Calzaghe vs Eastman - Why not? by Ronnie McCluskey Aug 5th 2004

As I sat considering potential all-British showdowns, this one resounded in my ears. Calzaghe.....Eastman....A world title fight between two capable, British fighters. Tell me that doesn't sell! I, for one, would love to see this fight happen. With the proper promotion, it could really capture the public's imagination. A struggling eccentric, who has never quite received the attention his talent deserves, against a brave Welsh champion. Two men with families to provide for, slugging it out for a healthy payday, in front of roaring support. Among British boxing aficionados, including myself, these two fighters are well respected for their talents. No one can deny that Calzaghe has a fistic gift. Similarly, it seems preposterous to argue that Howard Eastman is not a good fighter. Just ask William Joppy, who found himself on the canvas in round 12 against the Battersea Bomber. Sadly though, outside of Britain, these guys aren't particularly revered. I have stumbled across many messageboards, whose posters scoff at Calzaghe for his lack of ambition - namely that he has yet to showcase his skills overseas, against a live body. He has not attempted to unify, and seems content to defend his title against handpicked opposition - under the clever promotion of Frank Warren. (Of course, in Britain, he's regarded as a genuine world champion, a boxer we can be proud of.) As for Eastman, well, it's a sad story really. The guy has toiled and worked to be the fighter he is, with little reward. (Let me clarify that I'm speaking financially). He holds the British, European and Commonwealth championships at middleweight. He has beaten every man he's ever faced, with the exception of William Joppy. And that's hardly an embarassment, considering the latter was a three-time WBA champion and had the honour of once fighting for the undisputed title at 160 lbs. Even this fight was controversial, many feeling that Eastman deserved victory. As the years tick past, these fighters have to sacrifice certain attributes. I'm not saying they are nearing their demise but for a boxer, his prime usually occurs before he hits thirty. Eastman is 33, and Calzaghe is 31. What am I saying?, I hear you cry! These guys need to fight! I am sick of seeing Joe Calzaghe topping bills, fighting shopworn, unheard of European trash. I'm sick of seeing Eastman fight the best guys available to him, in a sham of a division, and continue to be eluded by Bernard Hopkins. I'm sick of seeing good fighters' skills go to waste against guys who don't deserve to share the ring with them. It's a discredit to the good old days, when two feared fighters sacrificed their records to slug it out and determine the better man. Nowadays, fighters want to avoid anything resembling risk, and collect a healthy pay cheque. Too many good fighters work their asses off to no avail. Howard Eastman needs this fight. Joe Calzaghe doesn't, but Eastman would be easily the best fighter he's fought, providing they meet. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!! Of course, these matters are never simple. Calzaghe is signed to Frank Warren, and Eastman is a Mick Hennessy fighter. These two rival promoters want what's in their fighters interests. Warren doesn't want to risk one of his main mealtickets, without a lot of ££££. This isn't a critisism, you see. It's business. Fair do's. Similarly, if Hennessey is going to put one of his best fighters in with a champion, at a higher weight, he's going to want a fair share of the purse. Also, there's a small matter of whether Eastman is going to fight at super-middleweight, or whether a catch-weight could be negotiated. These fighters are 8 lbs apart. Eastman fights at middleweight, whereas Calzaghe is and always has been, a super-middleweight. To me, this isn't a huge issue. Fighters who should usually avoid moving up in weight are those who dont take a good punch. Eastman isn't in this category. Furthermore, he is muscular, so I think his frame is apt to deal with bulking up. Another issue, is venue. Calzaghe loves to fight in Cardiff, Eastman typically prefers England. That can be arranged I'm sure, but now you have an idea of the problems this fight faces. But it would be great. I know that. You only need to watch a handful of fights involving Eastman or Calzaghe to know they'd create sparks. Eastman, the crafty boxer, a fast, iron-chinned veteran, against the Welsh lion Calzaghe, a true box-fighter. It'd be the first really exciting domestic clash since Eamonn Magee and Ricky Hatton squared off against one another. And it could sell out an arena, considering how popular Calzaghe is, and how many people would show up to witness a REAL fight. The first potentially competetive fight of Joe's for some time, I might add. Why not, eh? I think more people should think about this fight, because it's a goldmine. Look what happened when Benn and Eubank were thrown in together, or Watson and Nigel. We saw great, domestic scraps. We saw passion, fire...and that's what we'd see if these two met. Hennessey and Warren need to risk their big guns and set this up.

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