Calzaghe’s the king – but bring on the re-match

And so Joe Calzaghe secured a split decision in Las Vegas against the justifiably defined "legend" that is Bernard Hopkins. Despite being knocked down in a flash after 70 seconds of the fight, he recovered and went on to impress the judges sufficiently to gain a hugely significant victory and maintain his undefeated record. But did he really do enough to win and will he return to America to face Roy Jones?

Having managed to keep myself awake until 3am to watch the fight, I sat down on the sofa with more than a little fear for the Italian Dragon's undefeated record. Having witnessed Ricky Hatton succumb in a similar venue with virtually the same band of followers, I had my doubts in the wily Welshman's ability to box with his head and not his heart.

And so it proved – Calzaghe walking into a fierce right hand that sent him sprawling in the first round, stirring memories of Hatton's bout with Floyd Mayweather. 

However, once he had recovered from that very early setback, he composed himself and set about taking apart Hopkins' game with far greater aggression than the 43-year-old American was prepared to show.