Undisputed: Greatness in Joe Calzaghe

Joe Calzaghe is not your average Joe. Finding a Joe Calzaghe is similar to searching for a needle in a hay stack. From a super-middleweight's perspective, he's the best 168lb'er to come around the block in a long time. The pride of Cardiff, Wales, his native hometown, Calzaghe is a national figure on his streets. At 6 feet tall, southpaw and close to 36 years of age, Joe is the perfect example of a complete fighter: superior hand speed, timing, footwork and punching power. The blend has led him to recognition as Ring Magazine's #1 Super middleweight of the world.

He's one of the very few & remaining undefeated fighters in the sport today, compiling an impressive 44 victories, 0 defeats and 32KOs. His undefeated streak dates as far back to his amateur days well before his reign today as one the best. "I haven't lost a fight since 1990," Joe often reminds. "I am the best super-middleweight in the world right now."

In March 2006 on Showtime Network Television, he scored a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over America's Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy. His domination over Lacy pushed him further into the limelight and begin to attract the attention of fighters over in the United States that night. "Everybody thought Jeff Lacy was going to kick my ass, but I showed I can take a punch and give it back. I just used my skills to outbox and outmaneuver him on the inside."

Calzaghe's most recent and impressive victory over Denmark's Mikkel Kessler was perhaps another testament to the Welshman's greatness. In a pretty close fight between the two current best Super-middleweights in a face off for supremacy, Kessler proved he was tough, but Calzaghe effectively outboxed, outclassed and outworked the younger fighter to a unanimous decision victory. It was one of HBO's most exciting and prominent fights of 2007 and featured as 1 of 4 legendary matches showed in the explosive year alongside, Mayweather - Hatton, Mayweather - De La Hoya and Cotto - Mosley. The victory over Kessler solidified his position as one of the best fighters of his era and perhaps a seat in the International Boxing Hall of Fame someday. He currently holds the WBC, WBA and WBO world titles at 168lbs.

Looking towards the future

It seems within the immediate future as early as possibly April or May 2008 we could see Calzaghe back inside the ring against Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins. It'll be Calzaghe making two trips: His first official fight in the United States and perhaps his first trip to the light heavyweight division, 175lbs. It was a fight that should've been made years ago until negotiations fell through. Both Hopkins and Calzaghe's teams are working diligently to get this fight signed & sealed.

Hopkins, 43, is much older, crafty and still has the ability to beat many of today's super-middleweights & light heavyweights. But Hopkins knows he isn't facing just any super-middleweight, he's facing the best; one of the reasons this fight is so intriguing. If Calzaghe can edge pass Bernard Hopkins, perhaps he can stick around at light-heavyweight for his last few fights and attract the name of a Roy Jones Jr, Antonio Tarver or Clinton Woods.