BoxRec

By Phil Barnett, PA Sport

Joe Calzaghe has confirmed he broke his hand during Saturday's stoppage victory against Peter Manfredo in Cardiff.

The WBO super-middleweight champion has a history of hand problems and suffered another fracture against his American opponent at the Millennium Stadium en route to a third-round victory - the 20th defence of his title.

The 35-year-old Welshman cracked the scaphoid bone in his left hand in the third, moments before referee Terry O'Connor stepped in to wave off the challenge of 'Contender' reality TV star Manfredo.

And despite the fracture, Calzaghe remains hopeful of returning to the ring in July with a defence against Denis Inkin at the 02 Arena (formerly the Millennium Dome) a strong possibility - though American middleweight Jermain Taylor is the preferred option.

"I'm disappointed that I fractured my hand but that's boxing and injuries happen," he said.

"I shouldn't be out for too long though, probably about four weeks, and then I'll be back to light training in preparation for the proposed July date which I am really excited about."

The win saw Calzaghe draw level with greats Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins for the consecutive number of world title defences, in front of a record crowd of more than 35,018.

Calzaghe added: "It was a fantastic occasion not just for me but for Enzo Maccarinelli, Gary Lockett, Bradley Pryce and the rest of the boys on the show.

"I was floored by the massive reception I got when I made my ring entrance and was very proud to be fighting at the national stadium in front of the biggest boxing crowd in over a decade.

"It is a moment that I will always remember throughout my career so it's a big thank you to all my fans."

Can you break a hand punching air?

Guess So...

Manfredo was about as much use as air in a fight!

s9s wrote:Can you break a hand punching air?

Ahh, ahh - very funny but also very true. Manfredo mst feel ripped off - I've seen amateur fights go further than that!

If his hand is broken I can't see how he'll fight again in July.

Says he needs 4 weeks for the fracture to heal. That keeps him doing nothing all April. But he has May and June to train. At least 8 weeks which is how long he trained this time. Not sure how far into July the fight would be. Hope it happens and would love to see Froch or Inkin in there. I'm becoming a big fan of both 29 yo super middle contenders.

Bear in mind he broke his hand against Ashira in September, and almost had to pull out of the March fight with Lacy a couple of weeks before it as it hadn't fully healed and was bothering him. Granted the break may not be as bad as that time but he has never been a quick healer.

It's probably a good thing. No chance of getting a Kessler or Taylor fight lined up for July... so rather than having to suffer ANOTHER meaningless defence while Warren promises a super fight is just around the corner again, we might get something super and concrete for August or September.

That lad would break his hand even if he jerked off too hard.

Cannibal wrote:That lad would break his hand even if he jerked off too hard.

I would be 99.9% sure thats how he has done it, because it certainly was not from whacking Manfredo

Cannibal wrote:That lad would break his hand even if he jerked off too hard.

Maybe he spanked the missus too hard.

September fight with Kessler, Taylor or Mundine would be good.

i'm afraid we have seen the best of joe. he cant compete against the cream out there with hands like these. no way. he was pretty good
at his peak but now we shall just see his new (ish) style - 1000 pit pat punches to try to gain points decisions. too bad the fight was stopped, if it had been allowed to go past half way calzaghe would have been in the shiiittte even against a second rater like manfredo.

harrygreb wrote:i'm afraid we have seen the best of joe. he cant compete against the cream out there with hands like these. no way. he was pretty good
at his peak but now we shall just see his new (ish) style - 1000 pit pat punches to try to gain points decisions. too bad the fight was stopped, if it had been allowed to go past half way calzaghe would have been in the shiiittte even against a second rater like manfredo.

Can't agree with that. Joe's hands may be fucked, but it's hardly a new problem. And lets face it, Calzaghe could have fought one-handed for 10 rounds against Manfredo and still won.

Edit: Actually, you're taking the piss, aren't you? Sorry, my bad.

does anyone know what bones in his hand he's broken before???

this time he's broke his scaphoid bone,which is a tiny bone near the base of the thumb and wrist..

http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp04013.htm

note this section

most patients who have broken their scaphoid have done it while participating in sports, such as football, basketball, riding a motorcycle or in an automobile accident. Usually the patient falls on the outstretched hand and hyperextends the wrist joint.

i believe he broke this bone because of the way he punches (slaps) with the palm side of the gloves and not the knuckle part.

well, states, my old mate its not actually the same old problem as i must point out the hands are getting worse and worse with every contest. joe back in the day did throw power shots. i havent seen one for at least 3 maybe 4 fights. he has significantly altered his approach to winning contests (see post above) due to the worsening state of his mitts.

the rest of my post was slightly fanciful.