighter in the world?"

He's not the best but..... an unbeaten middleweight who is the best in his division has a good claim to be in the top 10 and actually ring magazine rate him as number 7. Shall we look for Roy Jones Jr? Oh sorry, it only goes as far as 250 and I havent found him yet.

"He beat Jermain Taylor so what? Joe would have wiped the floor with Jermain Taylor. A Light weight small puncher." Hang on a sec Enzo, this is the Jermain Taylor you and Joe spent ages calling out, I seem to recall your son saying it is "The number one fight out there for me" so is Taylor good or not? Only you cant seem to make your mind up. Oh actually, you think he's average, that explains you wanting the fight then doesnt it?

"Let him earn the right to go into the position. In Britain half the public don't know who Pavlik is, only the connoseurs of boxing."

Earn it? He's dominant in his division, is very marketable and HBO love him. What more do you want? What has Roy Jones Jr done to "earn" another top fight? Being good 6 years ago?

"It's not bigger than Roy Jones-Calzaghe, its impossible."

You'd be in for a shock then. Jones Jr has never had a big fanbase for a start, Pavlik has. The PPV buys would shock you aswell.

"That guy's alive and kicking. We were impressed with him last time. That's why we chose him." HAHAHAHAHA Is this some sort of pisstake? He fought a guy who had never ever fought above 160 and was out of the ring for over 2 and a half years, you're seemingly easily impressed Enzo.

"Without question it is the harder fight. But Joe said he wants to go out in flying colours. The best beats the best."

Please! You cant genuinely believe this stuff? What do you think of Jones Jr getting carved up by (dont laugh here) Antonio Tarver not once but twice? And also Glen Johnson? The best beats the best? So why do you want someone who's got 3 defeats in his last 6 fights Enzo? That doesnt make any sense does it?

Sorry, I know he's not going to read it but had to get it off my chest, this slimey little runt needs his faced caved in quick smart. A cunt of a man, he's got way way to mouthy due to a big of acclaim last year.

[Sarb]

Im afraid Jones Jr isn't the best fight out there. HE's talking ****. Fair enough if he doesn't want to fight Pavlik in his last fight. But Enzo shouldn't come out and say Pavlik don't deserve it...bull****.

[Chris]

I dont actually mind if he wants to fight Jones, as a boxing fan its ****e but it's up to him and his team and it'll be easy money so good luck to him but, It's the spin that makes me sick though, you have him and his old man now talking asif Jones is still in his prime and the best fighter in the world. Its insulting.

Even more so given Joe was calling Jones washed up a few years ago.