Boxing Only


21 years ago

Joe Calzaghe vs Byron Mitchell

Joe Calzaghe vs Byron Mitchell

Date: 28th June 2003

Venue: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales

Title: WBO World Super-middleweight Title

Promoter: Frank Warren

Tv: Sky Sports, Showtime

Joe Calzaghe
( 35 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 167 lbs

Byron Mitchell
( 25 - 2 - 1 )
Weight: 168 lbs


Long-reigning WBO World Super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe makes the 13th defence of his title against No. 9 ranked contender Byron Mitchell from Dothan, Alabama, USA.

Mitchell, the former WBA World champion had just lost his title in a unification match with IBF belt holder Sven Ottke in Germany three months earlier on a contentious split decision.

From the 1st bell, it was clear that this fight wasn't going to go the distance as Calzaghe targeted his American challenger with hurtful and accurate shots to the head and body. Mitchell fought back hard whenever he got the chance and Calzaghe knew that he was in for a fight as the bell sounded to end the opening stanza.

A minute and a half into the 2nd, Mitchell, concluded a barrage of body shots with a right hand to the head that dropped the champion for the first time in his career.

As battle resumed, Mitchell landed solid hooks, but the champion decided to stand and trade, a decision that proved to be the right one as he caught the oncoming challenger with a hard right hook that dropped him into the ropes. Mitchell was straight up to take the eight count from referee Dave Parris but Calzaghe was not going to be denied. A constant flow of fast, hard hooks, uppercuts and straight left hands bewildered Mitchell and kept him on unsteady legs until he finally fell back into the ropes. Referee Parris waved the fight off at 2:36 of the round and the fervent Welsh crowd roared their support after a great all-action bout.


Joe Calzaghe vs Byron Mitchell on YouTube


Joe Calzaghe vs Byron Mitchell



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