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Calzaghe outclasses Manfredo

08/04/2007

Joe Calzaghe successfully defended his WBO super middleweight title for the 20th time against American Peter Manfredo in front of 35,000 fans at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

The Welshman never looked in trouble as Manfredo failed to throw any meaningful punches and his resolve was eventually broken by a Calzaghe barrage midway through the third round.

The 35-year-old weighed-up his opponent in the opening two rounds, using his jab and superior boxing skills, before increasing the tempo in the third round.

After landing with a body blow Calzaghe then caught the challenger with two shots to the head and although Manfredo was reeling most experts thought the referee stopped the bout a little too early, however, there was no doubt that he was sparing Manfredo from the inevitable.

Calzaghe is now undefeated in 43 fights and has ruled the division for a decade. Promoter Frank Warren is hoping to line up a fight with middleweight champion Jermain Taylor as the Welshman's next opponent.

On the under-card Amir Khan won his 12th professional fight against Steffy Bull. The 20-year-old lightweight dominated his opponent who seemed to be running scared for much of the fight.

Kahn's speed was too much for Bull who was eventually knocked out in the third round after a left-hook to the body and numerous head shots sent him to his knees.

Enzo Maccarinelli made it a good night for British boxers beating American challenger Bobby Gunn easily inside the opening round to retain his WBO cruiserweight title.

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