Joe Calzaghe will accept only stadium-filling super-fights

[Hagler2002]

By Mark Staniforth, PA Sport

Joe Calzaghe will accept only stadium-filling super-fights for the remainder of his career as he prepares to defend his WBO super-middleweight title against Peter Manfredo tonight.

A record-breaking crowd of 35,000 is expected in the Millennium Stadium to see if the Welshman can join Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins in successfully defending his title for the 20th time.

And with unbeaten 12-stone rival Mikkel Kessler being lined up for a projected unification match, Calzaghe believes there are now few indoor venues in Britain capable of containing his popularity.

Calzaghe said: "I am not going to say this will be the last fight in Cardiff but realistically it would not be at the CIA or the ice rink. It would have to be back in this stadium.

"I took my chance against Jeff Lacy and showed the world what I could do. Now I am fighting at a massive stadium which is where I wanted to be years ago.

"I feel great and I am ready to do a number on him. But talk is cheap. No matter who is in your corner or how many are in the stadium, all that matters is when the punching gloves are on."

Calzaghe will start as a massive favourite to overcome 'Contender' star Manfredo, who has fought in nowhere near the same class and admits earning his chance because of his reality TV fame.

But the 26-year-old from Providence has scored impressive victories over Scott Pemberton and Joe Spina in his last two fights and insists he is brimming with confidence ahead of his big chance.

Manfredo said: "Joe Calzaghe has got a lot of class and he knows I am not going to back up," insisted Manfredo.

"He knows I have come to take his title and he won't be taking me lightly.

"I have trained extremely hard with a lot of lefties and this has got the makings of a great Arturo Gatti versus Mickey Ward type of fight. Neither of us will back up and that is what people want to see."

Having lost the services of his trainer Freddie Roach who has gone to work with Oscar De La Hoya, Manfredo will like Calzaghe be trained by his father with Sugar Ray Leonard acting as his special adviser.

Despite Leonard's insistence on drawing parallels with his own underdog victory over Marvin Hagler exactly 20 years ago, Manfredo does not boast the same qualities as the legendary five-time champion.

He will bring a rough and ready style which is capable of giving Calzaghe a few anxious moments, but there are few signs he is equipped to hand Calzaghe his first defeat in 43 professional fights.

Manfredo's public profile on both side of the Atlantic due to his TV appearance is anathema to Calzaghe, who is happy shunning the fame game when he does not have another major fight to promote.

He added: "I don't crave celebrity, I don't crave the limelight. I've always loved staying at home. I tried going away to training camp once, but I missed my kids, so I put a stop to that."

However, tonight Calzaghe's fame is likely to continue to spread. If he stays injury free, he should see off Manfredo in a fast and furious contest well before the scheduled half-way stage.

[nickd]

Lets hope that is the case, I wont hold my breath though.

[yiddo14]

He will only accept stadium filling super-fights then.....just like this one yeah

How many times have we been promised the super-hyper-mega fights involving Calzaghe???
Beleive it,when I see it.

[JC]

And with unbeaten 12-stone rival Mikkel Kessler being lined up for a projected unification match, Calzaghe believes there are now few indoor venues in Britain capable of containing his popularity.

Shame the writer gives no source for this.