16.09.05 – By Tim Foley: Well, now that the rumors of Mikkel Kessler replacing Joe Calzaghe are starting to swirl, it seems like a good time to say that this fight would be more of a war than Lacy-Calzaghe. It’s time for a long overdue unification and since Calzaghe wants to keep wearing his Pampers by defending against blown up middleweights (and coincidentally injuring himself), Kessler is the man who is stepping up to request the challenge..
Although Joe Calzaghe has been the WBO Super Middleweight champion for nearly a decade, he has never stepped up the opposition against the elite contenders. He beat Chris Eubank, a superstar in his own right, to win the WBO title, but Eubank was 31 years old and had been in knock down, drag out wars for close to eight years when the fight was staged. Since then, Calzaghe has defended against guys named Branko Sobot, Rick Thornberry, David Starie, Mario Veit, Tocker Pudwill, Mger Mkrtchian, and most recently Evans Ashira to name a few. Who are these guys and what has Calzaghe really done to deserve this shot, let alone say that Jeff Lacy ducked him a few years back? Lacy was just beginning his pro career a few years back, and Calzaghe was a champ…wrong place, wrong time Joe!
Now, Mikkel Kessler (WBA Super Middleweight champ) has issued a very humble challenge to Lacy, the man boxing pundits recognize as the most dangerous man in the division. I have a great deal of respect for Kessler, not for issuing the challenge, but for the manner in which he did. He did it the way a true champion does; by respecting his opponent and explaining why people will want to see the fight. Let’s not get too caught up in saying that Lacy will demolish Kessler because most likely, he won’t. The big Dane is a man most people in the U.S. don’t know about due to his European lineage, but the man is certainly no pushover. His last defense against Anthony Mundine, regarded as one of the most rugged fighters in the division, was a virtual shutout.
Realistically, Mundine is no Jeff Lacy, but honestly…who is?
Lacy is the world recognized kingpin of the division. He is willing to fight on his opponent’s home turf due to his fearless nature. Thus far, he has walked through every challenge with ease and overpowering strength. Both fighters have sensational chins and tremendous punching power which makes for an entertaining bout.
Hopefully this fight between the Danish champ and the American champ will happen. Gary Shaw, Lacy’s promoter, has the power to make it happen because we all know Lacy will never back down from any challenge. Mikkel Kessler is a man who also does not bow down to any opposition and too has fought in his opponent’s hometown for recognition. Fight fans will want to see this war and those who don’t know Mikkel Kessler will when the fight concludes! In the immortal words of Mills Lane, “Let’s get it on!”