The Case For Joe Calzaghe – Boxing

By M.T.H: Joe Calzaghe was one of the most accomplished fighters that Great Britain has ever produced, and the world has ever known. He was the model fighter of remarkable consistency, and one of the elite competitors of this or any generation. His achievements in the 168lbs division make him unquestionably the greatest Super-Middleweight ever.

Calzaghe won the first of his five world titles in 1997. It was in a fight against the former two-time World Champion and British legend, Chris ‘Simply the Best’ Eubank. Eubank was highly regarded by many. He was unbeaten as a Middleweight and had wins over Nigel Benn and Michael Watson on his illustrious record.

Although Calzaghe was still untested at the highest level going into the fight, he managed to drop Eubank in the first round and shock the world by winning a comfortable and unanimous decision. Calzaghe’s dynasty had begun…..

After two successful WBO title defence against a hungry young contender, Branko Sobot and a former opponent of both Eubank and Benn, Juan Ferreya, Calzaghe faced former WBC World Champion and domestic rival, Robin Reid. Calzaghe was able to overcome this tricky foe and win a split decision victory. Although, many people at ringside felt that Calzaghe was unlucky not to be awarded a unanimous decision victory by the judges on the night.

Calzaghe’s consistency would become one of his greatest attributes. He would go on to successfully defend his WBO World Championship on 21 different occasions. Some of his opponents were late replacements. They were not always great fighters, but most showed a keen sense of hunger, and a strong sense of desire to defeat Calzaghe and to take his belt back with them to their native country. Amongst the more tricky opponents Calzaghe faced during his WBO reign were former World Champions like Byron Mitchell, Ritchie Woodhall and Charles Brewer, as well as a tough British Champion in David Starie.

Another notable opponent was Mario Veit. Veit was young German who had earned his shot at the WBO title by amassing an unbeaten 30-0 record. Calzaghe put on a brief but masterful performance and won the fight via TKO in the very first round. Subsequent to his defeat at the hands of Calzaghe, Veit went on an unbeaten 15 fight streak which once again placed him in contention for a title challenge.

The rematch that everyone had been waiting for, would take place four years later in 2005. By this time a series of hand injuries had rendered Calzaghe as a slightly less accomplished puncher, and Veit was able to survive for six rounds, until finally succumbing to the Welshman’s onslaught.

Calzaghe built upon his early successes, and begin to look towards his first career defining fight. The fight would take place in 2005, just eight short years after winning his first World Championship.

His opponent on the night would be the fearsome, young and undefeated American, Jeff ‘Left Hook’ Lacy. Lacy was a betting favourite for the fight, and had recently defeated former Calzaghe foe, Robin Reed, and Super-Middleweight stalwart, Omar Sheika.

Although Calzaghe had some hand injury troubles in the build up that put his participation into question, the fight took place on a barmy March evening in Manchester, England. Calzaghe dominated the fight from start to finish and completely outclassed the tough Lacy. The Welshman eventually won a unanimous decision. In doing so he picked up another world title and the IBF Super-Middleweight Championship belt. He had also introduced himself in spectacular fashion to the important demographic of the American audience.

Capitalizing on his growing fame, Calzaghe faced contenders Peter Manfredo Jr. and Sakio Bika in his next two contests. He won both fights. Calzaghe then set his sights on unbeaten WBA and WBC World Champion Mikkel Kessler. The unification fight took place in front of 50,000 fans at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Calzaghe was given problems early on but managed to overcome the difficult Dane and unify the Super -Middleweight division, in some style, winning the third and fourth of his five World Championship belts.

Having accomplished this extraordinary feat of boxing unification, Calzaghe looked to America for his next challenge, which came in the shape of legendary fighter and modern great, Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins. Calzaghe had often been labeled as a ‘stay at home fighter’, despite the fact that twenty eight of his forty six fights took place outside of his native Wales.

The fight with Hopkins would take place in Las Vegas, USA at the weight limit of 175lbs for The Ring Magazine’s linear Light-Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Calzaghe was caught cold and sent to the canvass early on by a lucky blow from Hopkins. But by once again showing great resilience and determination, Calzaghe outfought and outworked Hopkins, and won the fight via split decision. Most ringside observers agreed with the judges and thought that Calzaghe clearly won the fight.

It was almost time for Calzaghe to call it a day and end his fabulous career, and what better way than to face another ring legend, Roy Jones Jr. at the boxing citadel of Madison Square Garden in New York City. Calzaghe was the easy winner on the night and was able to add another name to his glittering resume of forty six contests without defeat.

After years of hand injuries and extraordinary accomplishments, the time finally came for Calzaghe to hang up the gloves and announce to his tens of millions of fans that he was retiring from the sport of boxing.

Conclusion

Calzaghe won five world titles. He was a five-time World Champion. He unified the Super-Middleweight division and become the linear Light-Heavyweight Champion. His greatness has been proved beyond doubt, and his sporting legacy and permanent place in boxing history is secure.

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