BOXING: 'THE BEST PRESENT' Calzaghe ensures a happy birthday for his dad.Byline: Gareth Jones Gareth Jones can refer to:
AS midnight passed and the celebration drinks flowed, Joe Calzaghe Joe Calzaghe (born 23 March, 1972 in Hammersmith, London England) is a Welsh boxer of Italian and Welsh descent, who is nicknamed "The Pride of Wales". He currently lives in Cwmbran, Wales, and is one of the pound for pound top 10 boxers in the world according to the Ring Magazine. - still WBO WBO World Boxing Organization WBO Western Buddhist Order WBO Wehrbeschwerdeordnung WBO World Bamboo Organization (formerly International Bamboo Association) WBO Won by One (Malibu, California; a cappella group) supermiddleweight champion after rising from the canvas to stop American Byron Mitchell Byron Tarone Mitchell (born October 31, 1973, in Orlando, Florida) was an American boxer in the super middleweight division. Known as "Slama from Bama," Mitchell captured a world class title twice. in two thrilling rounds - walked across to fathertrainer Enzo and wished him a happy birthday. Enzo, 54 yesterday, looked close to tears as he hugged his son and whispered: ``That was the best birthday present I could ever have wished for.'' The elder Calzaghe was not the only person struggling with his emotions after one of the most exhilarating evenings in Welsh boxing history. The 5,000strong full house at Cardiff International Arena The Cardiff International Arena is one of the UK's most modern venues, located right in the city centre of Cardiff. went from despair to delight within seconds as Calzaghe turned an imminent first defeat to emphatic victory. After an opening round in which the 31yearold Newbridge southpaw found former WBA boss Mitchell surprisingly easy to hit, the second saw him out to make a statement to his American audience. It nearly proved disastrous. Calzaghe pulled away from a closequarter exchange without protecting his chin and Mitchell produced a sharp right hand which sent the holder crashing for the first time in his life, amateur or pro. He clambered to his feet, still dazed - despite his postfight denials - but stood toetotoe with his tormentor as Mitchell looked for a finisher. As both men rained in heavy blows, it was Calzaghe who landed the decisive punch, a left which dropped the American to his knees. And from then on it was oneway traffic until referee Dave Parris jumped between them with 24 seconds left in the round. ``I'd always wondered how I'd react if I was knocked down,'' said Calzaghe. ``But I went straight back in and stopped him and that showed I have a champion's heart.'' Mitchell, although initially claiming the stoppage was premature, later changed his tune. ``The ref could have saved me from being badly hurt,'' he admitted. ``So hats off to him.'' And he said Calzaghe was clearly better than Sven Ottke, the unbeaten German who took Mitchell's WBA belt in a controversial decision in March. ``If Joe can get past Ottke's defence, he's there,'' said Mitchell. ``If he catches the German with the sort of barrage of punches he caught me with, I think he will stop him.'' CAPTION(S): # BACK ON TOP Joe Calzaghe forces Byron Mitchell backwards in the decisive second round.; # RECEIVING END Byron Mitchell connects with a right.; PICTURE: Getty Images |
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