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Mike McCallum v Joe Calzaghe
Both men enter the ring looking confident, as they come out for the first round they touch gloves and then it’s straight into the action. It is an electrifying start from both men matching each other punch for punch . Calzaghe pushes McCallum back, then McCallum fires back to the head and body. Two and fro neither man prepared to back down and neither getting the upper hand. Something has to give surely they can’t keep this pace going. The bell for the end of the 1st ends the action and both men smile at each other in acknowledgement of each others work rate.
The second round starts and neither man is prepared to let up and starts off just as they finished the first. I wouldn’t like to be a judge if this one goes the distance, the bell for the end of the second it the only thing that stops the action. The pair slap gloves, not only a great fight but is also fought in great spirit. The third is a little slower both men have taken and given out big shots and seem to be taking a well deserved rest, that is until about a minute to go in the round, McCallum pushes Calzaghe into his own corner and unleashes a huge Left, right combination to Calzaghes body almost cutting him in half Calzaghe leans forward from the shots and meets an almost perfect upper cut flush on the chin. Calzaghe falls forward into a heap.
He is up at the count of six and raises his gloves nodding to the referee. The referee signals the fight to continue and McCallum rushes in and unloads again with hurtful shots to the head and body, Calzaghe winces but refuses to go down again, he takes in a big gulp of air and fires back with his own shots forcing McCallum to stem the attack, when the bell rings to end the third both fighters nod at each other. What a fight, in the 4th Calzaghe seems to have recovered from the knockdown and now has McCallum on the back foot, McCallum fires back with a big right hand which Calzaghe ducks under and unleashes with a powerful right hook followed by a left straight and another right hook, this time it’s McCallum’s turn to raise himself from the canvas. He doesn’t appear hurt as he gets to his feet and when the referee signals them to fight again it is McCallum who takes the attack to Calzaghe, both are standing toe to toe in the centre of the ring as the bell goes to end the forth.
In the 5th and 6th the pace slows a little but is still furious neither man really getting the upper hand, the seventh starts and Calzaghe comes out quickly, he leads again with the right hook which lands flush, Calzaghe follows up with 10 unanswered punches which forces McCallum to the canvas once again. This time on rising McCallum definitely looks shaken by the knockdown. Calzaghe steps back from the knockdown shaking his left hand, rather than rushing in for the finish Calzaghe eases off and starts moving for the first time boxing off the back foot throwing the jab. He doesn’t throw the left for the remainder of the fight, has his injury curse struck again? The bell sounds and both men head back to their respective corners McCallum on slightly rubbery legs.
The bell for the seventh rings and again Calzaghe is on the back foot throwing right jabs and the occasional hook, McCallum seems to be still suffering from the knockdown and his hands are dropping. Calzaghe is moving well and McCallum is struggling to catch up with him, still Calzaghe has not thrown the left hand. The round ends and McCallum walks back to the corner, his corner man points out Calzaghe’s damaged hand and screams encouragement to his man, McCallum sits up straighter on the stool and takes in a big gulp of air.
The eighth starts and McCallum seems to have a new lease of life, he starts to move to his right no longer fearing the left cross, just as he does so Calzaghe unleashes with a huge left straight into the face of McCallum, the crack from Calzaghe’s hand can be heard about four rows back as the shot landed, McCallum off balance crashes to the canvas. Calzaghe cannot hide the pain from his damaged left and his face screws up with agony. McCallum jumps to his feet eager to carry on once the referee finishes the eight count McCallum almost sprints forward pinning Calzaghe on the ropes throwing left hooks to the body and head forcing Calzaghe to block the shots with his damaged hand. As the bell sounds Calzaghe walks back to his corner clutching the damaged hand . The referee comes over to Calzaghe’s corner and asks if he is ok and whether he can carry on. Calzaghe nods and says “Never Better” the lie from gritted teeth.
The ninth sees Calzaghe on the back foot again using the jab well but McCallum is outscoring him with better work and it’s the same in the 10th and 11th round, McCallum is starting to tire but is on top. The bell for the 12th Round rings and both men embrace in the centre of the ring. The action starts again almost the second they let go, McCallum is surprised as Calzaghe comes out throwing leather with both hands biting down hard on his gum shield, the punches don’t carry the same power but the speed of them puts McCallum on the back foot, both men fire shots as if it was the first round again neither giving an inch the whole last round shows a true example of the fitness and determination of both men. The bell rings to end the fight and both fall into each others arms and raise each others arms.
This one is going to the judges cards and it’s a close one, the result seems to take forever both men stood with the referee waiting to see whose hand will be raised. 1st Judge 115-113 Calzaghe, a cheer erupts from the crowd as McCallum claps as well, 2nd Judge 115-113 McCallum again the cheers come, both fighters are looking tense as the final Judges score is read out 116-114 for Calzaghe, he has scrapped through by a split Decision. What a fight they don’t come much better than that.
