Joe Calzaghe vs. Peter Manfredo Jr., billed as Pride Under Pressure, was a professional boxing match contested on 7 April 2007, for the WBO and The Ring super middleweight championship. The bout took place at Millennium Stadium, with Calzaghe winning by technical knockout in the third round.
Background Calzaghe vacated the IBF title he won against Lacy, instead of facing mandatory challenger, Robert Stieglitz, in order to make a voluntary defence against Manfredo. Manfredo's rise up the ranks came as a result of competing in the first season of The Contender.
On 27 November 2006, it was announced that Calzaghe and Manfredo would fight on 3 March 2007 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, live on ITV Sport and HBO. The fight was rescheduled to 7 April due to a Six Nations Rugby match between Wales and England on 17 March.
Fight details In the opening two rounds, Calzaghe landed scoring shots and quick combinations, with Manfredo boxing at range defensively and attempting to counterpunch. In the third, Calzaghe connected with a series of punches to Manfredo' head and body, sending him back against the ropes, it was at this point that the referee waved the fight off, therefore giving Calzaghe the win by TKO.
Aftermath In the post-fight interview, both Calzaghe and Manfredo said they felt the stoppage was premature.
Calzaghe defeated Kessler on 3 November, by unanimous decision to unify the WBA, WBC, WBO, and The Ring titles.
Fight card Confirmed bouts: Weight Classvs.MethodRoundTimeNotesSuper-middleweightJoe Calzaghe (c)def.Peter Manfredo Jr.3/121:30WelterweightMichael Jenningsdef.Merdad Takaloo (c)12/12CruiserweightEnzo Maccarinelli (c)def.Bobby GunnTKO1/122:35Light-middleweightBradley Pryce (c)def.Thomas AwimbonoUD12MiddleweightGary Lockett (c)def.Lee BlundellTKO3/121:35WelterweightTony Doherty (c)def.Taz JonesTKO7/102:15Light-welterweightAmir Khandef.Stefy BullTKO3/81:45WelterweightKell Brookdef.Karl DavidTKO3/82:58Super-middleweightNathan Cleverlydef.Nick Okoth8/8LightweightGavin Reesdef.Billy SmithPTS6/6WelterweightBarrie Jonesdef.Daniel ThorpeTKO2/62:29MiddleweightKerry Hopedef.Jamie AmblerPTS6/6FlyweightDon Broadhurstdef.Delroy SpencerPTS4/4Super-middleweightKenny Andersondef.Jorge GomezTKO3/41:22HeavyweightDerek Chisoradef.Tony BoothPTS4/4
Broadcasting CountryBroadcastersFree-to-airCable/Pay TVUnited KingdomITV Sport colspan="1" United States colspan="1" HBO
References