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Calzaghe unifies titles

05/03/2006

Joe Calzaghe has unified the WBO and IBF super middleweight titles with a convincing points victory over American Jeff Lacy in Manchester.

The Welshmen dominated from the start and despite being unable to finish the job, the three judges awarded the bout to him 119-107 119-107 and 119-105.

Calzaghe was the more mobile and aggressive fighter from the start and even in the first couple of rounds, the WBO champion was landing a number of powerful combinations.

After a fairly even third, where Lacy trapped Calzaghe into a corner , the American was cut above the right eye a minute into the fourth round as Calzaghe continued to dominate.

So much so, the Welshman indulged in some mild showboating in the fifth before tearing into his opponent in the sixth, delivering ten unanswered shots.

Lacy began the seventh well but Calzaghe again got on top of the American and delivered a couple of big left-hands which left the former IBF champion slouched against the ropes.

Calzaghe's dominance continued into the latter stages as the American was left covered in blood after rounds ten and 11 from the cut above his eye.

Then in the final round, in testament to Calzaghe's dominance, the new unified champion became the first man to knock Lacy down in his career.

The American survived to the bell but Calzaghe was a worthy champion.

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