19 years ago

Date: 10th September 2005

Venue: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales

Title: WBO World Super-middleweight Title

Promoter: Frank Warren

Tv: Sky Sports

Joe Calzaghe
( 39 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 167 1/2 lbs

Evans Ashira
( 24 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 166 lbs

Former WBA World Middleweight title challenger Evans Ashira scored the best win of his career 5 months before challenging WBO world super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe in Cardiff when he travelled to Madison Square Garden, New York and beat unbeaten Quentin Smith (21-0-0). Although naturally smaller than the Welshman, Ashira came to Wales with plenty of confidence.

Unfortunately for the challenger, the size difference was too much against a top-tier champion such as Calzaghe. A cut over his left eye caused by a clash of heads didn't help his cause but he was probably lucky that the champion badly hurt his left hand in the 3rd or 4th round.

Ashira managed to hear the final bell although losing widely on the judge's scorecards.

Scores:  Henk Adriaansen 120-108 | Renato Caddeo 120-107 | Paul Thomas 120-108