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April 7, 2007

Manfredo loses, fight stopped in third round

CARDIFF, Wales -- Joe Calzaghe stopped Peter Manfredo in the third round Saturday to retain his WBO super middleweight title and improve to 43-0.

It was Calzaghe's 20th successful defense since he won the title from Chris Eubank in 1997, equaling Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes and moving within five of Joe Louis' record.

Manfredo, runner-up in the first season of "The Contender" reality television show, fell to 26-4. Calzaghe dominated with superior hand speed and punching power in front of 35,000 at the Millennium Stadium.

Manfredo was backed onto the ropes early in the third round and referee Terry O'Connor stopped the bout after 30 seconds.

Manfredo evaded the 34-year-old Welshman's punches in an uneventful first round, but Calzaghe increased his tempo in the second, dropping his hands to entice a wary Manfredo. He connected before covering up to defend against the American's response.

After getting Manfredo on the ropes in the third, Calzaghe threw a flurry of combinations.

Manfredo initially beckoned Calzaghe to continue, and the Welshman launched a sustained assault to the American's head and body to finish the fight early.

Calzaghe used the bout, broadcast to the United States on HBO, to increase his profile in America.

He has identified Hopkins, Winky Wright and Jermain Taylor as future opponents. Pressure also will grow to fight WBA and WBC champion Mikkel Kessler in a unification bout -- especially after beating Manfredo.

On the undercard, Amir Khan (12-0) stopped Steffy Bull in the third round in a lightweight non-title bout, and Enzo Maccarinelli retained his WBO cruiserweight title by stopping Bobby Gunn in the first round.

Khan was relentless as he handled the outclassed Bull, landing punches to the head and body.

--ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posted by Chris Venditto  at 6:46 PM to Boxing | Permalink

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