Welshman Joe Calzaghe is trained by his respected father Enzo, and has reigned supreme in the super middleweight division for 10 years since winning the WBO belt with a unanimous decision over long-time champion Chris Eubank.

Dane Mikkel Kessler has been challenging southpaw Calzaghe for the right to call himself the best super-middleweight in the world since he snatched Puerto Rican Manny Siaca’s WBA Championship away with an eight-round TKO in November 2004.

For Kessler, the November 3 fight at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff is massive. Beat Calzaghe and the whole boxing world will sit up and take notice of the "Viking Warrior". A win for Calzaghe still won’t convince the Americans, and a defeat will end his unbeaten record and his 10-year reign as WBO champion. So Calzaghe has a lot to lose.

'Kessler won’t be letting Calzaghe dictate the pattern of the fight. We won’t be witnessing another Jeff Lacy domination'


Both men have power, can box and boast solid chins. Calzaghe has only hit the deck twice in his long career, against Byron Mitchell and Kabary Salem, and Kessler has yet to visit the canvas. Kessler will have a slight height and reach advantage, otherwise they are evenly matched.

Despite some slapping tendencies, Calzaghe’s record of stopping 32 of his 43 opponents is impressive, especially considering in the last 10 years he has only fought at world championship level (granted the quality of some opponents has been questionable). Add to this his notoriously brittle hands that are so regularly fractured that he seems to require surgery after nearly every fight. In his 21 world championship fights, Calzaghe has 11 inside-the-distance victories.

All but two of Kessler’s fights have been in Denmark. One away trip was to Australia where he defeated Sydney’s former WBA super middle champ, Anthony Mundine in 2005 in a fight that was no easy defence. Mundine is blessed with two of the fastest hands in boxing and is capable of causing serious problems for any boxer in the division. In March this year Mundine completely out-boxed the very awkward and much avoided Sam Solimon, knocking him down three times on his way to a ninth-round knockout.

“The Pride of Wales” has displayed unshakeable self confidence, bordering on arrogance during his career. The way he spoke recently suggests he will put on such a dominant performance against Kessler, that his near shut-out of Jeff Lacy will seem like an even contest in comparison. And at 35, southpaw Calzaghe still looks to be at the top of his game.

Has Calzaghe ever truly been tested? That career defining fight? The Jeff Lacy master class was seriously impressive, and defeating Kessler will add a lot to his credibility. What it won’t do is satisfy the American boxing aficionados who won’t believe Calzaghe is the real deal until he defeats a top American. With the exception of Jermain Taylor the big names are all aging and on the slide, Hopkins, Jones Jnr, Wright etc.

When Calzaghe decides to put his feet up for good it will be a huge disappointment for many if he leaves a great career having never fought the absolute best. If that happens I for one will never truly know how good Calzaghe was. Kessler is possibly as good as any current super middle, yet in the USA he will be respected by those in boxing circles and no one else, as there he is largely unknown.

Kessler won’t be letting Calzaghe dictate the pattern of the fight. We won’t be witnessing another Jeff Lacy domination. Whatever Calzaghe does, Kessler will be in his face. The Dane is eight years younger and won’t lack staying power. Don’t expect an early win for either man. A stoppage win can’t be discounted because they both carry KO power, but look for a decision after an extremely tough 12-rounder.

Make no mistake, Mikkel Kessler can win this fight. If Calzaghe is not on top of his game he will lose a tough close battle, and we will be witnessing the end of what is currently the longest reign as world champion in any weight division. If he has got his game face on, Calzaghe will find a way to win no matter what Kessler brings to the table. For me, it’s Calzaghe getting the verdict from the judges, but not before digging deeper than he has for a long time, possibly ever!

Can Calzaghe make it through this one? Is he the best ever? Post your comments below or submit an article to Sportingo.