вторник, 18 сентября 2012 г.

Boxing: Ugly scenes as pin-ups collide.(Sport) - The Mirror (London, England)

JOE CALZAGHE and Robin Reid clashed last night over their pin- up boy looks.

Reid sneered after world title rival Calzaghe bizarrely claimed to be the better-looking of the two super-middleweights.

'It's not a fashion show - it's a fight,' said Reid.

'And he'll find that out on the night we meet.'

The pair will fight for Calzaghe's WBO world super-middleweight title in Newcastle on February 13.

It is one of the most eagerly awaited domestic fights for years. Both Welshman Calzaghe and Manchester-based Reid turned up in central London for a meeting to publicise their clash wearing full-length leather coats.

Calzaghe, whose most significant win was over Chris Eubank when he claimed his vacant crown last year, goaded Reid and said: 'I first predicted I'd knock him out in four rounds but now I think it will take only three.'

Reid, who lost his WBC version of the title in his third defence against Sugar Boy Malinga last December, hit back: 'Everyone has a weakness and if he says he's coming out blasting, that could be it. I am the underdog, but I enjoy that.'

Calzaghe is believed still to be bitter after missing out on the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where Reid fought brilliantly to win a bronze medal.

The winner of the Reid-Calzaghe grudge clash could take on Telford's Richie Woodhall in an all-British unification match clash - so long as the Midlander successfully defends his crown against Vicenzo Nardiello in January.

Promoter Frank Warren said: 'Britain has the best fighters in the world in the super-middleweight division. Calzaghe, Reid and Woodhall are all better than the American WBA champion Frankie Lilles.

'The meeting between Calzaghe and Reid really excites me because it's a great home-based clash and both fighters have so much to gain from winning.'