March 24, 2007


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WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has hit back at Peter Manfredo Jnr's claims that he will knock him out when they meet on April 7 at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff.

Contender runner-up Manfredo also branded Calzaghe a slapper, questioned whether he was a legend and said his reign as a world champion would be ended in front of his own fans in a fortnight's time.

" To be honest, I've heard it all before," said Calzaghe, who aims to make the 20th defence of his world title and equal the record of Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins.

" Manfredo can talk a good fight but it's one thing to shout your mouth off in the build up, but another to produce the goods in the ring. I think he's getting worried and that's why he's trying to run me down.

" It doesn't fire me up or anything like that, just makes me laugh really. The facts speak for themselves. I've been a world champion for nearly 10 years and this is my 20th defence.

" Like everyone else who has come into the ring thinking they are going to beat me, Manfredo will go home defeated. I'm going to knock him out and then I'm going after Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins.

" I've knocked out 31 opponents, which isn't bad for a slapper, and on April 7 Manfredo will be number 32."

The 34-year-old Welshman, 42-0, added that he is looking forward to appearing in front of what will now be a record crowd for an indoor boxing event in the UK, with 30,000 tickets already sold.

" The atmosphere will be electric, and the response of the fans has been fantastic," said Calzaghe. "I know a lot of people have spent good money on tickets, and they won't be going home disappointed.

" I feed off the atmosphere and Manfredo's got it coming to him. When I make my entrance to the ring it's going to be something special, and I'll return the favour to the fans by putting on a special display."

Calzaghe will kill Manfredo. The man is a monster, and back in Cardiff- my former home- he will be on top form.

Manfredo is living in a dream world if he thinks he is fit to even step in his shadow. Joker.

March 28, 2007
by Peter Mark Heintzelman

The WBO Super Middleweight Title is at stake on April 7, when "The Pride of Providence," Peter Manfredo Jr. battles the undefeated "Pride of Wales," Joe Calzaghe.

Peter Manfredo, Jr., held his last formal press conference this past Thursday, on his own home turf of Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. For years, Manfredo has punched the dog-eared heavy and speed bags, skipped miles of rope, and sparred uncountable rounds in his father's gym, to prepare for an opportunity at a world title belt.

Manfredo has gown up under the seasoned tutelage of his father, Peter Manfredo, Sr., who is both his manager and trainer for this fight. Freddie Roach, who had been training Manfredo, is out of the picture for this title bout, as he prepares Oscar De La Hoya for his showdown with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., on May 5.

A graduate from "The Contender," Manfredo came away with more than just the national exposure all pro boxers long for; he came away with a major fan, advisor, and mentor, the one and only Sugar Ray Leonard, a world champ himself in five divisions.

At his last American press conference, Manfredo took time to speak to FightNews about his fight across the Pond:

Peter, how does it feel to be back in Pawtucket, in your father's gym, where it all began and what memories of your time in this gym will you carry with you into Calzaghe's backyard?

Well, my mind is focused on how to win this fight. I started off with Jimmy Burchfield and his CES Boxing team, and give Jimmy a lot of credit for where I am now. You know, my second home is Los Angeles right now, Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym. Since I've been there, I've become a different fighter. I went to the next level. Right here, I just bring it back, everything I've learned there, and help these young kids out, with the talent I've learned out there. But, it’s nice to come home to see my family and my kids for a couple of days, to give the media what they've wanted, a public workout here. I’m ready to win this fight and defend it back here in Providence with a rematch, if he wants one. That's after I bang him out!

Although Freddie Roach is unavailable to train you for this fight, what have you learned from him that you have applied to your game in preparation for your fight on April 7?

Well just the game plan that we worked on, you know, I'm going to box this guy. He's never fought a boxer who wanted to go to the body a lot. I'm going to give him a lot of feints that he's never seen before, you know, everything that (Jeff) Lacy didn't do. Lacy just went in there to knock this kid out, and he failed. So, we want to box this guy; we want to show him something that he’s never seen, and my father, and Sugar Ray Leonard is going to be in my corner in place of Freddie Roach, and we're all on the same page, we all have the same game plan, and that's to box.

You have always seemed more than comfortable with your father in your corner, who has brought you to the pinnacle of your profession; what impact has your father had on your life and your boxing career in particular?

Well, I probably wouldn't be a fighter if it weren't for him. I was born in the gym. I've been training all my life. Because of boxing, I have a beautiful house, a beautiful wife; I've got money. I've got things because of this sport, so my father is everything.

When are you taking off to Wales?

On Friday, March 23.

Calzaghe, being boxing's longest reigning undefeated southpaw, defending his world belt on his own turf, what have you done to specifically prepare for this fight?

Well, I'm working on the game plan, which is to box. I'm going there, I'm not afraid, I want to become a champion. I'm hungry, you know, he's never fought a guy like me. He's never fought a guy like me, with my hunger. I don't care if I have to go overseas to fight him. This is going to be on HBO, and people are going to see it, and I'm not worried about getting robbed over there. I'm going over there to do my work – do my job – I believe I can knock him out. I believe I have the power to knock him out. If you’ve seen my last two fights, I've been the strongest I've ever been at this weight class. And, I'm going in there with supreme confidence. I know I can beat this guy!

What has it done for your psyche, to have the five-division former world champ, Sugar Ray Leonard in your corner and what credit do you give to Sugar Ray for the opportunities that are before you now?

Well, it’s been awesome. He wants to work my corner. You know, Sugar Ray is a legend, so just by him being in my corner gives me the extra confidence. Maybe, if he tells me something that maybe my father doesn't see, or anything like that, I listen to him, because he's Sugar Ray Leonard, you know what I mean? He's great, so, it’s just an honor to have him in my corner, and I'm glad he wants to work with me. We've become good friends; he's come to the gym to watch me work out a couple of times. He knows I'm going to do it. I feel I'm going to do it, and everyone around me is confident. It's a pleasure to have him there, and I know, it will help me out.

Are you at your peak now? What is your prediction for your title bout with Calzaghe?

I would say I'm in my prime right now. You know, I'm 26 years old, and since I've been with Freddie Roach, I've taken it to the next level. My position is just to go in there and win. I think I'm going to put him down, and he's going to get up, because he's the world champion, but I'm going to fight hard, and I'm gonna be the new champion come April 7!

If Calzaghe were present today, here in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, what would you say to him about what he better be ready to handle in Wales?

Well, he better be a hungry fighter. You know, I think he's looking past me a little. He's talking about big fights with like Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor after this fight. He better be worried about me! I'm an up and comer. I'm ready. I'm on his level, and I'm going to come and beat him. I'm hungry. I want this, so I think he's realizing that, and if he doesn't know, after the first or second round, he will!

HBO will broadcast the title fight live, from the Millennium Stadium, in Cardiff, Wales, beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 2 p.m. Pacific Time, rebroadcasting at 10 pm on both Eastern and Pacific times. Ticket sales have reportedly exceeded 30,000!

The conference includes Sugar Ray, Peter Jr & Sr, Jeff Wald, Calzaghe and Frank Warren.

http://www.Pound4Pound.com/Interview/Audio/CalzagheManfredoTeleconference*****

Found this on Sergio's forum. Goddamn it. I fuckin hate sergio. He ducked JT and is a bitch to manfredo who atleast had balls to stand up to JoeCalzaghe. I wish him luck. War Peter!!!

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2861/contendacd1.jpg

:lol:

Link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6524173.stm

Manfredo inspired by Raging Bull

Manfredo longs to join the legends of the fight game
Peter Manfredo Jr says a style modelled on boxing legend Jake LaMotta will help him dethrone Joe Calzaghe.

The challenger for Calzaghe's WBO title at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday has been nicknamed 'LaMotta' in the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.

That is based on his bustling style, Italian-American ancestry - and the 26-year-old's supposed hard head.

"See LaMotta in Raging Bull and it's me - just without the brutal part with his wife and all that nonsense," he said.


I have a shot to be up there with the Jake LaMotta's if I beat Calzaghe

Peter Manfredo Jr

"I'm a throw back to the old school days. I'll fight anybody, anywhere, anytime.

"I just want a shot at the world title. How many people get a shot at the world title in this game?

"And not only that, I have a shot to be up there with the Jake LaMotta's if I beat this guy.

"The pressure is definitely on him, I'm going into his back yard in front of 35,000 people screaming his name."

Rhode Islander Manfredo holds a record of 26-3 (12 KOs), with impressive third-round stoppages of Joe Spina and Scott Pemberton in his last two fights.

But he is most famous for being the runner-up in the first US series of boxing reality TV show The <b>Contender</b>, and will be a huge underdog against Calzaghe.


LaMotta's autobiography was made into a film by Martin Scorcese

The American's record bears little resemblance to compatriot LaMotta, a true boxing great who was the subject of Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull, the film of the fighter's autobiography.

Calzaghe, 35, will be making the 20th defence of his title, and will equal the record of ring legends Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins if he wins.

"There is pressure on every single defence of my title and I think pressure is a good thing," said the Newbridge man, who holds a record of 42-0 (31 KOs).

"Look at Tyson losing to Douglas, Hagler losing to Leonard, and Lewis losing to Rahman. The favourites in those fights took it for granted that they were the best.

"One of my strengths is that I don't take any fighter lightly. I take them all very seriously indeed. Peter has a massive opportunity - the opportunity of a lifetime."

secondsout.com


Is Respect Around The Corner For Manfredo Jr?

By Ray Kilgore: Peter Manfredo has developed his boxing skills since aged seven, so, you can understand how frustrated he feels when the boxing media blows him off as just another ‘opponent’ for Joe Calzaghe, 42-0 (31) ,when they meet on a HBO televised World Championship boxing card on Saturday (April 7) night.

If the Providence Rhode Island native watched the Mikkel Kessler-Librado Andrade fight a few weeks ago, he might have tossed the TV out of his hotel room.

During the telecast, Max Kellerman, Emaunel Steward, and Bob Papa sounded like cheerleaders; they talked how Kessler had a good chance to upset Calzaghe if the two meet giving little thought to the role Manfredo, 26-3 (12), might play in Kessler-Calzaghe not happening. If fans didn’t know better, they may be forgiven for thinking Manfredo may pull a Ray Austin and fall out the second Calzaghe lands a punch.

Manfredo sees Calzaghe playing into the media’s opinion as well, “I think he’s taking me lightly and doesn’t respect me. Come fight night I’m goanna show Calzaghe some fuckin’ stuff.”

Manfredo gained a name from The Contender Season One; he entered the show undefeated and world ranked certain he’d win the million dollar prize; the only difficult part from Manfredo’s view was: how to hold on to the money before the check reached the bank.

Manfredo not only failed to win, he received his first professional lost to Alfonso Gomez on the show. The 26-year rematched Gomez and won setting up a fight between him and Sergio Mora. Mora won a unanimous decision and Manfredo left the reality series for good.

The problem was fight fans didn’t take boxers on the show seriously; bouts were edited for TV, and the number of rounds the men fought was reserved for beginning fighters, so Manfredo may have lost credibility in the process.

“Those guys lived together every day and knew what each other did morning, noon and night," reveals Peter Manfredo Sr. "I think the show was both good and bad."

Calzaghe will be Manfredo’s third foe at the 168 pound division But he’s not concerned, "I never had any doubt. I sparred with guys who were light heavy weights." Manfredo Sr adds, "A lot of guys don’t have the determination or skill he [Jr.] has. He says he can handle the weight I gotta go by what he says.”

Manfredo started training in California at the end of January to give himself the best possible shot.

Manfredo’s head trainer Freddy Roach is busy with the number of fighters he’s currently training. Manfredo Sr. admits Roach broke camp with Manfredo Jr. in early March to work with Oscar De La Hoya in Puerto Rico. Still, Manfredo Sr. knows what needs to be done, “We worked hard in the gym. Roach has the game plan mapped out and we just follow it.”

35,000 fans are expected to pack Cardiff, Wales to root for hometown Calzaghe while in the process trying to get into Manfredo’s head. The fight will mark Calzaghe’s 20th defense should he win.

“I think he thinks he’s so good after he beat [Jeff] Lacy. He’s basically the same fighter he’s been before,” argues Manfredo. “That’s one fight he [Calzaghe] looked superior and Lacy was the perfect opponent. Every boxer has that one guy that makes him look great.” Lacy looked like a confused four-year old child fighting a man; Calzaghe gave Lacy a physical and mental spanking for 12 one-sided rounds.

“Lacy seemed like he was tired after the first round trying to throw one big shot,” Manfredo Jr. says laughing, “He didn’t show him anything! Just one big shot at a time. Calzaghe won’t knock me out because I’m Italian and got the [Jake] Lamotta Chin.”

Manfredo’s wife Yamika, and their two daughters motivates the fighter, but for the Calzaghe fisticuffs, Manfredo, whose wife is pregnant, says his unborn son fires him up for this fight, "I can wait to show my son that daddy was a world champion. I’ve got two girls, but there’s nothing like finally getting a boy."

Manfredo doesn’t like the thought of his son boxing, but if the boy insists, he’ll support him. Manfredo Sr. knows how Jr. feels, "You don’t want to see your son get hurt. You can die in there [the ring] but I’ve learned how to control my emotions a little more."

Manfredo plans to leave the sport for good when his career is done, “I don’t want to work with fighters because I don’t want to get the urge to fight again.” He hopes to open a memorabilia store where locals can come see his accomplishments as a fighter. For now, Manfredo’s focus is bringing the titles home. If Manfredo defeats Calzaghe, he won’t have to worry about respect for the time being because it will automatically be given to him.

Joes at an age where he's ready to be knocked off by a young gun.I don't know that Manfredo is the man to do it though.
Joe actually spouted off something about Kessler in a recent interview saying that he's another Jeff Lacy & he'll take care of him.
Comparing Kessler to Lacy is way off the mark IMO.I just hope he steps up & fights him then he'll quickly find out that Kessler is no Lacy.

JOE CALZAGHE'S TALK SHOW
Nat Gottlieb on the trials of British fighters crossing over the Atlantic and talks to Lennox Lewis on whether or not it's as important today as it was yesterday.

Lennox Lewis and Joe Calzaghe have a few things in common. Both are British. Both have been world champions. Both are considered all-time British greats. And there the comparison stops. In terms of the way the world regards these two fighters, there is literally an ocean separating them.

Although Brits have had a spotty record when crossing the Atlantic, beginning with their first attempt to fight in the States in 1776, Lewis successfully conquered America.

After winning the super heavyweight gold medal at the 1988 Olympics -- the only Brit heavyweight to do so in the 20th Century -- Lewis fought 12 of his first 15 fights in England, two in Canada and one in the States. Then, after beating Tommy Morrison in Atlantic City in 1995, Lewis fought 13 of his last 15 fights in U.S, defeating the best of his generation.



"When I started boxing, the general attitude was that if you wanted to be a true world champion, you had to fight in America," said Lewis, an HBO commentator. "Even the British press focused that way. In order to be recognized by the fraternity of boxing around the world, you had to come to America and be judged by American crowds and writers."Lewis is considered one of the world's all-time greats.

On the other hand, Calzaghe, the long- reigning super middleweight champion from Wales, is 42-0 and has fought 39 of his fights in either England or Wales. He ventured from home for one fight each in Scotland -- he could have ridden his bicycle there -- Germany and Denmark.

Not coincidentally, no one has yet proclaimed Calzaghe one of the world's all-time greats.

The generally accepted opinion is that until Calzaghe fights in the U.S., he will never gain the kind of world status normally given to an unbeaten fighter with 19 straight successful title defenses, a feat surpassed only by five boxers: Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes 20; super middleweight Sven Otke 21; light heavyweight Dariusz Michaelczewski 23, and Joe Louis 25.

Lewis, however, is not so sure he agrees with the notion that Calzaghe must fight in the U.S. Although Lewis has personally urged Calzaghe to come to America, he admits to having ambivalent feelings about how necessary it is for his countryman's legacy.

"When I started boxing, the general attitude was that if you wanted to be a true world champion, you had to fight in America," said Lewis, an HBO commentator. "Even the British press focused that way. In order to be recognized by the fraternity of boxing around the world, you had to come to America and be judged by American crowds and writers."

Lewis, who retired in 2003 after successfully defending his championship against Vitali Klitschko, doesn't feel that kind of thinking is as relevant today.

"I am starting to wonder a bit if people really have to go to America because there are so many champions in Europe," Lewis said. "The money is not the issue, because a European boxer can fight at home, have a big and loyal following like Joe and the money will be very good. The whole money landscape is changing in Europe because networks are making deals with other networks to buy the distribution rights."

For several years, Calzaghe has been talking the talk about crossing the Atlantic, but has yet to make the walk. After he stunned American fans by demolishing fellow champion Jeff Lacy last year in a fight televised in the States, Calzaghe had the perfect springboard to cross the Atlantic with some buzz. But, instead, Calzaghe chose a stay-at-home fight against Glen Johnson, which was scheduled for July 8 before Joe pulled out with another of his career-long nagging injuries. When Calzaghe finally made it into the ring last year in October, it was in Manchester against little-known Sakio Bika. Same old Joe, the tough Brit media said.

Meanwhile, his promoter Frank Warren says he had tried to make fights with Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins when both were in their prime, but negotiations fell through -- largely it is believed because the powerful promoter wanted the Americans to fight in England.

Last December there was seemingly credible talk of Calzaghe fighting this summer against middleweight champ Jermain Taylor in America. Taylor's promoter, Lou DiBella, said he had talked to Warren and both were on the same page for the fight. Then, after a draw with Winky Wright and a victory over blown-up junior middleweight Kassim Ouma -- two fights in which Taylor did not appear to make much headway in polishing his flaws -- suddenly Calzaghe fell off DiBella's radar.

Calzaghe, however, continued to talk up America. He told the British media that he was trying to make fights with Hopkins, who had announced he was coming out of retirement, and also against Jones, who appears to be fighting in a permanent state of retirement. Jones balked, and Hopkins walked when he took a fight this summer with Calzaghe's fourth American choice, Winky Wright.

One is tempted to cue up the 1960 hit song by Joe Jones:

"You talk too much you worry me to death,
You talk too much, you even worry my pet
You just talk, talk too much"

At least now there is a ticking clock on Joe Calzaghe's talkathon. While nobody has ever beaten the 35-year-old Wales fighter, Father Time could win a technical decision against Calzaghe's "dream" of fighting in the States.

Last year Calzaghe told the British Boxing Writer's Club at a luncheon in his honor that he wants to fight just three or four more times before retiring. Recently, he told the Wales website, icWales, that he was losing hope of ever getting a chance to fight in America. In so saying, he tempered his frustration by getting in line with Lewis's thinking: Calzaghe acknowledged it was no longer such a great priority.

"There wouldn't be a massive gulf missing in my career if I didn't fight in the States," Calzaghe said. "I'd like to fulfill a dream and fight at Madison Square Garden or in Las Vegas. If the fight can't be made, however, then so be it. The fighting world has changed anyway. America isn't what it used to be -- it's not the superpower of boxing anymore."

Comparing Lewis' journey to Calzaghe's may also be somewhat unfair. Both come from very different backgrounds.

Calzaghe was born in England, raised in Wales and has lived most of his life in that country. Lewis was also born in London, but his family moved to Canada when he was 12. He fought as an amateur out of Canada, traveling the world and making several trips south to the States for tournaments. Lewis said all the traveling gave him a broader view of the world than Calzaghe.

"Joe has had no exposure to the world," said Lewis, who currently lives in Florida. "I traveled around the world as an amateur and it opens up your mind to see the way different people live. Fighting in all those tournaments in different countries made me realize how much more there is to boxing."

When it came time to turn pro, Lewis returned to England, largely because hockey is the undisputed champion in Canada. Fighting in England, Lewis admits he felt the same kind of comfort zone as Calzaghe and fellow Brit champion, Ricky Hatton. But Lewis knew he couldn't remain a homebody and realize his full potential.

"When I fought my early bouts in England, I was perceived as a British boxer," Lewis said. "It was said that I would fight horizontal and that my skill level would not be as good as Americans. America was thought of as the Mecca of boxing. I knew if I wanted to be the best in the world, that meant I had to go anywhere in the world. That's one of the reason I went to Africa (a loss to Hasim Rahman in South Africa). I wanted to follow Ali's path, the way he fought in Zaire."

Another difference in their careers was the state of the division each has fought in.

"When I was fighting, all the heavyweight stars were in America, so I had to go," said Lewis, who would achieve worldwide acclaim for beating Evander Holyfield after a first fight draw, and later score an 8th round knockout of Mike Tyson.

Although Americans never seemed to completely warm up to Lewis, they did pay to see him. Lewis sold out a half-dozen megabucks shows in Las Vegas, six in Atlantic City and three in New York. His fight with Tyson in 2002 had a near record 1,930,000 pay-per-view buys, second only to the 1997 rematch between Holyfield and Tyson, which sold 1,990,000. Lewis-Tyson still holds the record for highest grossing pay-per-view fight, $112 million.

Unlike the cavalcade of stars Lewis had to pick from, the super middleweight division has been devoid of big names since the early 1990s, when James Toney, Britain's Nigel Benn, Michael Nunn and Jones held titles. Jones, who was super middleweight champ from 1994-96 before moving up to light heavyweight, is the last elite, internationally recognized fighter to have fought at 168 pounds.

"The super middleweight division is sparse," Calzaghe said. "The problem is America has no top super-middleweights. Lacy was the man. He ruled the castle, but I completely destroyed him and there's no one left."

Peter Manfredo Jr. might disagree with that. The former "Contender" TV series star has a date with Calzaghe April 7 on HBO's World Championship Boxing, and has vowed to knock the champion out. And oh yes, that fight is in Wales.

The only "big" bout on Calzaghe's horizon would seem to be with unbeaten champion Mikkel Kessler of Denmark, who disposed of his mandatory, Librado Andrade, in impressive fashion March 24 on HBO.

But here's the rub. Of Kessler's 39 fights, all but two have been in his native country. Like Calzaghe, the 28-year-old Dane so far has been a homebody. To his credit, however, Kessler has said many times he would love to fight in America. Then again, so has Joe.

Both champions have also stated firmly that they would not travel to the other's country for the fight. Even before negotiations can begin for a possible showdown, Calzaghe already has his talking points down:

"Americans want fighters they know, and they don't know Kessler," Calzaghe said. "Kessler doesn't want to leave Denmark and I'm not fighting over there. If he'd come to Wales, maybe. If America wanted me to fight Kessler (in the States), I'd do it."

Cue up the Joe Jones song again, please.

COMPUBOX PRE-FIGHT ANALYSIS
Photos by Bob Canobbio/CompuBox

Calzaghe, 42-0, 31 KOs, making the 20th defense of his version of the super middleweight title, a 8-1 favorite over Manfredo, 26-3, 12 KOs, in his first championship fight.

A crowd of 30,000-plus is expected at the open-air Arms Park Stadium, site of Lennox Lewis' seventh round ko win over Frank Bruno on 10/1/93. That heavyweight championship fight drew an estimated crowd of 40,000.

Calzaghe, who won that vacant belt on 10/11/97 with a decision win over British folk hero Chris 'Simply The Best' Eubank, is currently boxing's longest reigning champion (9 1/2 years). Sven Ottke holds the record for successful super middleweight defenses with 21. The all-time record for successful defenses is 25, by Joe Louis, who also has the longest reign of any champion, 11 yrs., 9 mos. Calzaghe's 9 1/2 yr. reign is number four all-time.

Super Joe made his U.S. television debut on March 4, 2006 in a unification fight vs. the then undefeated Jeff Lacy. It was all Calzaghe, as he outlanded Lacy 351-116 in total punches. Calzaghe landed 37% of his 79 total punches thrown per round and 41% of his power shots. Calzaghe's constant pressure (he also avg'd 22 jabs thrown per round) allowed Lacy to get off just 37 total punches per round. The badly-beaten Lacy went down in the 12th and landed just 26% of his total punches. Scoring: 119-105; 119-107; 119-107.

Last October, Calzaghe in a flat performance, landed 30% of his 51 punches per round enroute to a decision win over the 20-1-2 Sakio Bika. The physical Bika landed just 24% of his 45 punches thrown per round. Calzaghe showboated early. He was also cut over the left eye from a Bika head butt in round four. Bika lost a point in the fifth after another head butt. Scoring: 117-110; 117-110 & 116-111.

In his 10/22/04 defense vs. the 23-3 (12) Kabary Salem, Calzaghe rebounded from a fourth round knockdown to win a comfortable 116-109; 117-109 & 118-107 decision. Calzaghe was also down in the second round of his successful defense vs. former 168-lb champ Byron Mitchell, who was also dropped in the second and wasn't able to continue.

Calzaghe's closest call was a split decision win over fellow-Brit and over achiever Robin Reid on 2/13/99. Reid won a version of the 168-lb title in 1996 with a 7th round ko over Vincenzo Nardiello. Reid also lost title fights vs. Thulane Malinga, Silvio Branco, Sven Ottke and was ko'd in eight rounds by Lacy in August of '05.

Manfredo gained notoriety not in victory, but in defeat. Fighting in LA, in a rematch of The Contender finale vs. hometown favorite Sergio Mora, Manfredo had a 188-133 edge in punches landed, yet found himself on the short end of a 77-75 (2x) Mora, 77-75 Manfredo split decision loss. He outlanded Mora in all eight rounds, averaging 74 punches thrown per round to 52 per round for Mora.

Five months earlier, with $1 million on the table for the winner, Manfredo was outlanded 168-108 by Mora in final match of The Contender tournament. Both fighters averaged 71 punches thrown per round, but Manfredo was able to land an average of one jab per round, throwing 11 per round.

Manfredo scored a pair of third round KOs in 2006 over a pair of fellow- New Englanders. In October he stopped cross-town rival Joey Spina eight months after icing the absorbent Scott Pemberton.

In May of '04, Manfredo landed 36% of his 60 punches per round enroute to a twelve round decision win over Anthony Bonsante. Manfredo also landed 50% of his power shots (216 of 435) vs. Bonsante, who lost a nine round technical decision to John Duddy on 3/16/07. Bonsante was also ko'd in five rounds by Allan Green on 7/21/06.

To say the cards are stacked against Manfredo is an understatement. He's fighting his first title fight, and it's on Calzaghe's hometurf, with a crowd of 30,000-plus expected. Calzaghe's the better boxer and the naturally bigger man. Manfredo has fought seven fights at 154-lbs, while Calzaghe's fought his entire 13 1/2 yr. career at 168 lbs. Youth may be on Manfredo's side, he's 26, Calzaghe's 35- that's his only advantage. He needs to be physical like Bika and turn this into a street fight, but doesn't hit hard enough (12 KOs in 29 fights) to get the job done.

Calzaghe wants to make a statement in front of his adoring fans and erase any after thoughts from his mediocre performace vs. Bika. He also wants to send a message to the other 168-lb champ, Mikkel Kessler, who looked dominate in his one-sided decision win over Librado Andrade last week.

Calzaghe, by late round stoppage, setting up a 168-lb Unification Super Fight with Kessler.

http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2007/0407_calzaghe_manfredo/columns/press_conference.html

http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2007/0407_calzaghe_manfredo/columns/training.html

Pics of Calzaghe Manfredo Press Confrence and Manfredo Workout

THE FIVE BEST SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS EVER
by William Dettloff

Newcomers to the sport wouldn't know unless you told them that the super middleweight division is a fairly recent invention. Its first champion wasn't crowned until March 28, 1984, when Murray Sutherland decisioned Ernie Singletary over 15 rounds in Atlantic City, New Jersey to win the IBF title. With only 23 years of history behind it, there haven't been many great, dominant fighters. You won't find any Sugar Ray Robinsons or Jack Dempseys or Henry Armstrongs in the division's past.

Also, historically, American fighters have seen super middleweight as a division to stop at briefly after fighting at middleweight, and before moving on to light heavy. Few worthwhile American fighters have made 168 their long-term home. European fighters, on the other hand, particularly in England, have never had such qualms about 168 and enjoyed long stays at or near the top of the weight class.

None of this is to say there haven't been some very good fighters at 168. There absolutely have been, and there are right now. What follows is a look at the five best fighters in the division's comparatively brief history. Note that this ranking is based almost entirely on the business that got done at super middleweight. Work done in other divisions doesn't count.



He didn't have Joe Calzaghe's winning streak or Sven Ottke's skills. He didn't have Roy Jones' effortless genius or the working class charisma of Steve Collins. What did he have? A hell of a punch, real self-belief and a willingness to put himself in there with good fighters. Nigel Benn WBC Champion 1992-'96

Benn's four-year reign as the WBC champion and nine defenses against reasonably good challengers make a strong case for his placement at the top of the list of great super middleweights. He didn't have Joe Calzaghe's winning streak or Sven Ottke's skills. He didn't have Roy Jones' effortless genius or the working class charisma of Steve Collins. What did he have? A hell of a punch, real self-belief and a willingness to put himself in there with good fighters.

Benn's courage was never more evident than in his wild, brutal and ultimately tragic brawl with American Gerald McClellan, when he was knocked out of the ring in the first round, floored in the eighth, and stormed back to stop the murderous-punching McClellan in the 10th. But Benn's willingness to face good, tough fighters had been established already, when he fought Chris Eubank twice and Iran Barkley and Doug DeWitt (the latter two at middleweight). Even when he was on the way out he twice fought Collins. That he lost both doesn't help him, but that he faced him when even he had to know he was past his prime clearly helps.

Benn was far from perfect; the best he could manage against Eubank was a draw, and he could be outhusled and outboxed. He also fought his share of no-hopers, such as Vincenzo Nardiello and Nicky Perez, Henry Wharton and Lou Gent. But unlike others of his era, he didn't flinch at a real challenge. That goes a long way.

Chris Eubank 1985-'98

If eccentricity counted for anything, Eubank would be at the top of this collection. He was as strange in the ring as he was good, and that's saying something. For all his oddities, Eubank could fight. It's unfortunate that for almost his entire career he, like Joe Calzaghe, defended the belt of a particularly worthless sanctioning body, but he did it with vigor and against decent fighters. For example, Eubank twice fought Benn, stopping him in 1990 (when both were middleweights) and drawing with him in the rematch (at super middleweight) in 1993 in front of 42,000 fans at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester.

It wasn't only Benn that Eubank took on. He twice beat Michael Watson (the second fight ended tragically when Watson suffered life-altering injuries), and also beat Thulani Malinga, Tony Thornton, Lindell Holmes, and was the first man to be Graciano Rocchigiani. It doesn't help Eubank that he never fought in America and fought few American fighters. Ultimately, that's what lands him under Benn, who tested himself outside Europe much more frequently. Still, consider this: all five of Eubank's career losses came in the last three years before he retired; two to Steve Collins, one to Calzaghe, and two to Carl Thompson in an ill-advised move to cruiserweight. That's impressive stuff.



He was breathtaking, and if he'd decided to stay at 168 instead of moving up, he'd be at the top of this list and it wouldn't be close. Roy Jones IBF Champion 1994-'96

Jones got his most enduring work done at light heavyweight, and his relatively brief stint as a 168-pounder will likely be overlooked to some degree when historians debate his impact and merit. Still, his legacy at super middleweight presents an interesting dichotomy: it was when he ran through many of his least deserving challengers - Antoine Byrd, Vinny Pazienza, Tony Thornton, for example - but also when he was at his most sublime.

You might see those two as intertwined: Of course he looked brilliant; he was fighting stiffs. That's a logical conclusion, but a wrong one. He beat several good fighters at the weight, among them James Toney, who was regarded as probably the best fighter in the world, and Eric Lucas, who was viewed rather as a joke at the time, but later established himself as a pretty respectable titlist. And Merqui Sosa was a crude but tough contender.

Jones at 168 was little like the pacifist he was to become at light heavyweight. At super middleweight he stood in the pocket and blazed away and it shows in his record; six of his seven wins were by knockout, four before the fourth round. It hurts him that he never fought the other very good super middleweights of the time, such as Benn and Eubank. But if you saw him at 168 you know why he's here: he did things in there we never saw other fighters do. He was breathtaking, and if he'd decided to stay at 168 instead of moving up, he'd be at the top of this list and it wouldn't be close.

Joe Calzaghe World Champion 2006-Present

For 10 years Calzaghe has held a title that informed observers do not recognize as legitimate. The resulting confusion around his championship status is due more to the sport's deplorable mishmash of sanctioning body chaos than it is to any serious lack of accomplishment on his part. In fact, his brilliant win over Jeff Lacy in March 2006 earned him the legitimate world title as recognized by The Ring magazine and at this writing he is viewed almost universally as the best in the division.

Regardless of the error in judgment he made 10 years ago when he hitched his horse to a cart unworthy of his talent, Calzaghe is 42-0 (31) going into his bout with Peter Manfredo, a fact which cannot be ignored. One can argue that until he beat Lacy in a career-defining win, Calzaghe had feasted primarily on slightly worn Americans such as Charles Brewer, Omar Sheika and Byron Mitchell, and second-raters such as David Starie, Mario Veit and Kabary Salem.

Calzaghe gets credit for wins over Robin Reid, Richie Woodhall, a used up Eubank and others, but may be forever undermined by the fact he faced none of the stars of the era that were around his weight: Jones, Bernard Hopkins, Antonio Tarver, division rival Ottke, or even Glen Johnson or Tony Mundine. The most unfortunate part is his win over Lacy proved he belonged among them all along. The good news is he's not done yet.

Sven Ottke IBF Champion 1998-2004, WBA Champion 2003-'04

It is one of the sadder occurrences for fans of the super middleweight division that Ottke never got together with Calzaghe so it could have been decided who was the best in the division when both were active. It's unpopular to say outside Germany, but you can make a case that it was Ottke. Consider that he won the IBF title against Charles Brewer and defended it 21 times. He added the WBA title in a decision over Byron Mitchell. Calzaghe also beat both Brewer and Mitchell, in truth more convincingly than did Ottke and they both beat Robin Reid and David Starie.

The difference? Ottke also scored wins over Tony Mundine, Silvio Branco and Glen Johnson, three reasonably qualified, accomplished fighters Calzaghe never faced. Indeed, Mundine has since been mostly successful and recently won the WBA title, and Johnson distinguished himself in a series of fights with Clinton Woods and in wins over Roy Jones and Antonio Tarver, the latter for the IBF title (he lost a decision to Tarver in their rematch). Calzaghe's win over Jeff Lacy evens things up again.

On the other hand, Ottke loses credit for never fighting outside Germany (save for one early-career appearance in Vienna). That reveals a lack of confidence that undermines a fighter's credibility, even one as accomplished as Ottke, who retired in 2004 after winning all 34 of his professional fights. Along the same lines, it also must be said that a number of his important wins, particularly over Mitchell and the two over Brewer were hotly disputed and may not have gone the same way had they not taken place in Germany. Still, it's hard to argue with his numbers.

Honorable Mention:

James Toney IBF Champion 1993-'94

Toney's stay at 168 was brief but eventful. He massacred Iran Barkley for the title and defended it against Tony Thornton, Tim Littles, and "Prince" Charles Williams before losing to Jones and moving up to light heavyweight.

Steve Collins 1986-'97

You could make the argument that Collins' great skill was being in the right place at the right time, but you can't ignore his combined four wins over two of the division's stars in Benn and Eubank.

Mikkel Kessler WBA Champion 2004-Present WBC Champion 2006-Present

It's still early, but with 39 wins, no losses and victories over Librado Andrade, Markus Beyer, Eric Lucas and Tony Mundine, Kessler is establishing himself as a dominant super middleweight.