CALZAGHE MOVES TO NO. 5 FROM NO.8 POUND FOR POUND
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Nov 2007
In the Ring Magazine's latest pound for pound ratings released last November 5, 2007, Welsh world undisputed supermiddleweight champion Joe Calzaghe moved up from number 8 to number 5. This was the result of his unanimous decision win over Mikkel Kessler of Denmark on November 4 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The fight was a unification bout for the WBO/WBA/WBC/Ring Magazine super middleweight titles. With the win, Calzaghe became the first undisputed super middleweight champion of the world and overtaking the 20 title defenses made by Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes at the middleweight and heavyweight division, respectively. He is now equal to the number of defenses of Sven Ottke (super-middleweight) and Ricardo Lopez (flyweight).
The only boxers with more successful title defenses than Joe are Dariusz Michalczewski (light heavyweight) with 23 defenses and Joe Louis (heavyweight) who made 25 defenses.
More significant is that Calzaghe is five fights away from equaling Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record for a champion in any weight division. The Pride of Wales is now 44-0-0 with 32 wins by KO. Marciano is 49-0-0 with 43 KO wins when he retired.
Also known as the ?Italian Dragon? because of his Italian descent, Calzaghe is the former IBF super middleweight world champion. He is the longest reigning title holder in any weight class in boxing, recently passing the ten year mark as the WBO super middleweight champion.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. remains in the number 1 position followed by Manny Pacquiao at number 2. At number 3 is still Juan Manuel Marquez and Bernard Hopkins stays at number 4. To complete the top ten are: 6. Israel Vasquez (from no. 5), 7. Winky Wright (from no. 6), 8. Rafael Marquez (from no. 7), 9. Ricky Hatton, and 10. Miguel Cotto.
Hatton and Cotto and have maintained their respective rankings so far. Rafael, the brother of Juan Manuel, is a former world champion at the IBF / IBO bantamweight and WBC superbantamweight divisions. Juan Manuel is also a former WBA and IBF featherweight world champion, and the current WBC superfeatherweight champion.
In the more widely accepted Ring Magazine rankings, Juan Manuel is number 2 to Manny Pacquiao?s number 1 standing in the junior lightweight/superfeatherweight division; while Rafael is number 1 ranked contender to the champion Israel Vasquez in the junior featherweight/superbantamweight division.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 27 Nov 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
Wed, 26 Nov 2025WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
Wed, 26 Nov 2025Petecio in, Paalam out
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 26 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Badenas TKO’s Saknosiwi in 10th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Las Vegas & California Amateurs Shine in a Powerful Fall Rumble Weekend Followed by a Heartfelt Turkey Drive for Local Families
Wed, 26 Nov 2025Santa Run Davao on December 14 at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Alec “The Rock” Del Rio Fights for WBC Asia Title Friday in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 25 Nov 2025Eumir, Weljohn put pros on hold
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 25 Nov 2025