Calzaghe: “It’s a Joke To Think I’d Fight Froch”

After unifying the super middelweight titles recently. undefeated champion Joe Calzaghe was reportedly laughing to himself about a recent challenge from British super midddleweight champion Carl Froch. Calzaghe has said, “Coming off the biggest fight of my life and with my stock as high as it’s ever been, it’s a joke to think I’d fight Froch. Calzaghe was referring, of course, to his near shut out victory over Mikkel Kessler in Cardiff, a bout that turned out to be not even remotely compeitive, as Calzaghe used his superior speed, boxing ability and defense to box circles around the Danish Kessler.

Froch, 27, is coming off a TKO over Robin Reid, perhaps the best opponent of his career, and badly wants a shot at Calzaghe’s titles.

However, considering the fact that Froch is virtually unknown in the United States, and would bring in little interest other than amusement by a small fraction of diehard boxing fans, Calzaghe has declined the bout. Froch, it would appear, is just one of many of the legions of super middleweight fighters that would like to get a shot at Calzaghe, and the big money that would accompany a bout with him. It’s more likely that Calzaghe is through with fighting no-name fighters, like Peter Manfredo jr,, and will focus exclusively on the top guys.

Bernard Hopkins, the 42 year-old former undisputed middleweight champion, is what Calzaghe has his radar set on as his next opponent. Not that a bout with Hopkins will be any more interesting that one with Froch, mind you, but it will bring in more fans, many of them curious about how much Hopkins has left. Probably not enough to beat Calzaghe, but that’s not the point.