You are in > manchester.com  > News > Calzaghe relinquishes crown

Boxing

Calzaghe relinquishes crown

27/11/2006

British boxer Joe Calzaghe has given up his IBF title so he can fight a reality TV star.

The Welshman will clash with Peter Manfredo, who appeared in The Contender programme in the US, in Cardiff's Millennium stadium on March 3rd for the 20th defence of his WBO crown.

Calzaghe chose not to defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Robert Stieglitz in his bid to break America.

The 34-year-old southpaw said Manfredo, 26, is a more recognised opponent.

"It's disappointing to give up the IBF but Stieglitz doesn't mean anything outside of Germany," Calzaghe said.

Frank Warren, Calzaghe's promoter, said he is hopeful of a showdown with middleweight champion Jermain Taylor next summer.

We've been in discussions with Taylor and that's a fight we would like, but first Joe has to come through this one," Warren said.

"American broadcasters HBO had no appetite for the Stieglitz fight, that's how the belts get fragmented."

Meanwhile, Manfredo was full of respect for Calzaghe ahead of next year's clash.

"The only Calzaghe fight I've seen is the one where he beat up Jeff Lacy. He looked like the champion he is," Manfredo said.

"I didn't see his last fight [a points win over Sakio Bika in October], but everybody has good and bad fights.

"But I'll be coming over to win. I feel good about the fight and I feel good about myself."

Calzaghe was recently named Britain's boxer of the year at a ceremony in London.

© Adfero Ltd