Welsh Anthem Ban For Calzaghe Vs Hopkins
Welsh boxing fans have been banned from singing their national anthem ahead of Joe Calzaghe’s fight with Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas on April 19th.
Traditionally boxing fights on both sides of the Atlantic are accompanied by rousing renditions of both competitors’ national anthems, but, in an unprecedented move, a contract has been put in place to stop any anthems during Calzaghe’s high-dollar American debut.
The decision has been made in order to avoid a repeat of the scenes that accompanied Ricky Hatton’s fight with Floyd Mayweather last December. Sections of British fans were widely criticised for booing the American anthem, an act Calzaghe himself was quick to condemn.
And, while the Newbridge-trained superstar said he didn’t expect the Welsh fans to follow suit, he supported the idea of canceling the anthems.
Bearing in mind the fight would have an American referee, Calzaghe said the risk of booing was one he was not prepared to take.
I think the anthems have been knocked on the head just in case for this fight
At the end of the day, it’s right because you can’t go booing their national anthem. I think that’s wrong.
We have an American referee so booing their anthem would be a bit like suicide really. I’m not saying the Welsh fans would do anything wrong but you have to be careful. I think it’s definitely the right decision. You can’t go booing anthems. Imagine if a few thousand Americans did that in Cardiff, it would all kick off.
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April 1st, 2008 at 5:30 am
A few thousand Americans in Cardiff - I can just imagine it, lol.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Looks like we got our anthems in the end, and we were respectful throughout the american anthem. Stark contrast to Hatton’s fans, I must say.
Sir Tom messed up a few words of the anthem mind, but all is forgiven, he apparently cancelled a gig to sing the anthem there for free. What a guy
June 19th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Thanks for the comments.
Yeah, Tom’s rendition was quite unique to say the least. In the arena we couldn’t tell he’d made a few mistakes, but listening online a few days later was actually quite funny!
Great fight and I’m looking forward to Joe’s final farewell. I wonder where and who he’ll fight next?
June 19th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Apparently it’ll be Vegas for business reasons (i.e. bigger purse). though to be honest I’d have hoped he’d have packed out Millennium Stadium, surely Hopkins provided an ample payday to retire on. Oh well, it’s fine for me to say that, I’m not the one with £10m being waved under my nose.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Yes, I’d heard Vegas mentioned again, but I’ve also heard rumours of Madison Square Garden.
Don’t think I could resist 10 million either
10 grand would do me nicely at the moment…