- 1 day ago
Undefeated WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Cazlaghe defends his title against Richie Woodhall on Showtime Boxing
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00:00:00as tonight we come to you from the steel city of Sheffield England coming up next our main event
00:00:09the WBO super middleweight championship but not just another title fight it's Kalsaki and Woodall
00:00:15pal since their amateur days yet both saying they won't hold back
00:00:19well tonight's main event is a marquee matchup in Great Britain it was originally expected to
00:00:26be a title unification match until Woodall lost his belt to Marcus Beyer late last year
00:00:31but this long-awaited much-anticipated showdown has still piqued the interests of the British fans
00:00:36due to the fact that it not only matches two homegrown products against one another
00:00:40but two longtime friends here are the thoughts of the two men entering the bout
00:00:45in boxing he's he's a good friend of mine I've a lot of respect for him inside and outside of the ring
00:00:57but I've always liked I've always liked Joe I've always got on well with him and we've discussed
00:01:00obviously boxing people and opponents and whatever we've always got on well I mean I can't say anything
00:01:06different really you know he's a nice guy we both have a lot of a lot of things in common
00:01:10as um our father's both trainers you know both family men um both soccer fans and it basically
00:01:17you know you've both got a lot of things in common although he's Joe Kalsaki I won't be looking at him
00:01:22as Joe Kalsaki the friend of that I know um he's Joe Kalsaki the opponent and this is business
00:01:28I don't look at across the corner and see Richie Woodall I just see somebody who's out there to try
00:01:33and take away my uh my living and basically my world title and I can't you know allow that to happen
00:01:38I really believe at 32 now if I lose this fight then I wouldn't have the desire to step down
00:01:45even for the British title to be honest for me now at this stage of my career it's it's world titles
00:01:51or nothing and I know that if I get beat in this fight there's no more opportunities for me at world
00:01:56title level he's very very dangerous because he says his last chance so you know anybody with that
00:02:01attitude obviously has to be given that most respect win or lose then I'll shake his hand at the end
00:02:06of the fight buy him a beer and I always say that the winner buys the beer so hopefully I'll be buying
00:02:11a beer
00:02:12well given the circumstances it will be interesting to see the reaction of the crowd here in Sheffield
00:02:24England will they side with one over the other or will their support be divided who better to turn
00:02:29two for some answers and our British correspondent Colin Hart Colin welcome aboard nice to have you
00:02:34with us nice to be here who do you think the fans will be supporting here tonight I think it'll be
00:02:38evenly divided actually Sheffield is closer to Woodhall's home which is a place called Telford and of course
00:02:45Carl Zaghi is a Walshman they those fans have to come a lot longer they have to travel a lot longer
00:02:51so I think we're evenly divided give us some perspective just how big is this fight here in
00:02:57England well this is a fight that the British fans have waited nearly three years to see
00:03:01and unfortunately it's probably two years too late for Woodhall but it is on paper a very close and
00:03:08exciting prospect you know Carl Zaghi has got tremendous potential which he's never really
00:03:14fulfilled and Woodhall is a very experienced pro and so and what of course is making it more interesting
00:03:21outside the ring they're great friends once that bell goes friendship goes out the window and they both
00:03:27promise to try and knock each other out and in your opinion how do you see this fight unfolding well I
00:03:32can't see anything other than a Calzaghi win Woodhall's a very proud man and he's got a good heart and a
00:03:38good chin so I think it'll probably go to distance but I think Calzaghi will win overwhelmingly
00:03:43all right thank you very much Colin thanks for joining us I just stayed all right we turn back
00:03:47now to Bobby Chez and Bobby from a technical point of view Joe Calzaghi fights from a southpaw stance
00:03:54will that have a major bearing on the fight well Woodall's two losses have been the southpaw so
00:03:59it bodes that maybe he does not fight against southpaw as well but even more than that it's the style
00:04:03style of this southpaw Joe Calzaghi who's very quick he's very busy throws a lot of punches if he gets on
00:04:09the inside this fight could heat up and become a war very early because Woodall's going to be forced
00:04:13to fight or get exterminated at the same time Woodall from the outside very hard to hit if he can keep
00:04:17the fight at a distance this could be a very boring and long chess match Woodall's only two losses in
00:04:22fact are against Keith Holmes and Marcus Byer two southpaws and as mentioned going from the left
00:04:28side is Joe Calzaghi which leads us to your keys to victory for the main event all right Steve two
00:04:34British friends collide for Britain's pride and bragging rights and possible supremacy at 168 pounds
00:04:41we'll start with the champion Joe Calzaghi his overall speed is amazing hand and foot he gets the
00:04:48combinations off as well multiple combinations has been very devastating to his opponents and also
00:04:53sharp counter punching he'll make you miss and he will make you pay here we're going to see Calzaghi
00:04:58against Chris Eubank little jab and a left hook of it southpaw throws left hook is unusual he throws
00:05:03in a crisp right hook then another left hook just went to the body and what he does he just stays on
00:05:09top punches just keep coming there's the body shot now here he makes the adjustment the hands go up for
00:05:14Eubank he looks to block those roundhouse shots Calzaghi comes up the middle but he doesn't come just one or
00:05:20two he just keeps firing up the middle until he has Eubank almost banged into submission Woodall's a
00:05:29little different taller fighter wants to keep the fight more of a range he has to establish an effective
00:05:33jab to keep the southpaw Calzaghi out also keep him at that distance that's where he's much more
00:05:38effective and every once in a while he does throw a pretty good straight right hand when it lands it
00:05:43can do damage here against Keith Holmes he wants to keep that distance this is where he likes to box keep a
00:05:48safe distance he uses a triple jab not one not two but three and he throws a right hand it doesn't
00:05:54land real clean but this is what he has to do to Calzaghi he's going to keep him off keep him at bay
00:05:59with that jab and fire the right hand but hopefully he'll be more accurate well Bobby we've broken the
00:06:03fight down there's only one thing left to do how about a prediction Steve I like the busier fighters
00:06:08the ones that are more accurate and throw more punches I have to go with Calzaghi I think mid to late
00:06:12round knockout for Calzaghi or unanimous decision all right it's unanimous Bobby Chez and Colin Hart
00:06:17both go for Calzaghi let's get it back up to Jimmy Lennon Jr. for the announcement of the ring walks
00:06:22ladies and gentlemen we are ready for the feature down of the evening prepare to welcome the boxers as
00:06:32they make their way to the ring at this time ladies and gentlemen please welcome the challenger
00:06:37from Telford England introducing Richie Woodall
00:06:43the challenger Richie Woodall former WBC super middleweight champion a real throwback no glossy
00:06:57trippings he's paid his dues the amateurs former Commonwealth and European champ worked hard to get
00:07:04to the top as world champion a career that has been worthy but unspectacular lost on points
00:07:10honorably to Roy Jones at the Seoul Olympics taking the bronze high point of his career out boxing sugar boy
00:07:16malinga to win the title almost three years ago two defenses then losing the belt to German southpaw
00:07:22mark his fire since then a routine win over a nondescript opponent a career blighted by inconsistency and injury
00:07:30bothered by a back ailment plus an elbow problem that restricts the way he uses his right hand
00:07:37as Woodall makes his way in Bobby can can he overcome all of that to finally escape the shadow of Calzaghi
00:07:48Chris Eubank Nigel Bennett and other top British fighters in recent year we know Steve fight fans have a very short memory if he comes in tight against Calzaghi
00:07:56as quality champion and he looks good dominates and wins his title but forget about his past and if he goes on to defend that championship admirably and honorably
00:08:04he'll leave his own legacy behind time is ticking by for Richie Woodall by his own admission he's an old 32
00:08:12he says this is his last chance for a title a bad loss could mean the end of his career
00:08:19let's get it back to Jimmy Lennon Jr. to bring in Calzaghi
00:08:27and now ladies and gentlemen making his way to the ring here comes the defending world champion
00:08:33from Newbridge South Wales introducing Joe Calzaghi
00:08:39returning to the scene of his title victory the champion Joe Calzaghi from the coal mines of Wales
00:08:48although victorious he has been inconsistent of late
00:08:52off an impressive fifth round TKO over New Jersey's Omar Sheikah
00:08:56put forth an uninspiring effort in his previous bout out pointing countryman David Starry on the Tyson Francis card
00:09:04was basically untested until his shockingly easy win over the favorite Chris Eubank to capture the title in 97
00:09:10and among his six defenses the biggest name was former WBC champ Robin Reed
00:09:16the place is about half full for this fight it's each about 10,000 10 11,000 for boxing 5 or 6,000 are here
00:09:25as you look at Calzaghi who's been plagued by injuries elbow hand back
00:09:30generally Bobby how do you size up his skills and how good can he be
00:09:34well Calzaghi's ring skills are very good he boxes very well he's got pretty good speed
00:09:38and power for a super middleweight his ring general super good his condition is good
00:09:41his focus and aggressiveness also very good as that 168 pounder right now I like him as the guy to beat
00:09:47probably has a good chance of going to find his decision if he stays healthy he's had some injuries
00:09:52feeling is he has to not only win but win impressively to earn a shot at triple light heavyweight champ Roy Jones
00:10:00the last thing he needs unless he intends to make the really big money is a 12 round tactical boxing match
00:10:07this has to be a thriller
00:10:09let's check the numbers as we go to the tail of the tape
00:10:14Woodall at age 32 is four years older than Calzaghi slight one and a half inch height advantage
00:10:21Woodall Calzaghi gives away two inches in reach and yesterday's weigh-in both came in just under
00:10:26their weights tonight Calzaghi 179 plus 11 and a quarter Woodall 178 and a half plus 11 key rules
00:10:33no standing eight no three knockdown rule but it cannot be saved by the bell in any round if an
00:10:39accidental headbutt occurs before the end of the fourth the batter's ruled a no contest after the
00:10:44end of the fourth we go to the scorecard so they are both actually cruiserweights before the bell
00:10:52they are both nearly 180 pounds well there was a lot of shoving and pushing and yelling during
00:11:02Calzaghi's last free fight with Sheikah complete antithesis here none of the usual trash talking
00:11:08because they are extremely friendly outside of the ring very respectful of one another back to Jimmy
00:11:15Lennon Jr. Ladies and gentlemen we welcome you to the Sheffield Arena here in Sheffield England
00:11:26for the featured bout of the evening brought to you by Frank Warren's Sports Network and Showtime
00:11:33Championship Boxing as sponsored by Red Square this bout coming away is sanctioned by the World Boxing
00:11:40International Organization the president and supervisor is Francisco Valcarcel along with the
00:11:46British Boxing Board of Control the steward in charge is Lord Brooks of Tremorfa our physician at
00:11:52ringside Dr. Graham Stead timekeepers at the bell also keeping countdowns of tonight's bounce
00:11:58Barry Pinder and Colin Roberts introducing to you our three judges scoring them out from ringside
00:12:05from Wolverhampton England we have John Coyle from London England Dave Paris and from Dalton
00:12:12Illinois in the United States Gerald Scott and the referee in charge of this bout he'll be giving
00:12:18instructions after the introductions from Kent England Roy Francis all right fans here we go with
00:12:27the main event of the evening 12 rounds of boxing for the WBO super middleweight championship
00:12:34of the world and now ladies and gentlemen in attendance and boxing fans joining us around
00:12:41the world from Sheffield England it's showtime introducing to you first ladies and gentlemen the challenger on my
00:12:53left he is fighting out of the red corner entering the ring wearing navy blue trunks with white trim
00:13:01fighting out of and representing Telford England he weighed in at 11 stone 13 and
00:13:08one half pounds 167 and one half u.s. pounds his record stands at 26 wins two losses with 16 wins coming by way of
00:13:19knockout here is the former WBC super middleweight champion of the world currently ranked the WBO
00:13:26number two contender introducing Richie Woodall
00:13:34and his opponent across the ring ready to fight on my right in the blue corner the defending world champion
00:13:47wearing black trunks with white trim hailing from Newbridge South Wales he weighed in at 11 stone 13 and
00:13:55three quarter pounds or 167 and three quarter u.s. pounds his record he is undefeated in his campaign
00:14:02to the ring with 29 wins no losses 24 of his wins coming by way of knockout tonight he is making the seventh defense
00:14:12of his title here is the undefeated WBO super middleweight champion of the world
00:14:19introducing Joe
00:14:21Kowalski
00:14:28once again in charge with his bound Roy Francis now to give a structured 12 rounds of championship boxing schedule
00:14:35right look at me me right one of you goes down I'll take the yellow one in the corner you stay there
00:14:45they'll take them out okay now when I say break stand back to exactly what I mean you got it
00:14:50right shake hands have a good one
00:14:53the book on Kowalski aggressive busy lots of movement strong with fast hands doesn't mind trading
00:15:03he'll take one to give two good chin never down Woodall basically a technician strengths are determination
00:15:10durability and heart he's got a decent chin he's been down three or four times but not overly fast and not
00:15:15a big puncher he's a good long-range boxer he likes to go with the gym for the most part but he is
00:15:22susceptible to cuts and injury right now it's going to be important for the champion Kowalski cut that distance
00:15:28down get inside the long-range arms of the challenger if he's going to be effective
00:15:32what all told us the last few fights he's been criticized for starting to slowly can't afford to do
00:15:38that here he said he needs to start quickly immediately get into his rhythm
00:15:43JF box but keep penalties a key at range
00:15:52Calzaghe is swinging a little wildly,
00:15:53looping both hands left and right.
00:15:55Nothing straight down the middle.
00:15:58There's a right hand.
00:16:00He hurt Woodhull.
00:16:03Right hook to the temple.
00:16:09Good start by the champion, Joe Calzaghe,
00:16:12with a right hand that really got the attention
00:16:15of the challenger.
00:16:16There's another right off the top of Woodhull's head.
00:16:19And he is pounding to the body, Calzaghe.
00:16:22Nice right hook to the body.
00:16:23He's coming up top with the two.
00:16:24I think Woodhull's got some real trouble here.
00:16:28They don't look like friends to me.
00:16:30What's the hate?
00:16:32What's the hate?
00:16:35Roy Francis cautioning Woodhull.
00:16:37Woodhull again is backed up.
00:16:39Straight left hand knocked him out.
00:16:41Piece of Woodhull out.
00:16:42Referee stopping to have it washed off.
00:16:45The lead left hand by the champion, Calzaghe.
00:16:48Put Woodhull dead in the mouth.
00:16:49Very difficult opening round for Richie Woodhull.
00:16:52Trying to get his bearings here and regroup.
00:16:55He loses the mouthpiece off of a hard punch by Calzaghe.
00:16:59Now they continue.
00:17:01Might have been a little bit of a blessing in disguise.
00:17:03Give him a chance to clear his head,
00:17:04get his wits about him.
00:17:07There's a good straight right to the body by Woodhull.
00:17:10I'll tell you what.
00:17:11I think the champion ducked in and caught him right on the button.
00:17:16Pretty good action here.
00:17:17Good pace in the first round.
00:17:19Calzaghe doing most of the damage.
00:17:24Nice straight left to the body by the champion.
00:17:29Calzaghe with the left right.
00:17:31The left was beautiful.
00:17:32Straight right on the button.
00:17:34Once again, the speed a big factor,
00:17:36although Woodhull's got pretty good speed himself.
00:17:38For that right hand of Calzaghe, he's finding a hole early.
00:17:46And so far, Woodhull has no answers.
00:17:56Less than 30 seconds in the first round.
00:18:06Good countering left hook to the head by Calzaghe.
00:18:09You can see the champion coming in his hands tight,
00:18:11expecting to get hit on the wing,
00:18:13or at least block and encounter quickly.
00:18:15Well, they're not afraid to mix it up here at the start.
00:18:18Well, they're not afraid to mix it up here at the start.
00:18:21The feet came together.
00:18:23They will tangle when the southpaw
00:18:25fights a conventional fighter.
00:18:28Good first round for the champion.
00:18:45Here in England, they do not allow audio in the corners.
00:18:50We'll do the best we can.
00:18:55The referee is also not Mike.
00:18:57There you go.
00:18:58There you go.
00:18:59There you go.
00:19:00There you go.
00:19:01There you go.
00:19:02There you go.
00:19:03There you go.
00:19:04There you go.
00:19:05Come on, get the feet going again.
00:19:06Come on.
00:19:07Rich, don't forget.
00:19:08As soon as you feel yourself touch them ropes, get away.
00:19:09Don't let him...
00:19:10Don't let him...
00:19:11You'll be honest.
00:19:12You'll be honest.
00:19:13Come on, just settle in.
00:19:14First round's out.
00:19:15Take a look at that right hook.
00:19:20He lands a nice, crisp right hook to the head of Woodall,
00:19:24and that got him first started,
00:19:26and Ruth to be in a little bit of trouble.
00:19:28And Woodall comes out very aggressively.
00:19:33And he came out right down the middle with the right hand.
00:19:36Corner said to him,
00:19:37you heard him with the right hand,
00:19:38bring it down the middle.
00:19:40Woodall with bad intentions there.
00:19:44Round two scheduled for 12
00:19:49for the WBO Super Middleweight Championship.
00:19:52Well, they know each other very well
00:19:54in and out of the ring.
00:19:55They've never really spired extensively.
00:19:57Just one round.
00:19:59Calzaghi told us.
00:20:01Well, after tonight,
00:20:02tonight they can consider themselves all but intimate.
00:20:05Very much so.
00:20:06Don't hold it.
00:20:07They ain't that.
00:20:09Nice straight left hand by Calzaghi,
00:20:14but Woodall firing back with the right hand.
00:20:16Hang on, he's on!
00:20:17Let him go!
00:20:18Hurry!
00:20:19Get out!
00:20:20Move!
00:20:21Move!
00:20:22Move!
00:20:23Move!
00:20:24Move!
00:20:25Move!
00:20:26Move!
00:20:27Move!
00:20:28Move!
00:20:29Move!
00:20:30Move!
00:20:31Move!
00:20:32Move!
00:20:33Move!
00:20:34Move!
00:20:35Move!
00:20:36Move!
00:20:37Move!
00:20:38Move!
00:20:39Move!
00:20:40Move!
00:20:41Move!
00:20:42Move!
00:20:43Move!
00:20:44Move!
00:20:45Move!
00:20:46Move!
00:20:47He's starting to get the timing now and he's blocking punches well on the inside
00:21:07Past the halfway point of round two
00:21:09It looks like Woodall has suddenly figured Kalsakie out here in the second round after a tough opener.
00:21:23But we'll see how long that lasts.
00:21:27Well, Woodall evidently made some of the adjustments now because Kalsakie has to make them back.
00:21:35Right hand got in by Woodall to the head of Kalsakie.
00:21:39Come on, come on.
00:21:47A flurry by Kalsakie.
00:21:51Goodall with a bloody nose.
00:22:02Both very aggressive here in round two.
00:22:06Some good exchanges.
00:22:07Well, they're certainly fighting like they are not friends, but they are.
00:22:20Nice combination by the champion.
00:22:22Maybe Woodall missed counter with four punches.
00:22:24Maybe only two of them landed.
00:22:26The bell to win the second round.
00:22:28A much better one for Woodall.
00:22:30You're not letting them work before you first.
00:22:35Are you with me?
00:22:36You're letting them work first.
00:22:38You're letting them work first.
00:22:40The job isn't working.
00:22:42You've got to get the first shot in.
00:22:43You're going to attack.
00:22:44You're going to fight.
00:22:45You're letting them get the first shot in.
00:22:49You're giving me three minutes.
00:22:51You're giving me three minutes.
00:22:53Stay in and take your shot in.
00:22:59Normally on the inside, Calzaghe gets the better of the action.
00:23:06But Woodall this round has landed some nice right hands on the inside and from the outside.
00:23:12Better round for Woodall.
00:23:13I think he squeaked that one out, Steve.
00:23:20A trickle of blood appearing from Woodall's nose at 2.30 of round two, a round which he's probably one of the judges' scorecards.
00:23:28Calzaghe's scoring this hit.
00:23:29You've got to work him behind the jab.
00:23:31Stop letting him work first.
00:23:32But working behind the jab in Perigan.
00:23:36Woodall's had two operations on his right elbow.
00:23:40One before the Keith Holmes fight in 96 and one after it.
00:23:48If he throws from long range, he can damage the elbow again.
00:23:51So he has to get in close almost with the elbow bent to be effective.
00:23:55There's a good straight right to the jaw by Woodall.
00:23:58Come on, Steve.
00:24:01Come on, you've got the fitness on him.
00:24:03Come on.
00:24:04You've made the right.
00:24:05Woodall feels he's in better condition physically than Calzaghe.
00:24:10So the longer this fight goes, he feels he's in better shape.
00:24:13Calzaghe right now is looking to time Woodall.
00:24:15I see him looking and watching and trying to time what appears to be trying to time the motion.
00:24:21And so far, a little less action from the champion, looking for something.
00:24:25Move, move, move.
00:24:28Calzaghe's peppering the head of Woodall.
00:24:32It was a nicely timed right hand by the champion, too, over the dropped left hand of the challenger.
00:24:37What's that?
00:24:39Heads will come together under these circumstances.
00:24:42Give your punches up, son.
00:24:43Woodall being warned by the referee, Roy Francis, to keep the punches up.
00:24:49It was nearly a low blow with the right uppercut.
00:24:52Here's a good right hand, a stiff right to the neck by Woodall.
00:24:59Woodall not known for his power, more of a boxer.
00:25:0426-2 with 16 knockouts.
00:25:06Calzaghe undefeated, 29-0, 24 by KO.
00:25:10Right now at this range, while Calzaghe stays outside, Woodall is more effective.
00:25:14Once he gets inside, it's all Calzaghe.
00:25:18It's all Calzaghe.
00:25:20Woodall was stunned at the 52-second mark of round one, but then able to pull it together.
00:25:28Less than a minute in round three.
00:25:35Right hand by Woodall, sending Calzaghe back momentarily.
00:25:40On the inside, Calzaghe tends to outwork Woodall.
00:25:42Woodall a little bit of a shot in the big right hand from the outside.
00:25:45On the inside, Calzaghe three, four shots.
00:25:47The body comes up top.
00:25:50Feeling that Calzaghe is stronger than Woodall.
00:25:56Woodall trying to use his smarts.
00:25:59Calzaghe's starting to work now.
00:26:00Body right hand from the body being very effective.
00:26:04Digging in to the midsection is Calzaghe.
00:26:09Good right hand off the top of the head by Calzaghe.
00:26:16Final seconds, round three.
00:26:27Good round.
00:26:31Good round.
00:26:35Good round.
00:26:36Good round too.
00:26:37Good round.
00:26:38Are you with me?
00:26:39Throw your combination.
00:26:40Are you with me?
00:26:41Say your combination.
00:26:42You're doing your manganese.
00:26:43Sit.
00:26:44Sit.
00:26:45Will you sit on your shot to be more?
00:26:46All right?
00:26:47Sit on your shot to be more, John.
00:26:48Your right hand.
00:26:49Believe me, though.
00:26:50You throw your right hand.
00:26:51You go straight.
00:26:52Try it right left and right.
00:26:53All right?
00:26:54You with me?
00:26:55Are you with me?
00:26:56I've got to say you've just done one shot by 10.
00:26:58I'm not jabbering you.
00:26:59No.
00:27:00No.
00:27:01No.
00:27:02No.
00:27:03No.
00:27:04No.
00:27:05No.
00:27:06No.
00:27:07No.
00:27:08No.
00:27:09No.
00:27:10No.
00:27:11No.
00:27:12No.
00:27:13No.
00:27:14No.
00:27:15No.
00:27:16No.
00:27:17No.
00:27:18No.
00:27:19No.
00:27:20No.
00:27:21No.
00:27:22No.
00:27:49No.
00:27:50for the most part.
00:27:51You notice a little different
00:27:52piece that he had in flow here.
00:27:55Kalsaki came out backing up
00:27:56with Woodall coming forward.
00:27:58That's much better for Woodall.
00:28:00Not as good for the champions.
00:28:02A combination with a head by Woodall.
00:28:04Looking sharp.
00:28:05Criss punches.
00:28:06Another right hand by Woodall that scored.
00:28:09And good defense
00:28:11as Woodall able to cover up.
00:28:20Woodall looking a lot more confident
00:28:22since a very rugged first round.
00:28:34Right hand off the top of the head.
00:28:36You can see the champions.
00:28:37Right hand is grazing off the top
00:28:38of the head of Woodall.
00:28:39He's trying to tune him up
00:28:40with that right hook.
00:28:41Here again he misses.
00:28:42But he needs to come forward.
00:28:43He cannot let Woodall dictate
00:28:45the pace and the distance.
00:28:47That's not good for the champions.
00:28:48Both very intelligent
00:28:50fighters but it looks like Woodall
00:28:51has made the proper adjustments.
00:29:01Wait for him.
00:29:02Wait for him.
00:29:03Woodall on his toes.
00:29:06Kalsaki is more flat-footed.
00:29:09That one seemed to be a little low.
00:29:11Roy Francis
00:29:12warning Joe Kalsaki.
00:29:13Woodall wears the trunks up high.
00:29:21He's on guard with no lay-mouth.
00:29:25Pitch the rim.
00:29:25Come on.
00:29:26Less than a minute left in round four.
00:29:33On the jab.
00:29:37Kalsaki trying to pick it up.
00:29:39Kalsagi keeping his mind on the body, too.
00:29:42He's always got a body punch mixed in the combinations.
00:29:44Very smart.
00:29:46A volley of punches to the chest by Kalsagi.
00:29:50Woodall bouncing off the ropes.
00:29:52Not a very bright thing to do there.
00:29:54He'll look right in the shot.
00:29:55Trapped against the ropes there.
00:29:57Able to spin away is Woodall.
00:29:59Now Kalsagi also making adjustments.
00:30:01The body work really tells him.
00:30:04More cautioning to Kalsagi for low blows.
00:30:07I'll tell you what,
00:30:08the dangers were close to taking the point here.
00:30:09You saw the referee very upset about that low blow,
00:30:12although I thought it was a belt shot.
00:30:18The aggression rages on
00:30:20as they continue to trade.
00:30:22Don't blow it.
00:30:36Don't blow it.
00:30:36Let's have the movement to stand in stagnant.
00:30:39Let's just wind it up a bit.
00:30:40This is what I'm saying.
00:30:41Three.
00:30:42Three.
00:30:42Three deep.
00:30:43Have you been all right?
00:30:44Yeah.
00:30:44Well, come on then.
00:30:45Let's do it what we've just been doing.
00:30:48Let's do what we've been doing in there.
00:30:50What we've been doing.
00:30:51Move.
00:30:51You know you're standing still getting in shots.
00:30:53Then fly them in.
00:30:54Follow them out.
00:30:56Three.
00:30:57Come on.
00:30:57Three deep.
00:30:57Think about it.
00:30:58That's it you've got out of the three.
00:31:00Now let's go.
00:31:00Let's do it.
00:31:01We ain't started yet.
00:31:03It's another Bayern jab,
00:31:04but this time you're all right with it.
00:31:06Woodall being pretty effective with that right hand there,
00:31:08trying to rip it underneath.
00:31:10The double right hand with a little bit of a jab
00:31:11stuck in between,
00:31:13trying to keep Calzaghi at a distance.
00:31:14Now we'll take a look at that south of the border shot.
00:31:18That one,
00:31:19south of the border,
00:31:20left uppercut,
00:31:20which did go low.
00:31:22Second up,
00:31:24round five.
00:31:26Round five,
00:31:27this Dorano,
00:31:27which the champion knocked up
00:31:29and coming American challenge,
00:31:31Omar Sheikah,
00:31:32four months ago.
00:31:39But that was a totally different kind of fight for Calzaghi.
00:31:42Oh,
00:31:42beautiful right uppercut by Woodall
00:31:44on the chin of Calzaghi.
00:31:48Very sharp and accurate punch.
00:31:51Woodall's nose bloody.
00:31:54But he's the one landing.
00:31:57Early parts of the round have tended to sway
00:32:00toward the challenger, Woodall,
00:32:02with the champion making adjustments and closures.
00:32:04There,
00:32:04another right hand on the chin of Calzaghi.
00:32:08Calzaghi has never been down.
00:32:10Nice straight left hand by the champion.
00:32:22And I think what happens is in the beginning of the round,
00:32:25when Woodall is not forced to run and move and get out of the way,
00:32:28he gets outworked as the end of the round comes,
00:32:30because Calzaghi turns it on.
00:32:32Good shot,
00:32:32come on!
00:32:33Woodall,
00:32:33the number two contender,
00:32:35his sixth world title fight,
00:32:36three and two in those fights.
00:32:39Four years older than the champion at 32.
00:32:46He said he was motivated by fear going into this fight,
00:32:49fear of being humiliated.
00:32:50Well,
00:32:52he's certainly not being humiliated.
00:32:56But he is getting a bloody face.
00:33:01Right now,
00:33:02the rounds are very close.
00:33:03I have it three rounds to one for the champion.
00:33:05I think he's outworked with all the majority of the first,
00:33:09third,
00:33:09and the fourth round,
00:33:10the second round,
00:33:10I gave to Woodall.
00:33:11But this fight is still very close.
00:33:13It's not in any way,
00:33:14shape,
00:33:15or form one-sided.
00:33:17Calzaghi coming in,
00:33:18the prohibitive favorite.
00:33:20And I'm sure in his mind,
00:33:26a little too close for comfort right here.
00:33:32Heavy straight right
00:33:33by Richie Woodall
00:33:35in the upper chest area.
00:33:41The blood of Woodall
00:33:42carrying over to the body
00:33:45of Joe Calzaghi.
00:33:47Showing his fast hands there.
00:33:49Calzaghi
00:33:49beautiful combination.
00:33:51He rocked out of the way.
00:33:52The right hand by Woodall
00:33:53came back with a one-two.
00:33:54Really looking effective.
00:33:55And again,
00:33:55there's some punches and bunches
00:33:57making the difference.
00:33:59But if they're willing to trade like this,
00:34:01you may have to get
00:34:02the upper hand of the champion.
00:34:08He's got more pop on his punch.
00:34:10Both have good chins.
00:34:12And there's more punches in between.
00:34:15Woodall lands with a straight right to the head.
00:34:20And that gets the crowd going.
00:34:23Most of them seem to be behind Woodall,
00:34:25who's from Telford, England.
00:34:27Now,
00:34:28he just gave a big wink
00:34:30at the bell
00:34:31to his buddy,
00:34:32Richie Woodall.
00:34:33Good friendship.
00:34:41Listen to what your dad's saying here.
00:34:43Come on.
00:34:43You're standing there.
00:34:43You know,
00:34:44I do it for him,
00:34:44Richie.
00:34:45Just standing there.
00:34:45Straight right, Richie.
00:34:46Straight right.
00:34:46This is where you get stronger now.
00:34:48You know,
00:34:48I haven't seen this double gun.
00:34:50He just slipped down the side
00:34:51with a loose.
00:34:51I've told him
00:34:52how three times this goes.
00:34:54It's true.
00:34:54It's all I have a body shot.
00:34:59Calzaghi's speed here.
00:35:00There's not hard punches.
00:35:02He lands another combination.
00:35:03Makes a miss.
00:35:04Then comes right back
00:35:05with another three-punch combination.
00:35:07That's where he's at his best.
00:35:08Punch,
00:35:09make a miss,
00:35:09and punch some more.
00:35:14To Woodall's credit,
00:35:15he comes back
00:35:16with a couple of right hands.
00:35:17One or two,
00:35:18which lands pretty clean.
00:35:19Here's an uppercut.
00:35:20He went over the top.
00:35:21He went over the top,
00:35:21blocked a little bit.
00:35:23But there's a third one.
00:35:24Woodall fighting back
00:35:25in a fourth.
00:35:26Woodall taking some heavy shots
00:35:27from Calzaghi,
00:35:29but fighting bravely.
00:35:30There have been no knockdowns
00:35:31thus far in the fight.
00:35:33Woodall's nose
00:35:34was bloodied in round two.
00:35:36Blood began to flow more freely
00:35:37from his forehead
00:35:38in round five.
00:35:40It is now the sixth.
00:35:43Scheduled for 12
00:35:44for the WBO 168-pound title.
00:35:47Calzaghi has had difficulty
00:35:53staying at this weight.
00:35:55You can almost see Woodall
00:35:57trying to wind up
00:35:58that right uppercut.
00:35:58You can almost see him
00:35:59telegraphing.
00:36:00He was leaning with his shoulder,
00:36:01almost turning the punch out
00:36:03before Calzaghi came in.
00:36:04Don't get the round of weight.
00:36:06That's it.
00:36:06Don't get the round of weight.
00:36:08Come on, Richie.
00:36:09Look at this.
00:36:11Right back.
00:36:12Right back.
00:36:13Back.
00:36:14So back.
00:36:15Hooks off.
00:36:16You may notice on Woodall's
00:36:17trunks on the lower right side
00:36:19there, the initials.
00:36:22They're for Nicky Grace,
00:36:23a former fighter,
00:36:24good friend of his,
00:36:25killed in a car crash
00:36:26at the age of 26.
00:36:28Woodall took his world title belt
00:36:29to brace his grave
00:36:30after he became champion
00:36:32and sometimes goes on his training
00:36:34runs up by the cemetery.
00:36:37He wants to bring another championship belt
00:36:40up to the grave
00:36:41if he can beat Calzaghi.
00:36:44Pace slowed down a little bit here.
00:36:46Some of that cat-and-mouse chest game
00:36:47ensuing.
00:36:49Neither fighter taking a big lead here.
00:36:50We're in on the counters.
00:36:51Right hand was blocked by Woodall.
00:36:57Woodall comes smacking back
00:36:58with a left-right combination
00:37:00to the head.
00:37:01Probably the best combination
00:37:01so far for Woodall.
00:37:09That stopped Calzaghi in his tracks.
00:37:11That's why Woodall is rising to the occasion,
00:37:24I'd have to say.
00:37:25Fighting well.
00:37:26He needs to be a little bit more busy,
00:37:27but this fight is still pretty close.
00:37:29PUNCHES OUT.
00:37:34There you go, Mike.
00:37:37Right, France is staring down.
00:37:39Richie Woodall
00:37:40keep those punches up, he said.
00:37:44Those punches are a little too light,
00:37:46a little too slappy.
00:37:47Champion has better
00:37:49Artillery than he's using right now
00:37:5424 of his 29 wins by knockout
00:38:03Downed Chris use banks seconds in with a left hook to the jaw
00:38:08It is title victory here in Sheffield right uppercut was deflected by Kalsaki
00:38:13Kalsaki throwing more one at a time than he had
00:38:21Showing because little was able to time him and time up
00:38:27It's a close fight here in Sheffield England in our main event for the WBO super middleweight championship
00:38:34the heavily favored champion Joe Kalsaki
00:38:38From Wales against Telford England's
00:38:43Ritchie what all proud of about 5,000 on hand to see it
00:39:01Come again
00:39:07You took the rest
00:39:09All right
00:39:11Don't let him get arrested
00:39:12All right
00:39:13You really?
00:39:14Are you ready?
00:39:15Ten seconds corners
00:39:16Go
00:39:18Come on
00:39:21And even fight thus far between these two friends
00:39:24Bobby Ches, how do you see it unofficially?
00:39:26Unofficially 4-2 for the champion
00:39:28I think Chalzaki's outworked him the majority of the rounds, but we're all not going anywhere just yet
00:39:35Pretty clean fight except for a couple of low blows here and there good action between these two 168 pounder
00:39:43You saw right now champion come out with a little more purpose figure he probably lost that last round I gave the last round with all
00:39:50Also, he stopped working the body in the last round also could be very telling
00:39:57We're at the halfway point of this championship fight
00:39:59Mike
00:40:00Standby
00:40:01Again, what all telling us that he felt the longer this fight would go
00:40:05The better the advantage for him because he feels he's in better condition for whatever reason then
00:40:10Calzaghe
00:40:12Hard right hand there by
00:40:13Woodall
00:40:14To the head of Calzaghe
00:40:15He ate that one
00:40:16He walked into the right hook counterpunch there too
00:40:18Getting a little right hand happy is Woodall
00:40:20Not waiting that time and not setting it up
00:40:22Woodall said he learned from his losses to Southpaws Marcus Byer and Keith Holmes
00:40:25He's showing that here
00:40:27He's showing that here
00:40:28He's showing that here
00:40:29He's showing that here
00:40:30He's showing that here
00:40:31Come on
00:40:41One more interesting
00:40:42Once again the combinations by Woodall
00:40:43Assoost by the champion
00:40:44Woodall not responding
00:40:57I move forward right there
00:40:58He responds there with a straight right hand
00:41:00with the Adams happening.
00:41:04There's another right hand to the chest by Woodall.
00:41:07He is just loading up now.
00:41:09Yeah, he's trying to get one of those right hands home.
00:41:11He's not throwing punches in bunches,
00:41:13not throwing a nice combination.
00:41:14He's not ready in Lance, being effective.
00:41:16He better be careful not to open himself up
00:41:18to a return shot by Calzaghe.
00:41:28Calzaghe again coming forward, pressing the attack.
00:41:32Woodall then ties him up.
00:41:34Woodall may be a bit tired,
00:41:36but he nailed him with a right hand
00:41:39that got the attention of the champion.
00:41:41Snapped the champion's head back with right hand
00:41:43and a left hook.
00:41:43And again, Calzaghe goes back to the body.
00:41:49That was perhaps the challenger's best punch of the night.
00:41:54Richie Woodall.
00:41:55And now he's got Calzaghe backing up.
00:42:02Woodall, very confident now,
00:42:04continues to march forward on the attack
00:42:06with 20 seconds left in the seven.
00:42:10Now with Calzaghe pulling away ineffectively,
00:42:14Woodall getting the better of Calzaghe.
00:42:16Hey, Calzaghe!
00:42:22Good head fake by Woodall.
00:42:24Nails it with another short look right hand.
00:42:27Good finish by Woodall in round seven.
00:42:38Last day, Mr Redford does.
00:42:41Part of that video in Manfred.
00:42:43I have an unbelievable man with an virtuously bad.
00:42:44Yeah, it's great.
00:42:48I want one more thing.
00:42:50You've got to ask a question, are you?
00:42:52Make sure you are.
00:42:54Simple as that.
00:42:56It doesn't matter, you're not working enough.
00:43:00What do you think you've done?
00:43:02You're not fighting.
00:43:08Show me some boxing what you've been doing.
00:43:12Come on, this is it now.
00:43:14This is your life now, move.
00:43:16Move to the left.
00:43:18Listen to me, move to the left.
00:43:20Much drama in the two corners, a sense of urgency,
00:43:22more so in the Calzaghe corner.
00:43:26As we enter into round eight,
00:43:30the former champ's best punch thus far
00:43:32came at the 2.15 mark of round seven, which he will.
00:43:36And it really opens up now.
00:43:38Goodall's taking his shot right now.
00:43:40Now he feels that maybe the momentum's turned a little.
00:43:42He's closing the gap in rounds.
00:43:44This may be his place to make the moment.
00:43:48Goodall again dancing around on his toes.
00:43:50Ritchie Woodall looking for the upset.
00:44:08That would please the fans here, most of them.
00:44:12Another good right hand by Woodall
00:44:14that Calzaghe seemed to just walk right into.
00:44:18Nobody's trying to stop it and block it and then counter,
00:44:20but he's not blocking it as cleanly as he needs to.
00:44:22And his counterpunches are a little slow.
00:44:24He's waiting on Woodall and needs to take the lead.
00:44:26Right now, Woodall looking quicker than normally fast Calzaghe.
00:44:32We're walking with a little right hook counterpunch there.
00:44:34We'll see what's in the prediction roll.
00:44:36Missing with that right, Woodall.
00:44:40Woodall, again, electing to fight from close range,
00:44:46when he is typically a long-range fighter.
00:44:50I'm feeling that this is the best strategy
00:44:52to learn of a victory.
00:44:56The right uppercut to the jaw by Woodall.
00:44:58That is a nice jab.
00:45:00By Woodall.
00:45:02He stepped a beautiful jab right in his chair
00:45:04as the champion opened up his hands,
00:45:06didn't block it right down the middle.
00:45:08Great follow-up by the challenger,
00:45:10and then a beautiful elusive move
00:45:12and a countering shot by Woodall.
00:45:14Woodall looking as good as he has all night long.
00:45:16Up here in round eight.
00:45:18Extremely confident.
00:45:20And Calzaghe looking a bit confused right now.
00:45:32The crowd urging Woodall off.
00:45:34Working everything!
00:45:36Jump him out! Jump him out!
00:45:38Let go! Let go!
00:45:40Pull out!
00:45:42Calzaghe's tired.
00:45:44Showing some signs of wear and tears, team.
00:45:46Not looking like he did in the early rounds.
00:45:50And yet, Woodall still looks reasonably crisp.
00:45:52And that's exactly what Woodall said would happen.
00:45:56But here's Calzaghe on the attack now.
00:45:58Calzaghe hit him with a good, clean combination.
00:46:00Followed up with second and third.
00:46:02Oh, that may have been a low one.
00:46:04And Woodall staggers around.
00:46:06Yeah, Roy Francis tells Calzaghe
00:46:08to keep the punches up.
00:46:10But Woodall continues.
00:46:12No stop.
00:46:14I'm a little confused there, Steve.
00:46:16If that was a clean little blow,
00:46:18it would have been a minimum of the third warning.
00:46:20I thought some time was warranted.
00:46:22Oh, that's gone!
00:46:24Grant is giving the champion perhaps a break there.
00:46:26And Valdo went around eight.
00:46:28Big round for the challenger Woodall.
00:46:30Don't worry about that.
00:46:32Don't worry about that.
00:46:34Don't you worry about that.
00:46:36Now you just get on as you've just done.
00:46:38In one and three, Rich.
00:46:40One and three.
00:46:41It was beautiful.
00:46:42And then you stood and had a look at your own work.
00:46:44Fire him in.
00:46:45Give him a drink, Lynn.
00:46:46Give him a drink.
00:46:47Let him get his breath together.
00:46:48Let's have a bit of calm.
00:46:49Let him have a drink.
00:46:50Let him get his soap together.
00:46:51Now, Richard.
00:46:52Let him throw, Rich.
00:46:56Just let him throw.
00:46:58Don't hold him back.
00:47:00We've got it.
00:47:01Rich, listen.
00:47:02You ain't got to go up one gear this round.
00:47:03You've got to go up two gears.
00:47:05Rich, you've got it in your legs and your lungs.
00:47:07Work right, Mitch.
00:47:08Work right.
00:47:09Come on.
00:47:10Fast third.
00:47:11Fast in.
00:47:12Fast down.
00:47:13Let's go inside the ropes and check out.
00:47:16Low blow action.
00:47:18We'll take a look.
00:47:19Joe Calzari going a little south of the border here in round four.
00:47:21That uppercut right in the cup.
00:47:23Once again, south of the border in round four.
00:47:25And consistently here in round eight, he comes underneath again.
00:47:28Very close to losing a point.
00:47:37No, no.
00:47:38Work right.
00:47:39Work right.
00:47:40Come on.
00:47:41Joe Calzari and Ripsy Waddell with friends like this.
00:47:43Who needs enemies?
00:47:44I like it, Steve.
00:47:45That's good.
00:47:46I like it, Steve.
00:47:47That's good.
00:47:48What?
00:47:49Take your punches off the road.
00:47:50Now, Zach, he's unblemished record and his title may be in danger here tonight with
00:47:53just four rounds to go.
00:47:55I have this fight evened up to four to four, so we shall see the last four rounds, including
00:48:00those two championship rounds, could be very telling.
00:48:03Come on.
00:48:04Lot of head movement by Waddell.
00:48:10Now, Zach, he going to the body, end of the head, but most of those punches were blocked.
00:48:25Come on.
00:48:26Come on.
00:48:27Come on.
00:48:28Come on.
00:48:29Now, Zach, he's doing a lot of leaning now.
00:48:33Waddell seems to start for the two.
00:48:35Waddell's taking the lead with the long left hand and setting it up, but Calzari keeps
00:48:38trying to land that right hook, but he's just a split-second lead on it, and they come
00:48:43in and tie each other up.
00:48:44Now, Zach, he's got the eighth-best KO percentage among champions, and he may need one here if this
00:48:51keeps up.
00:48:52Right hand, a crush by Waddell that connected.
00:48:59Nice one-two by the champion, jabbing a straight left hand.
00:49:02Right on Waddell's nose.
00:49:04Waddell missing with a wild right, countering left hand to the body by Calzari.
00:49:09Right hand to the head by Waddell.
00:49:11And yet, Calzari just hanging there, looking at him, daring him to throw a punch, and misses
00:49:15Wild on the right hook.
00:49:16Some furious exchanges.
00:49:18Now, Calzari going to the jab, following it up with the right hand.
00:49:25The funny thing is, Waddell's becoming more and more one-dimensional, jabbing right hand,
00:49:30leaping with the right upper cutter and overhand right, and yet, Calzari's not making that
00:49:34little adjustment.
00:49:35This is a good time for him to just make that one little adjustment.
00:49:42Calzaghi's showing some pretty good help.
00:49:45Straight right hand to the head by Waddell.
00:49:48Calzaghi start talking to him.
00:49:50Calzaghi's showing quite a chin.
00:49:54Does that look like a stinging straight right hand?
00:50:00Back comes Calzaghi with a combination to the head.
00:50:05Combinations are taking the lead still.
00:50:07One at a time, one big one at a time for Woodall.
00:50:09Calzaghi with the combination.
00:50:14Come on!
00:50:17It's not one and done for Calzaghi.
00:50:18It's one.
00:50:19One, two.
00:50:20One, two, three.
00:50:21Calzaghi with the heavier punches.
00:50:25Oh!
00:50:26He's staggered.
00:50:27There he goes!
00:50:28Woodall goes down and somersaults to the canvas.
00:50:31First down down the right.
00:50:32Three, six, seven, eight.
00:50:35And there's the belt.
00:50:36The fighter cannot be saved by the belt in any round.
00:50:43The count continues.
00:50:44They're knocked down at 2.56 at round nine.
00:50:47As soon as he comes out, you throw the big open and get moving.
00:50:50OK?
00:50:51Right this place, Nick.
00:50:52Rick Sandberg, come on.
00:50:54OK, pick them legs up.
00:50:56He's still there.
00:50:57Glitch your teeth.
00:50:58Glitch your teeth.
00:50:59Come on, Rick.
00:51:00Glitch your teeth.
00:51:01Good job, did the job, and then we stood there.
00:51:03Come on.
00:51:04You're all right.
00:51:05Yeah, I'm saying, yeah.
00:51:06You sure?
00:51:07Yeah, yeah.
00:51:08Right.
00:51:09Richie, you're out of the point, mate.
00:51:10Come on, dig in there.
00:51:11Come on, you're still in there.
00:51:12Richie, he's broke his heart.
00:51:14Richie, he's broke his heart, because you're going to get up.
00:51:16It's a perfect example of an accumulation effect.
00:51:18Instead of one punch, there's one, two.
00:51:20There's three.
00:51:21There's four, five.
00:51:22There's six, seven, eight.
00:51:24And that's it.
00:51:25Woodall goes down.
00:51:26If we get another look at it.
00:51:28One or two big shots, Woodall gets blocked.
00:51:31But the champion just keeps coming and keeps coming.
00:51:3410-8 round for the champion.
00:51:39Joe Calzaghe, we had a round 10.
00:51:42Oh, Calzaghe once again on the assault.
00:51:47One shot, Hurt Woodall.
00:51:49That's too much.
00:51:50Calzaghe looking to finish it right here.
00:51:53He has never stopped an opponent after the night crowd.
00:51:57Oh, wait a minute.
00:51:58It's over.
00:51:59Roy Francis has stopped the fight.
00:52:00And they immediately embraced, and Joe Calzaghe remains champion.
00:52:06I think that was a premature stoppage for sure, Steve.
00:52:10Woodall did not wobble.
00:52:11He did not do too much, although he's not complaining a lot either.
00:52:14He's not.
00:52:19But that was one of the most immediate stoppages I've seen in a long time.
00:52:24And absolutely no dispute from the Woodall corner.
00:52:31But he had really sustained a lot of punishment in the last couple of rounds.
00:52:35You know, the accumulation factor can be big.
00:52:38There are times that I remember fighting guys,
00:52:40and I would hit them round after round after round,
00:52:42and all of a sudden, a couple of easy shots in a row, and I would fall,
00:52:45and I would think to myself, why didn't they fall from the hard shots?
00:52:47The accumulation factor doesn't matter.
00:52:51It'll be interesting to see how the judges had it going into the tenth round.
00:53:01We'll try to accumulate the scorecards for you.
00:53:04We do know that one of the judges, John Coyle,
00:53:07had Calzaghe ahead 6-2 with one round even.
00:53:10Wow.
00:53:11He had Calzaghe ahead quite convincingly.
00:53:13I thought it was a lot closer.
00:53:14As did I.
00:53:16John Coyle from England who refereed the Tyson Savarese fight.
00:53:20In any event, Calzaghe retains his title,
00:53:23his seventh successful title defense.
00:53:25We'll take a look at the knockdown.
00:53:26Again, Calzaghe's coming in, but he's not stopping at one or two
00:53:29the way Woodall had.
00:53:30He's throwing three, four, five, six,
00:53:32and eventually they just catch Woodall too cleanly too often,
00:53:35and he goes down.
00:53:40Here's one of the shots.
00:53:41Looks like it comes around the glove, that one underneath.
00:53:44That one doesn't hit.
00:53:45That one gets to the top of the head.
00:53:46But again, accumulation.
00:53:48If you get hit with enough of them, they will take their toll.
00:53:52Now we look at the stoppage.
00:53:54Calzaghe's on the offense, and I think that that passive defense,
00:53:59although there you see, there you see Woodall trying to come off there
00:54:02and fire right hand, so it wasn't completely passive.
00:54:04If you put your hands up and get passive like that,
00:54:06referee's gonna really look at it close, and he called it to a halt.
00:54:11Joe Calzaghe, now 30-0 with 25 knockouts.
00:54:17Interesting how he immediately embraced his good friend, Richie Woodall.
00:54:26He just didn't want to punish him any further.
00:54:28So we're awaiting the official call from our classy ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.
00:54:35TKO, 28 seconds of round number 10.
00:54:39The question now, speculation that Calzaghe could fight light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr.
00:54:45Stay tuned for that. We'll see if that occurs in the near future.
00:54:50Let's go to Jimmy Lennon Jr. right now.
00:54:54Ladies and gentlemen, we have the time of 28 seconds in round number 10.
00:54:59A referee in charge, Roy Francis, stops the contest.
00:55:02The winner by way of technical knockout, still undefeated,
00:55:06and still the WBO super middleweight champion of the world, Joe Calzaghe.
00:55:17Joe Calzaghe, still the WBO super middleweight champion,
00:55:21joining Bruno Gerard, Davey Hilton Jr.,
00:55:23who defeated Dingon Tabella last night,
00:55:27and Sven Otke as the 168-pound champions.
00:55:31It took until the 10th round,
00:55:34and Calzaghe applauding the name Richie Woodhull.
00:55:37Now they can finally go back to being friends again.
00:55:40That had to be tough.
00:55:41I think they went back to being friends immediately after the stoppage,
00:55:43straight into a hug.
00:55:44No question about it.
00:55:45We saw that very, very rapid embrace
00:55:49when Roy Francis stepped in to stop the fight.
00:55:54And now a little kiss on the cheek from Calzaghe to Woodhull.
00:56:01Take a close look at the stoppage.
00:56:03But you watch a lot of the punches.
00:56:04They don't really land.
00:56:05They're hitting hands.
00:56:06They're not really landing.
00:56:07They're not hard.
00:56:08They're pity-pat punches.
00:56:10And to his credit, Woodhull came off with the right hand,
00:56:12and the referee stopped it just as he was springing into action.
00:56:18And I think people will say good things about Woodhull after this fight.
00:56:22He fought very courageously and bravely against a very strong champion, Joe Calzaghe.
00:56:28From this vantage point, it seemed like a very close fight up until the stoppage.
00:56:34But the last couple of rounds, Joe Calzaghe was really damaging and punishing Richie Woodhull.
00:56:40Well, post-spot reaction coming up shortly, but first we want to remind you what's ahead in the near future.
00:56:45Juarez, super middleweight Jeff Lacey, as well as unbeaten 17-year-old super lightweight rising star Juan Diaz.
00:56:51That's on Saturday, January the 13th, also at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
00:56:56You can catch all these exciting bouts in the months ahead only on Showtime.
00:57:03And we're joined now ringside by the victorious Joe Calzaghe.
00:57:07Joe, congratulations.
00:57:08Now that the fight is over and the pressure is off, so to speak,
00:57:12I can ask you just amongst friends here and hopefully a couple of million people watching in the United States of America,
00:57:18what was it like, how difficult was it to be in there with such a close friend like Richie Woodhull?
00:57:25Yeah, it was difficult, but like we said, you know, we split personalities when we get in that ring.
00:57:29I admit, I did find it a bit awkward to start with because Richie's an ex-unboxer.
00:57:33You know, he's a former world champion, very cagey, totally different fight than she could fight.
00:57:38I knew that I had to look for Richie and counterpunch him.
00:57:40I was made amiss a few times, but I showed my strength and my skill at the end to pull through.
00:57:45Were you surprised by anything that Woodhull did?
00:57:47No, it was pretty enough.
00:57:49I knew it was going to be a tough fight before I started.
00:57:51I knew his style would try and counterpunch me.
00:57:53From my liking, I got caught with too many right hands,
00:57:55but I was out of the ring for a long time before the Sheikah fight,
00:57:58so I'm just improving, I'm approaching my peak.
00:58:00My ultimate aim, as you know, was to fight Roy Jones Jr.
00:58:03He's looking for opponents, and if he's coming down the suit at middleweight, I'm going to take him.
00:58:08Did he hurt you at any point in this fight?
00:58:10No, not at all, not at all.
00:58:12Maybe off balance a few times.
00:58:14You know, we've got the orthodox against the South Pole fighter.
00:58:16He's trying to move the one way, I'm trying to move the other way.
00:58:18But no, you know, I've proven through 29 fights, never been on the floor.
00:58:21I mean, I'm a granite chin.
00:58:23I can just walk through walls, you know, I'm relentless.
00:58:25I keep attacking until I finish the opponent off.
00:58:27All right, we're going to look at some of the action in this fight here, Joe.
00:58:30Maybe we can get your help in describing the knockdown right here.
00:58:33He just kind of somersaulted.
00:58:35What was going on here?
00:58:36Well, basically, I lifted my game a little bit.
00:58:38I could sense Richie was getting very tired in eighth and ninth round.
00:58:42Basically, I was a bit lazy in the seventh and eighth round,
00:58:45giving him a bit too much time.
00:58:47But I stepped up the pace, 9 and 10, and basically I was overwhelming him,
00:58:50and I could see his legs were going.
00:58:52And you see the hand speed there for the tenth round was phenomenal.
00:58:55Yeah, you were ahead 88, 83, 87, 84, and then 87, 84 on the scorecards.
00:59:02Normally, you wouldn't feel bad or feel sorry for a guy you just stopped.
00:59:07But in this case, what might you say?
00:59:11I know you whispered a few things into his ear,
00:59:12and you gave him a little peck on the cheek, and you embraced immediately.
00:59:15But how would you console Richie Woodall right now?
00:59:18Well, basically, he knows he got beat by the best in the world.
00:59:20It's no shame in getting beat by, you know, by the genuine world champion.
00:59:24And basically, I just told Richie that, you know, he was a great opponent.
00:59:27I think he's still got a lot to give to the game.
00:59:30You know, I think he's one of my toughest opponents I've fought.
00:59:33And, you know, it's still time for Richie.
00:59:34Maybe a different weight.
00:59:35Obviously, I'm the main man of super middleweight.
00:59:37Maybe he can move up.
00:59:38But I'm just saying to him, you know, we can keep going.
00:59:39Don't do this out and from this loss.
00:59:41Well, you touched on it before, a possibility of a fight with Roy Jones Jr.
00:59:46If we can just widen out and get a shot here of our promoter, Frank Warren, as well here.
00:59:51Frank, let me bring you into the mix here now with Joe.
00:59:54And I know he would love a shot at triple light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr.
00:59:59How close to a reality is that particular fight?
01:00:02Well, I've been talking and negotiating with Murad Mohamed, who at one time was representing Roy.
01:00:07I've spoken to Roy personally.
01:00:08I've spoken to the Levin brothers also.
01:00:11And I thought we were going to make the fight.
01:00:12But I hear through the grapevine that he may have signed with another network.
01:00:16And if he's done that, then obviously it's going to be very difficult to make the fight
01:00:19because Joe is a Showtime man and that's where he's at.
01:00:22But I hope he hasn't done that because it's a fight I think certainly everybody on this side of the pond would like to see.
01:00:28And I think now that the American public have got a showing of Joe,
01:00:32they've seen Joe I think last week and this week, they know what he's got.
01:00:36They know what he's capable of.
01:00:37And they know that he and Roy Jones will be a great fight.
01:00:39It would be a fight that the fans would want to see and a real fight.
01:00:42It won't be Roy picking his opponent.
01:00:44It would be a fight that the fans want.
01:00:46If that fight were to take place when and where, could it possibly be in Wales?
01:00:51I would like to do in Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
01:00:54Roy indicated that he definitely wanted a fight over here.
01:00:57He said that he wanted a fight in this country, wanted the exposure in Europe.
01:01:01And that's what we were looking for.
01:01:02We were looking to do it.
01:01:03He was agreeable.
01:01:04We were trying to sort out the monies.
01:01:06That was difficult because Roy's team were asking for quite a lot of money.
01:01:10But having said that, I thought we were quite near to doing it.
01:01:13And, Joe, what weight would you prefer to fight that fight at?
01:01:16I mean, would you go up to 175?
01:01:18Would he come down to 168?
01:01:20You were almost 180 tonight before the bell rang.
01:01:22Yeah, basically.
01:01:23I've always said I'd be a much stronger light heavyweight than the Super Millweight.
01:01:27It does take a lot out of me.
01:01:28But, you know, obviously, I'd like to be a two-time world champion and fight, you know,
01:01:32fight Roy Jones up a light heavy.
01:01:33But if it means him coming down, I've got no problem.
01:01:35I just want Roy Jones in the ring to prove I'm the best in the world.
01:01:38Well, if you can't fight Roy Jones, do you look to unify the Super Middleweight division?
01:01:42You've got Otkey.
01:01:43You've got Gerard.
01:01:44You've got Davey Hilton now, who just beat Tovella last night.
01:01:47Yeah, definitely.
01:01:48That's been my aim since I won the world title.
01:01:50Obviously, that's up to Frank, to get a unification fight.
01:01:53Basically, I believe I'm the real champion of the world.
01:01:55And I'd just like to prove it and take all the phony champions out.
01:01:59And you believe that Richie Woodhull, who was concerned of being humiliated,
01:02:04he always says he's got to watch out for that going into a fight.
01:02:07But you believe, based on the performance, the effort that he put forth here tonight,
01:02:11that he should hold his head high and should continue on with his fight game?
01:02:14I think so, definitely.
01:02:15You can see Richie fought like a guy who was fighting his last fight tonight.
01:02:18He gave 110%, and he made it a tough fight.
01:02:21You know, it wasn't totally one-way traffic.
01:02:23You know, he picked up a couple of the rounds.
01:02:24So, you know, all credit to him, you know.
01:02:26Well, we said it earlier, because of the aggressive nature of the fight,
01:02:30you guys were not afraid to mix it up with friends like this.
01:02:33Who needs enemies?
01:02:34And we really appreciate you stopping by, and congratulations on your victory tonight.
01:02:38Thank you very much.
01:02:39And thank you, Frank.
01:02:40Thank you very much.
01:02:41Thanks, fellas, for coming by.
01:02:42We really appreciate it.
01:02:43All right, before we work, my partner, Bobby Chez,
01:02:45back into things here and get his final comments.
01:02:48A sad note in a fight not televised here on Showtime tonight,
01:02:53featherweight Paul Engel, who was upset by Balelo Bottilli,
01:02:57knocked out in the 12th round, is in the hospital,
01:03:00drifting in and out of consciousness, talking about Engel.
01:03:02It's been reported he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage,
01:03:05but we must stress that this is unconfirmed information by the manager of Engel,
01:03:11one Frank Maloney, and our thoughts and prayers are with Paul Engel.
01:03:17All right, let me bring Bobby Chez back into it.
01:03:20And Bobby, tough way to end the broadcast, but let me ask you about the main event.
01:03:25Your thoughts on Calzaghe's victory over Woodall.
01:03:27Well, I think Calzaghe didn't look necessarily as sharp as he wanted to.
01:03:30Came out early looking really good for the first five or six rounds,
01:03:33but then he got caught up to.
01:03:34Right hand started to land for the opponent, Richie Woodall.
01:03:38Woodall made it a very close fight, but again, champion summed up what he needed to,
01:03:42throwing the combinations.
01:03:43He didn't look great, but he looked pretty good.
01:03:45But there's still some chinks in the armor he needs to fix.
01:03:47He wants to face Roy Jones Jr.
01:03:48Anything he said that struck you particularly just now?
01:03:52No, he gave a lot of credit to his friend and Warrior, and as he should.
01:03:55Woodall gave it his all, came up there and gave 100% of himself and just didn't have enough.
01:03:59If those two do get together, Calzaghe and Jones down the road,
01:04:03a preview of thought from your mind?
01:04:06Well, you know, Roy Jones Jr. is pretty hard to beat.
01:04:08Calzaghe hasn't been beat.
01:04:09I think it would be an interesting clash of styles,
01:04:12and right now it's hard for me to bet against Roy.
01:04:14All right, let's take a look right now, Bobby, at the final results
01:04:18from right here in Sheffield, England.
01:04:20And our co-feature, as expected, Brazilian bomber,
01:04:22Ocelino Freitas remained undefeated,
01:04:24kept his perfect knockout record alive at the expense of late replacement Daniel Alisea.
01:04:29Boy, he put Alisea down in the first round.
01:04:32Now 28-0 with 28 knockouts.
01:04:34And in our main event, Great Britain's version of Friends went to Joe Calzaghe
01:04:40as he prevailed over fellow Brit Richie Woodall
01:04:42to retain his super middleweight belt.
01:04:44Is Roy Jones on the horizon?
01:04:46Stay tuned.
01:04:48That'll do it for another edition of Showtime Championship Boxing.
01:04:52Hope you enjoyed it since we won't be with you again till the new year.
01:04:55For Bobby Chez, our entire crew,
01:04:57Steve Albert wishing you a very happy holidays from Sheffield, England.
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