Calzaghe confirms his place in history by Ian McNeilly Nov 4th 2007

Joe Calzaghe became the only British boxer in history to have held all four major world titles when he beat Denmark's Mikkel Kessler on points in the early hours of this morning. Having won and since relinquished the IBF super-middleweight title in his demolition of touted Jeff Lacy last year, decade-long WBO champ Calzaghe grabbed Kessler's WBC and WBA belts to complete a clean sweep of the division's titles, thereby achieving a dominance no other British fight has ever managed. The ringside judges at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium scored the bout unanimously in Calzaghe's favour – 117-111 and 116-112 twice. I had it closer at 116-114. Kessler was not intimidated by the patriotic fervour of the reported 50,000 fans in attendance, perhaps buoyed both by the occasion and the fact that several thousands of his own countrymen had made the journey to support him. Calzaghe positively lapped up the feverish adulation – he had worked 25 years for this night. He was born for this moment. Calzaghe took the opener as he was just the quicker but it was apparent from the bell that Kessler was a force to be reckoned with. Boxing in very orthodox fashion, the Dane displayed a ramrod jab as Calzaghe looked to adapt. The Welshman's characteristic contempt showed its face in the second session when Kessler caught him with a sharp 1-2; Calzaghe dropped his hands in typical bravado and was clipped with another. The round was definitely the visitor's. Calzaghe opened the third with a body shot and Kessler stumbled to the canvas but referee Michael Ortega cut short the rabid cheers of the partisan crowd when he rightly ruled it as a slip. A brief tear up ensued and there were shades of Calzaghe's complete dominance of Jeff Lacy as he cracked Kessler with three lefts in succession whilst offering no defence of his own. The fourth simply confirmed that the Dane was not going to be easily subdued. After Calzaghe had thrown a trademark flurry he was backed up by a hard right hand and the first of what proved to be Kessler's most successful attacking option of the night – a right uppercut clean through the guard of the WBO champion. He repeated the trick and Calzaghe was definitely hurt, though was far too experienced to give his opponent a boost by betraying off danger signs. The fifth was a shared session with Calzaghe trying his usual tricks but without genuine success but towards the end of the round he had reverted to decent mid-range boxing, tapping away with an effective southpaw jab. Round six was a turning point as the ever-adaptable Welshman subdued his own tendency to fight inside and reverted to textbook boxing. He won the round clearly, reminding viewers of the skilful technician he can be if he chooses. The seventh went to Kessler on my card. Calzaghe made a great start but Kessler reverted to the right hand assault which had served him well earlier and got through with several stinging blows. Kessler was working and Calzaghe seemed to be taking a breather at the beginning of the eighth. Worryingly, the jabs that had worked so well in round six were now falling short. What Calzaghe did next is what makes him extraordinary. Most fighters would simply use the same tactic but try harder. Calzaghe changed tack yet again, moving to the body with immediate success. The fight was level after eight rounds on my card. The next four rounds showcased everything that makes Calzaghe great. His mix of approaches combined with his famed hand speed bewitched Kessler, himself already confirmed as a world-class operator. The Dane was slightly befuddled in the ninth, confused by Calzaghe's variety and hand speed. The pattern continued in the tenth, Calzaghe boxing beautifully, combining tip-tap single scoring shots with blistering flurries to leave Kessler frustrated, though he did show he was still in the fight, landing another orthodox combination. By now Calzaghe was in imperious form and reverted to his ultra-confident hands down defence in the eleventh, taunting Kessler who, knowing the fight was slipping from his grasp, was desperately trying to get on the front foot. The Dane knew he needed a knockout in the last and went for it. Calzaghe could have ran like a thief but that isn't his style and we love him for it. He shipped a few corking right hands, both straight and uppercuts whilst scoring with several flurries of his own. A great final effort from Kessler and though he didn't win the fight his determination was reflected by him taking the final round. As I wrote some months back, Kessler is very good. But Joe is special. Appreciate him whilst you can. When he's gone – and his father-trainer Enzo says it will be in a year – you won't see another like him for a very long time. “If you think I'm good at 168, wait until you see me at 175 – then you'll see some damage!” gushed the adrenaline-filled victor. “I'll stay on top as long as I want to stay on top.” Frank Warren was, if only for a few seconds, speechless. “The best UK boxer since the war.” Mikkel Kessler now has millions of British fans. “He spoiled my boxing, he's good at it. He's a difficult boxer, but a good one.” Magnanimous in defeat, once the great Calzaghe's shadow is cast upon the light-heavyweight division, however briefly, Kessler can begin to attempt to emulate his conqueror. He won't achieve such dominance. But tomorrow, he must aspire to be the best. Today, the best is Joe Calzaghe.

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