Welsh boxing has been blessed with many proficient pugilists through the years, together with Percy Jones, Jimmy Wilde, and, in newer instances, Barry Jones, Lee Selby, Joe Cordina, and the supremely proficient Lauren Worth. Primary on many lists speaking about Welsh boxers would be the legendary undefeated Joe Calzaghe (46-0, 32 KOs).
Analyzing the 5 Greatest Joe Calzaghe Fights
Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler – Nov 3, 2007
A partisan crowd of over 50,000 packed into the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, to see Joe Calzaghe defeat the beforehand undefeated Mikkel Kessler to defend his WBO title staggeringly for the twenty first and closing time. The win additionally gave him the WBA and WBC titles.
Learn Extra: 5 Tremendous Middleweight Fighters to Watch in 2025
This victory was as robust as they arrive, and for a lot of, it’s Calzaghe’s greatest win. His chin was examined to the utmost, and he took the perfect pictures from the Danish fighter. “The Pleasure of Wales” boxed fantastically at instances, selecting his pictures and shifting effectively. These ways helped him win unanimously, with the judges scorecards studying 117-111 and 116-112 x2. A memorable win that topped the Welshman as the perfect tremendous middleweight on the planet.
Jeff Lacy – March 4, 2006
Calzaghe confronted an acid check in opposition to American Jeff Lacy on the MEN Enviornment in Manchester. The bookies had Lacy because the favorite, however the Welshman ripped up the script, producing a dominant show, successful each second of the struggle. His velocity and accuracy bamboozled his American opponent, who was identified pre-fight for his punching energy.
Learn Extra: Bernard Hopkins vs. Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright Revisited
The decide’s scorecards learn 119-105 and 119-107 x2. It was a superb efficiency that made America lastly take discover of the mercurial Welshman.
Chris Eubank – October 11, 1997
Calzaghe took a large step up in competitors, dealing with Chris Eubank at Sheffield Enviornment. The Welshman flew out the blocks and knocked down Eubank within the first spherical, gorgeous everybody in attendance and watching at dwelling.
Eubank by no means stopped coming ahead and making use of stress, however the Welshman picked his punches brilliantly and used his distinctive footwork to create angles for assault. “The Pleasure of Wales” was deservedly topped the winner, with the judges scorecards studying 118-109, 118-110 and 116-111, awarding him the WBO super-middleweight title. This was the start of a record-breaking run on the high.
Bernard Hopkins – April 19, 2008
On April 19, 2008, Joe Calzaghe made his U.S. debut on the Thomas & Mack Heart, Las Vegas in opposition to the 42-year-old American Bernard Hopkins, with loads of phrases exchanged within the build-up. Regardless of being knocked down within the opening spherical, the Welshman compelled the tempo and his come-forward method ensured he gained by break up resolution with two judges (116-111 and 115-112) siding with Calzaghe, with the ultimate decide scoring it 114-113 for the American.
Calzaghe fought with depth all through the 12 rounds – and his work was clear sufficient that he deserved the choice. He refused to be intimidated by “The Executioner” and handed his acid American check.
Roy Jones Jr. – November 8, 2008
On November 8, 2008, at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York, Joe Calzaghe closed out his profession with a victory over the legendary Roy Jones Jr. Regardless of being previous his prime, Jones showcased flashes of his brilliance, knocking the Welshman down within the opening spherical.
Nevertheless, Calzaghe took management of the struggle along with his relentless work fee and sharp punch choice, in the end dominating the rest of the bout. The judges’ scorecards mirrored his superiority, with all three studying 118-109.
Following the win, Calzaghe introduced his retirement, stating he had achieved every part he got down to obtain in boxing. “The Italian Dragon” is extensively considered one of many best fighters of his era—and, for a lot of, the best Welsh boxer of all time.
