From the archive · December 14, 2002
Joe Calzaghe vs Tocker Pudwill
WBO World Super-middleweight Title · Telewest Arena, Newcastle, England
Record 34-0-0 · 167 1/4 lb
Record 39-4-0 · 167 1/2 lb
The fight
Welsh hero Calzaghe made short work of his outclassed opponent, dropping him twice in the 1st round and then overwhelming him with flurries of fast blows that prompted referee Dave Parris to stop the slaughter at 0:39 of the 2nd round.
The conclusive manner of Calzaghe's win confirmed his place in the 168ib pecking order as Pudwill had travelled to Karlsrue, Germany in June 2000 and taken IBF world champion Sven Ottke the full 12 rounds in a title challenge.
This was Calzaghe's 12th defence of the WBO world super-middleweight title he won by outpointing a still very good Chris Eubank in October 1997.