Boxerboy

Calzaghe is the Man! At the Hatton fight, the English were a disgrace, booing the U.S national anthem

According to a report in the South Wales Echo, the signing of the national anthems for both sides have been banned from the upcoming Bernard Hopkins-Joe Calzaghe showdown on April 19 in Las Vegas. Thousands of Welsh fans are making the trip across the ocean to support Calzaghe quest to win a title in his second weight division.

Promoters and the venue, want to avoid fights in the crowd over the possible boos that might shower either sides' national anthem. Insiders say the agreement was put in place due to the boos that showered the American national anthem when Ricky Hatton challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr. last December. Everyone involved wants to avoid a similiar incident or any possibility of retaliation for last year.

“I think the anthems have been knocked on the head just in case for this fight,” Calzaghe said. “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.”

Most Welsh boxing fans that spoke to the paper were upset because their star was being punished over something that was carried out by Hatton's fans, who are predominantly English.