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April 10, 2007

Manfredo opponent breaks hand in fight

CARDIFF, Wales — Joe Calzaghe broke his left hand in the TKO win over Peter Manfredo to retain his WBO super middleweight title last week.

The 35-year-old Welshman broke a bone in the third round Saturday, just before referee Terry O'Connor stopped the fight in front of a British indoor record crowd of 35,018 fans at the Millennium Stadium.

In September 2005, Calzaghe broke a different bone in the same hand in the third round against Evans Ashira of Kenya, but still won a unanimous points decision. After recovering, he beat IBF world champion Jeff Lacy.

Saturday's win was Calzaghe's 20th title defense, drawing him even with Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes and moving within five of Joe Louis' record. He also improved to 43-0, within sight of Rocky Marciano's 49-0.

“I'm disappointed that I fractured my hand, but that's boxing and injuries happen,” Calzaghe said Tuesday in a statement. “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.”

Calzaghe is expected to fight Russian challenger Denis Inkin in July, although middleweight super champion Jermain Taylor remains his preferred opponent, with Hopkins another option.

ASSOCIATED PRESS --

Posted by Thom Cahir  at 10:37 PM to Boxing | Permalink

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