This is hopefully a warm-up defense before the big one against Jeff Lacy. Famous last words eh? Certainly in Joe’s case. Since winning the WBO title in 1997, the Welshman through one reason or another has seen chance after chance for a big match-up slip through his fingers. For instance, in 1999, he was a champion scheduled to make his first big U.S. appearance. It was to be on the under-card of the welterweight super-fight between Oscar de la Hoya and Felix Trinidad. Circumstances dictated otherwise though and Johnny Nelson took his place. Fast forward to 2004 and after a breathtaking defense against Byron Mitchell, Calzaghe should have met Glencoffe Johnson, the newly crowned light heavyweight champion. Again, the fight fell through and Johnson went on to knock out Roy Jones Jnr. Joe has also seen a big domestic match-up against Clinton Woods at light heavyweight fall through. So what of his defense against Evans Ashira?

We know little of Ashira in the U.K. and that’s what scares me. With only one defeat in twenty-five fights, the record is definitely impressive. Looking through his record there’s no names whatsoever of note. In fact, the only two names I did recognize on his record were boxers way past their prime in Anthony Ivory and Jorge Vaca. Also with only thirteen knockouts on his record, he doesn’t seem to carry any knockout power. Again for seem reason that scares me. You see, nothing’s definite with Joe until both men are in the ring and I’m certainly not looking past this bout for one second.

That said, I remember thinking the same thing prior to Joe’s rematch with Mario Veit this year and Joe was impressive then. The odds are overwhelmingly in the champion’s favor. Punching power and quality of opposition are certainly in the champions favor too. Realistically, Joe should not have any problems come next Saturday night but my main concern is that he comes through unscathed with no recurrence of past injuries that have hindered him. Calzaghe should blow Ashira out early to make the Lacy fight a reality.

As for the Lacy fight? With Joe’s past bad luck, I’m hoping and praying that both men find their way to London on November 5.

Click to read more boxing articles by Lee Bellfield

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