Boxing News Boxing News
WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe recorded title defense number 20 as “The Pride Of Wales” stopped Contender alumni Peter Manfredo in the third round at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Also on the bill, WBO Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli was even quicker, stomping out the thoroughly outclassed Bobby Gunn in the very first round, ex-British Champion Michael Jennings took away the WBU Welterweight title from Takaloo by unanimous decision.
Commonwealth Light Middle titlist Bradley Pryce retained his belt with a wide points decision over Ghanaian novice Thomas Awinbono, Gary Lockett held onto his WBU Middleweight crown with a three round stoppage over Lee Blundell, Tony Doherty stopped Taz Jones in the seventh round for the Celtic Welterweight title and lightweight Amir Khan stopped Steffy Bull in three.
In the main event, the mismatch tag that many had previously labeled the Calzaghe – Manfredo contest with came to fruition. After sizing up the American import in the first round, Calzaghe went to work in the second frame, using superior footwork and handspeed to keep Manfredo off balance, unsure of himself and hurt at times from full blooded body shots.
In the third, Calzaghe went to work, mounting a furious drive that saw the man from Newbridge, Wales back Manfredo into a corner and absolutely paint the overmatched “reality” TV star.
Calzaghe poured on the offense and had Manfredo covering, ducking and also, getting hit. The champion threw 96 punches in a half of a round and since Manfredo was unable to throw any shots of his own in reply during the shelling, the referee jumped in to stop the action at 1:30 of the third.
The stoppage appeared premature but it was also apparent that Manfredo wouldn’t be able to continue much longer against a bigger, stronger and more skillfull fighter who also held a tremendous advantage in speed of hand and foot.
Afterward, Calzaghe expressed a desire to go to America to face Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor, as well as face Mikkel Kessler in a super middleweight unification bout.
