Joe Calzaghe's ascent to world champion status reached its pivotal moment on October 11, 1997, at Sheffield Arena. In a clash that would test both men's mettle, the undefeated Welsh southpaw faced off against the seasoned Chris Eubank for the vacant WBO Super Middleweight title.
Calzaghe, 25, entered the ring with an unblemished 22-0 record but had never gone the full 12 rounds. His opponent, the 31-year-old Eubank, brought experience from 21 world title fights. The late substitution of Eubank for Steve Collins just 13 days before the bout added an extra layer of intrigue.
From the opening bell, Calzaghe's youthful vigour was evident. He dropped Eubank in the first round, signalling his intent. However, Eubank's renowned durability and ring savvy kept him in the fight. The Brighton veteran used every trick to disrupt Calzaghe's rhythm and momentum.
As the rounds progressed, Calzaghe's relentless pace and volume punching began to tell. His southpaw style proved problematic for Eubank, who struggled to land his signature counterpunches with regularity. Calzaghe scored another knockdown in the tenth round, cementing his dominance on the scorecards.
Eubank's resilience was fully displayed as he withstood Calzaghe's onslaught and reached the final bell. The judges' scorecards reflected Calzaghe's control of the bout, with Dave Parris scoring it 118-109, Roy Francis 118-110, and Paul Thomas 116-111, all favouring the new champion.
This fight marked a change in the guard in British boxing. Calzaghe proved he could go far against elite opposition, while Eubank could still compete at the highest level. The bout's significance was aptly summarized by Steve Bunce of the Daily Telegraph, who called it "quite simply one of the finest fights in British boxing history."
This victory was the launchpad for Calzaghe for a career that would see him retire undefeated. For Eubank, it signalled the twilight of a storied career that had captivated British boxing fans for nearly a decade.