Round by Round: Joe Calzaghe vs. Mario Veit.

Round one: The start of the round is slow as both fighters weigh up the obstacle in front of them. Calzaghe begins to out-jab the taller Veit. The action is subdued until a good exchange erupts at the two minute mark in which Veit lands a good right to Calzaghe’s face. Calzaghe responds with a vicious attacking

attempt with a lot of thrown punches but no telling damage done.

Score: Calzaghe-10-9.

Round two: Another close but decidedly more effective round for Calzaghe. Veit has already survived the point in which he was dismissed in the last fight and must be encouraged. No definitive advantages gained here but Calzaghe steals the round with better jab work and an altogether busier offense than his opponent.

Score: Calzaghe-10-9.

Read on for the rest of the fight and some intriguing quotes from Calzaghe and his promoter Frank Warren.

Round three: Calzaghe lands a right and two solid body blows. Calzaghe is trying to land his powerful straight left hand from his southpaw stance but Veit backs up to the ropes and initiates clinches. Calzaghe goes back to working the body and Veit gets in a left hand. More dominating work from Calzaghe sees him through here but the weight of taking the fight to a decision must weigh heavily in his mind.

Score: Calzaghe-10-9.

Round four: Calzaghe is throwing the straight left hand and right hook combination a lot. Calzaghe gets in with a good right hand once again and his combinations are landing well. Calzaghe is winning the round easily. Veit is hanging on for survival here as Calzaghe can hardly miss. Calzaghe lands a great overhand left. Veit receives several jabs before the round ends and seems to have suffered eye damage in the form of a small cut.

Score: Calzaghe-10-9.

Round five: Calzaghe is in total control of the fight now as Veit lookes shaken and unable to mount a serious offence. Suddenly, Calzaghe maneuvers into the perfect position and lands his huge southpaw left hand. Veit is down but gets back up to survive the round.

Score: Calzaghe-10-8.

Round six: Calzaghe knows he has his man hurt and goes in for the kill. Veit has worked so hard to get back into this position but it looks as if Calzaghe just has his number. Veit is taking a lot of punishment now. Veit goes down again but cannot survive the last onslaught as the referee steps in to stop the fight.

The winner by TKO in the sixth round, and STILL the WBO super middleweight champion of the world, Joe Calzaghe!

Joe Calzaghe quotes:

“I knew I had to win in style.”

“Mario Veit is a better fighter than the one I beat last time.”

“I had a bad performance last time and wanted to show the world I’m still number one.”

“Jeff Lacy is next; if he beats Robin Reid, I’ll knock him out.”

Frank Warren quotes.

“A great performance, he (Calzaghe) did well.”

“It’s Jeff Lacy next; if he beats Robin Reid, it’s a done deal.”

Rupert Wricklemarsh can be reached at taansend@yahoo.com