JOE CALZAGHE became the ruler supreme of boxing’s super-middleweight division in the early hours of this morning after defeating Mikkel Kessler on a unanimous points decision.
After 12 abrasive rounds in front of a partisan crowd at an emotionally-charged Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the great Briton extended a decade of world dominance by adding Kessler’s WBC and WBA titles to his WBO version, to become undisputed champion.
It was Calzaghe’s 21st defence of a belt he first grabbed by defeating Chris Eubank in October 1997.
This win puts him just four short of the record 25 successful defences set by the legendary Joe Louis.
Something had to give in this winner takes all clash as both fighters were protecting unblemished records.
Kessler, 28, had won all 39 of his previous bouts, though questions had been raised about the general quality of his previous opponents.
But it was Calzaghe who walked away with his reputation in tact and the belts in hand, claiming the 44th victory of his undefeated pro career.
Just last week, Calzaghe, 35, announced his intention to fight on for another year.
Having conquered all-comers at the 12st limit, he is expected to step up a division to light-heavyweight.
Former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins is a possible next opponent.
Top photo: Britain’s Joe Calzaghe, right, fights against Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler in a fight for three world super-middleweight titles in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium , Cardiff, Sunday Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Simon Dawson)
