20 years ago - Joe Calzaghe became WBO super middleweight champion

[Ruthless-RKO]

TWENTY years ago, Newbridge boxer Joe Calzaghe became WBO super middleweight champion after defeating Chris Eubank.

The Gwent fighter beat Eubank on a unanimous points decision at the fight in Sheffield on October 11 1997.

Calzaghe retired on February 5 2009 as the undefeated world super middleweight champion and the longest reigning world title holder in boxing history.

His professional boxing career spanned almost two decades which saw him unbeaten in 18 years as a professional and amateur boxer.

Calzaghe’s record of having won all his 46 professional fights meant that he retired as Britain’s only ever undefeated world champion in boxing (having held a world title for just two weeks short of eleven years) or indeed any in other major sport.

[Boxerbeetle]

Great fight, will never forget Calzaghe dropping Eubank with virtually the first punch he threw. Such a shame his hands gave up on him so many times, he was a real banger.

Remember being gutted that Collins pulled out of the original bout as I felt Calzaghe would have really made a statement in that fight, although I can understand Collins’ reasons.

[littlepug]

TWENTY years ago, Newbridge boxer Joe Calzaghe became WBO super middleweight champion after defeating Chris Eubank.

The Gwent fighter beat Eubank on a unanimous points decision at the fight in Sheffield on October 11 1997.

Calzaghe retired on February 5 2009 as the undefeated world super middleweight champion and the longest reigning world title holder in boxing history.

His professional boxing career spanned almost two decades which saw him unbeaten in 18 years as a professional and amateur boxer.

Calzaghe’s record of having won all his 46 professional fights meant that he retired as Britain’s only ever undefeated world champion in boxing (having held a world title for just two weeks short of eleven years) or indeed any in other major sport.

Terry marsh managed that feat before joe

[tobyh5]

he retired as Britain’s only ever undefeated world champion in boxing (having held a world title for just two weeks short of eleven years) or indeed any in other major sport.

I know he had a draw, but which fight did Terry Marsh lose?

[Coco]

TWENTY years ago, Newbridge boxer Joe Calzaghe became WBO super middleweight champion after defeating Chris Eubank.

The Gwent fighter beat Eubank on a unanimous points decision at the fight in Sheffield on October 11 1997.

Calzaghe retired on February 5 2009 as the undefeated world super middleweight champion and the longest reigning world title holder in boxing history.

His professional boxing career spanned almost two decades which saw him unbeaten in 18 years as a professional and amateur boxer.

Calzaghe’s record of having won all his 46 professional fights meant that he retired as Britain’s only ever undefeated world champion in boxing (having held a world title for just two weeks short of eleven years) or indeed any in other major sport.

Terry marsh managed that feat before joe

True but at the time the IBF was very lightly regarded, JC was regarded as the #1

[bigjack]

he retired as Britain’s only ever undefeated world champion in boxing (having held a world title for just two weeks short of eleven years) or indeed any in other major sport.

I know he had a draw, but which fight did Terry Marsh lose?

He never lost.

[Tuan_Jim]

TWENTY years ago, Newbridge boxer Joe Calzaghe became WBO super middleweight champion after defeating Chris Eubank.

The Gwent fighter beat Eubank on a unanimous points decision at the fight in Sheffield on October 11 1997.

Calzaghe retired on February 5 2009 as the undefeated world super middleweight champion and the longest reigning world title holder in boxing history.

His professional boxing career spanned almost two decades which saw him unbeaten in 18 years as a professional and amateur boxer.

Calzaghe’s record of having won all his 46 professional fights meant that he retired as Britain’s only ever undefeated world champion in boxing (having held a world title for just two weeks short of eleven years) or indeed any in other major sport.

Terry marsh managed that feat before joe

True but at the time the IBF was very lightly regarded, JC was regarded as the #1

Wait, what? The IBF was immediately recognised because both Larry Holmes and Marvin Hagler boxed for their inaugural belts. The WBO on the other hand was lightly regarded until as recently as 2004. JC took advantage of their low standards and stayed at home fighting poor challengers year after year. He was considered a joke until he beat Jeff Lacy. On Boxrec he used to be nicknamed 'Sicknote' for pulling out of every fight that was slightly risky.

[jamesmcdonnell]

It's a shame Calzaghe didn't test himself earlier in his career - he a homebody who didn't want to risk his unbeaten record for far too long. His own father said he was worried about fighting Lacy, and wanted to pull out. A strange character Calzaghe, gifted, but with a deep paranoia about losing.

[Tuan_Jim]

It's a shame Calzaghe didn't test himself earlier in his career - he a homebody who didn't want to risk his unbeaten record for far too long. His own father said he was worried about fighting Lacy, and wanted to pull out. A strange character Calzaghe, gifted, but with a deep paranoia about losing.

I think Fwank W said he had to practically put a gun to Joe's head for the Lacy fight, he kept trying to find a reason to pull out.

[Autobarn]

Great fight, will never forget Calzaghe dropping Eubank with virtually the first punch he threw. Such a shame his hands gave up on him so many times, he was a real banger.

Remember being gutted that Collins pulled out of the original bout as I felt Calzaghe would have really made a statement in that fight, although I can understand Collins’ reasons.

Yes that would have been a great passing of the torch fight that would have made things clear and direct during muddled times. I’d say this fight is a genuine loss to world championship British boxing.

[Autobarn]

It's a shame Calzaghe didn't test himself earlier in his career - he a homebody who didn't want to risk his unbeaten record for far too long. His own father said he was worried about fighting Lacy, and wanted to pull out. A strange character Calzaghe, gifted, but with a deep paranoia about losing.

I really think Collins would’ve been that test.

And also, Collins never had a genuine rival.

On paper the perfect fight although apparently Collins had some brain scan issues and given the injuries of Watson and McClellan against prime versions of Eubank and Benn at this same weight class I think it was the right time to get out for Collins if he wasn’t 100% safe to fight.

Very strangely, Johnny Nelson and Enzo Maccarinelli didn’t fight, up at cruiserweight. Almost made me paranoid, history repeating itself, the torch being passed by indirect means, yet again.

[Autobarn]

Terry marsh managed that feat before joe

True but at the time the IBF was very lightly regarded, JC was regarded as the #1

Wait, what? The IBF was immediately recognised because both Larry Holmes and Marvin Hagler boxed for their inaugural belts. The WBO on the other hand was lightly regarded until as recently as 2004. JC took advantage of their low standards and stayed at home fighting poor challengers year after year. He was considered a joke until he beat Jeff Lacy. On Boxrec he used to be nicknamed 'Sicknote' for pulling out of every fight that was slightly risky.

I’d say British fighters won IBF titles against lesser opponents in many cases. Terry Marsh vs Joe Louis Manley, Dennis Andries vs JD Williamson.

The IBF title only got accepted because Larry Holmes ditched the WBC belt so he could have more control over whom to choose as his opposition. Wasn’t he ducking his mandatory at the time?

But, there were some bad times when Frank WA REN and Barry Hearn got hold of the WBO belt, no doubt. And I’d agree that in the middle stage of his career Joe became a joke.

[littlepug]

True but at the time the IBF was very lightly regarded, JC was regarded as the #1

Wait, what? The IBF was immediately recognised because both Larry Holmes and Marvin Hagler boxed for their inaugural belts. The WBO on the other hand was lightly regarded until as recently as 2004. JC took advantage of their low standards and stayed at home fighting poor challengers year after year. He was considered a joke until he beat Jeff Lacy. On Boxrec he used to be nicknamed 'Sicknote' for pulling out of every fight that was slightly risky.

I’d say British fighters won IBF titles against lesser opponents in many cases. Terry Marsh vs Joe Louis Manley, Dennis Andries vs JD Williamson.

The IBF title only got accepted because Larry Holmes ditched the WBC belt so he could have more control over whom to choose as his opposition. Wasn’t he ducking his mandatory at the time?

But, there were some bad times when Frank WA REN and Barry Hearn got hold of the WBO belt, no doubt. And I’d agree that in the middle stage of his career Joe became a joke.

Andries was only involved in WBC title fights

[Noxy]

Terry Marsh, there's a name from the past. He was not considered a puncher, had two world title fights, hardly lost a round in either of them, won both by stoppage, then retired because he was epileptic. We won't see the likes of that again. Interesting character too, apparently he was a chess champion and later became a stockbroker.

[handsofstone]

Loved the fight, the shot Calzaghe put him down was actually a cracker of a punch, Joe probably thought he was gonna be in for an early night and Eubank was a bit shot but Chris showed yet again he lies down for nobody

Eubank is a total one off, did anyone see him tell the ring card girls to get out of the way whilst Jr was being interviewed post fight on saturday?

That slutty bastard Lily Allen even had a pop on twitter about it

[levi billups]

The worrying thing about this is that it was TWENTY years ago. Where did all that time go?

[Autobarn]

Wait, what? The IBF was immediately recognised because both Larry Holmes and Marvin Hagler boxed for their inaugural belts. The WBO on the other hand was lightly regarded until as recently as 2004. JC took advantage of their low standards and stayed at home fighting poor challengers year after year. He was considered a joke until he beat Jeff Lacy. On Boxrec he used to be nicknamed 'Sicknote' for pulling out of every fight that was slightly risky.

I’d say British fighters won IBF titles against lesser opponents in many cases. Terry Marsh vs Joe Louis Manley, Dennis Andries vs JD Williamson.

The IBF title only got accepted because Larry Holmes ditched the WBC belt so he could have more control over whom to choose as his opposition. Wasn’t he ducking his mandatory at the time?

But, there were some bad times when Frank WA REN and Barry Hearn got hold of the WBO belt, no doubt. And I’d agree that in the middle stage of his career Joe became a joke.

Andries was only involved in WBC title fights

woops! Not sure why I assumed that

I’ll replace with Glen McCrory v Lumumba

[Autobarn]

Terry Marsh, there's a name from the past. He was not considered a puncher, had two world title fights, hardly lost a round in either of them, won both by stoppage, then retired because he was epileptic. We won't see the likes of that again. Interesting character too, apparently he was a chess champion and later became a stockbroker.

true we didn’t get to see the best of him, arguably

[Autobarn]

Loved the fight, the shot Calzaghe put him down was actually a cracker of a punch, Joe probably thought he was gonna be in for an early night and Eubank was a bit shot but Chris showed yet again he lies down for nobody

Eubank is a total one off, did anyone see him tell the ring card girls to get out of the way whilst Jr was being interviewed post fight on saturday?

That slutty bastard Lily Allen even had a pop on twitter about it

It was a decent fight, definitely. Was funny when Eubank got up laughing at Calzaghe.

[Counter-puncher]

I'd say it was a rueful and respectful smile, given that he mouthed 'good shot' with a little nod to Calzaghe from he seat of his pants. Classic Eubank really.

[Stuarty]

I remember that night well! My dad said Eubank would spank Calzaghe and I said 'no chance'. Was good to be right for a change. I was 13 at the time!

[Ossyrules]

His career could have been even greater than it was, but I have to agree Calzaghe needed to test himself more than he did, there were bigger harder fights out there abroad.

He was still a terrific boxer though

And re the IBF, my memory is that that governing body was recognised and accepted straight off the bat. The WBO took a little longer. The WBO went a little off piste with its rankings etc and it was lightly regarded to begin with

[jamesmcdonnell]

It's a shame Calzaghe didn't test himself earlier in his career - he a homebody who didn't want to risk his unbeaten record for far too long. His own father said he was worried about fighting Lacy, and wanted to pull out. A strange character Calzaghe, gifted, but with a deep paranoia about losing.

I think Fwank W said he had to practically put a gun to Joe's head for the Lacy fight, he kept trying to find a reason to pull out.

I think calzaghe was wracked with self doubt throughout his career

[rossij8]

FW had legal problems with JC - FW was never going to say nice things about him after

Boxers avoided him and didn't want to fight him for the money that was offered - there is a different side to every story

Amazing talent who had issues with his hands

His old man Enzo said Lacy would be so easy - JC able to hit him 3-4 times before he could even think about getting his big left going

[Ruthless-RKO]

The worrying thing about this is that it was TWENTY years ago. Where did all that time go?

He's been retired nearly 10 years..