It was a weekend of super middleweights. Four fights between 168-pounders ranged from the top man in the division to the best young prospect. Clearly the king of the division, Joe Calzaghe was making his 19th defense of his WBO Super Middleweight title. The other world champions of the super middleweight division fought a unification bout as Marcus Beyer put his WBC title on the line against Mikkel Kessler’s WBA belt.
Also in super middleweight action, Peter Manfredo Jr, runner-up to Sergio Mora in the first Contender, took on self-proclaimed Contender Killer Joey Spina. The fight was on ESPN and also featured Allan Green versus Jerson Ravelo. Green is an undefeated prospect that is looking to get into the ring with some of the bigger dogs mentioned earlier.
Joe Calzaghe vs. Sakio Bika – WBO & IBF Super Middleweight Title
Calzaghe has been dominating the super middleweight division for nine years but no one really took notice until he dismantled Jeff Lacy last March. Bika is a 27-year old boxer from Cameroon with one loss, which came to Sam Soliman. The fight took place on Calzaghe’s home turf of Manchester, England.
As dominant as Calzaghe looked against Lacy, he’s now expected to treat all his opponents that way. That’s why it was so surprising to actually see him in a fight. Bika showed little respect for Calzaghe’s legacy and looked willing to start a legacy of his own.
Bika brought the thunder early in the first round, catching Calzaghe with a series of uppercuts. The champ didn’t seem to expect it and survived the round. The second round had more action since Calzaghe was ready to return. Not even the bell to signal the end of the round could stop these two from throwing punches.
Bika caught Calzaghe with a headbutt in the fourth round that opened a cut beside the champ’s left eye. That headbutt was ruled accidental, but another one in the fifth round brought on a point deduction for Sakio Bika. Sometimes you don’t know you are in a fight until you really get hit. Calzaghe figured out his opponent in the middle rounds, luring him in with his hands down and picking him off with straights and jabs. The bell sounded to end the 12th and final round and Calzaghe looked drained. Calzaghe admitted it wasn’t his best performance after the fight, but it was enough to get him the unanimous decision victory.
Calzaghe called out Bernard Hopkins after the fight. Hopkins is currently retired but will come out to fight if the money is right. It is an interesting story because Calzaghe needs one more title defense to tie Hopkins’ record. Hopkins would be coming out of retirement to stop Joe from breaking his record. I don’t think Calzaghe/Hopkins is a big enough draw to bring The Executioner out of retirement. Calzaghe said he wants a big money fight but if he can’t score a PPV-caliber opponent, he should look no further than our next fight for his next opponent.
Marcus Beyer vs. Mikkel Kessler – WBC & WBA Super Middleweight Title
Beyer is a German counter-puncher with a record of 34-2-1. Kessler is an undefeated Welshman known for his power. Joe Calzaghe recently said that Mikkel Kessler is the second best super middleweight but this unification bout would go a long way in proving who the second best super middleweight really is.
The fight began and it was evident that Kessler was not only the strongest man in the ring but also the quickest. Kessler looked sharp and poured it on Beyer, who seemed to be hoping for a slower pace to the fight.
This was a huge fight for both men. Mikkel Kessler, however, was not interested in making a long show of it. Kessler (pictured at right above) nailed Beyer with a right at the close of the third round and Beyer did not answer the count. Just like that, with one punch, it was over. Kessler now must hope no big name saddles up with Calzaghe. A divisional unification bout would be a sweet way for Calzaghe to make his 20th defense if Hopkins doesn’t want to fight.
Peter Manfredo Jr vs. Joey Spina
Most pre-fight trash talk is purely to hype a fight. Manfredo and Spina surely had that in mind with their banter in the weeks leading to this fight, but Manfredo really took some of it personally. Spina knocked out Jesse Brinkley in his last fight and dubbed himself The Contender Killer. He discredited Manfredo’s credentials and said he is only where he is now because of the show. Manfredo vowed to show Spina he was on another level and he did just that.
Manfredo fought with the zest of a man that truly hates his opponent. Manfredo nearly knocked Spina down in the second and made sure he got the job done when he had Spina reeling in the third. The right hands were open all day for Manfredo and it was a series of three right hands in a row that finished the fight for Manfredo. Spina’s corner threw in the towel before their fighter could get to his feet, obviously sensing their fighter was finished.
Manfredo and his father celebrated in the ring immediately by taunting Spina and his corner. Manfredo attempted to leap over the referee to get into Spina’s face. It was a completely unprofessional reaction by both Manfredos and seemd out of character for the younger Peter Manfredo. He was surely fired up by all the things Spina had said but he already got his revenge in the ring. Saying “I told you so” is unnecessary and juvenile.
Manfredo says he will fight anyone that his Contender promoters put him up against. Inside Fights has already reported on the rumored Manfredo and Roy Jones Jr matchup. That would certainly be good for Peter and his convincing win could be big enough to lure Roy in, but don’t get your hopes up if you want to see the fight.
Allan Green vs. Jerson Ravelo
Green fought on the Manfredo/Spina undercard and is an up-and-comer in the super middleweight division. He’s certainly become a darling of the ESPN network as this is at least his fourth consecutive fight broadcast on the network.
Both Green and Ravelo had success has amateurs and Ravelo was even a member of the Dominican Republic’s 2000 Olympic team. This is professional though, and Allan Green’s punches hurt a lot more without headgear. Ravelo hung in with the stronger Green but eventually suffered a TKO loss in the 8th round.
Allan Green already called out Jeff Lacy and didn’t get his man. It seems like he wants Lacy but it won’t happen soon. Lacy is scheduled to fight an opponent to be named in December.
Other Results From The Week
– Want more Contender updates? Alright. Joey Gilbert scored a 6th round TKO over Keith Sims in a middleweight bout.
– If you answered yes to the first question then you will love this. Season one Contender alum Miguel Espino fought Rigoberto Placencia and won via TKO in the 2nd.
– Enzo Maccarinelli retained his WBO Cruiserweight title with a first round TKO of Mark Hobson. Maccarinelli originally won his title from Hobson.
– Heavyweight prospect Chazz Witherspoon improved his record to 15-0 with a third round knockout of Earl Ladson. Chazz is the cousin of former heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon.
