Joe Calzaghe is considered to be one of the greatest talents to have ever come out of Britain.
The former world champion Calzaghe narrowly escaped defeat in his last fight to retire with a professional record of 46-0. This puts him in an elite category of competitors to end their career undefeated.
However, Calzaghe did not attain this record by avoiding the best fighters in his division. With the likes of Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, and Roy Jones Jr. on his record, the Welshman fought the best.
As well as this, Calzaghe took a major risk against an undefeated champion in 2006.
- READ MORE: ‘Couldn’t move for three days’… Joe Calzaghe names the fighter who completely exhausted him
Joe Calzaghe fought Jeff Lacy for super middleweight unification in 2005
After winning all 40 of his professional fights, Calzaghe was the reigning WBO Super Middleweight champion. For his next title defense, he would be paired up with Jeff Lacy.
The bout would be for unification, as Lacy was the IBF title holder. As well as this, the American had a 21-0 record. Despite Calzaghe being the much more experienced fighter, the bookmakers favoured Lacy going into the bout.
The two met in Manchester in March of 2006, as the two fighters had a combined record of 61-0.
When the super middleweights met in the ring, it would not go as the bookmakers anticipated.
Although Calzaghe was deducted a point in the 11th round, he had a landslide victory. Winning every round on the judge’s scorecards, with the exception of the deduction, Calzaghe also knocked Lacy down in the final round.
The fight would end Lacy’s unbeaten run, who could not claim another title for the rest of his career. However, despite looking so impressive in the fight, Calzaghe had been advised not to compete ahead of the bout.
Joe Calzaghe was advised to withdraw from Jeff Lacy fight
Speaking to former world champion Andre Ward on the All the Smoke Fight podcast, Calzaghe recalled the buildup to his title unification bout.
All was not going to plan for Calzaghe in the buildup as revealed details of an injury to Ward. “I injured my hand 10 days before the fight.”
Calzaghe said that when he went to get his injury assessed by medical professionals, they advised him against competing in the fight. “Joe, you have to rest. You can’t fight this fight.”
He then went on to say that it was his father who convinced him to fight, even though Calzaghe had concerns about his injury.
In terms of why he wanted him to go through with the fight, the Welshman said his father was extremely confident of him going into the bout. “He said, ‘From the first bell to the last bell, you’re going to dominate this guy…. No matter what, I’m proud of you. But, you have to fight this fight.'”
The Welsh fighter would have five more wins in his career after facing Lacy, helping to cement himself as one of Britain’s greatest ever fighters, according to Teddy Atlas.