Boxing legend Joe Calzaghe is often considered to be one of the more underrated names in recent boxing history.
Calzaghe defeated Roy Jones Jr. in his final career fight to retire with a perfect 46-0 record. As well as this, the former super middleweight world champion also has wins over the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Mikkel Kessler, and Chris Eubank.
Although no man has been able to get the better of Calzaghe inside of the ring, some men have truly tested the fighter. This includes one man who pushed the Welshmen to exhaustion.
Joe Calzaghe says that Chris Eubank exhausted him
Calzaghe would get his first world title opportunity against Eubank in October 1997. Fighting in Sheffield, England, the vacant WBO World Super Middleweight title was on the line.
Although Calzaghe was able to get the better of the former champion, the Welshmen explained how difficult the bout was.
Speaking to Anything Goes With James English, Calzaghe said, “After three or four rounds, I was ——.”
“I was exhausted. I think I didn’t know how to pace myself.”
Calzaghe said that before their fight, Eubank promised to ‘take him to the well,’ and the former champion feels he lived up to that statement. The undefeated fighter also added it was demotivating seeing Eubank still up and moving in the ring halfway through the fight, despite knocking him down in the opening round.
“It was by far the toughest fight I’d ever had in regards to exhaustion. I was completely exhausted, man. I couldn’t move for three days afterwards.”
Joe Calzaghe knocked down Chris Eubank in the opening minute before winning via decision
As a 25-year-old Calzaghe met Eubank, it seemed as if a passing of guard was taking place from the opening minute.
The young undefeated fighter put down the veteran with a left hook after just a matter of seconds. However, ‘Simply the Best’ was able to recover as he aimed to reclaim his crown for the first time since Eubank’s loss to Steve Collins.
It was not to be redemption for the legend however. Calzaghe would lead the fight through 12 rounds, before getting a unanimous decision victory.
Eubank would make the move to cruiserweight for his next bout as he had two meetings with Carl Thompson. However, his attempts at the WBO World Cruiserweight title were unsuccessful.