Manfredo: "I Can Knock Joe Calzaghe Out"

Published

During a recent interview with the Providence Journal, Peter Manfredo, Jr. told the paper that he was very confident of pulling off an upset when he meets underfeated WBO super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe on April 7, in Cardiff, Wales. The fight will take place at the Millennium Stadium with a likely crowd of 30,000 Calzaghe fans.

“This is a lifelong dream, and on April 7 it’s going to come true when I win the world title,” Manfredo said. “I’ve been training all my life for this. I’m ready to win this title and then defend it back here in Providence with a rematch if he wants one. I’m not just going to win for me, I’m going to win for the whole state. I’m going to win for the whole country. I’m fighting for USA here.”

After Terence Crawford Feud, Are Sanctioning Bodies Bad For Boxing?

In today’s episode, the crew breaks down one of boxing’s biggest debates after Terence Crawford went on his Instagram to complain about the WBC. Are sanctioning bodies simply part of the game, or have they completely lost control of the sport? We also take a hard look at the Ring title and ask whether it can still be considered legitimate if champions are not required to defend it.

Thursday | Dec 4, 2025

Manfredo said that Calzaghe has never fought an opponent with his kind of style and his level of hunger - and those factors will be the difference in the fight. A lot of people underestimate the power of Calzaghe, but Manfredo thinks Calzaghe is underestimating his power.

“He’s never fought a guy like me, with my style and my hunger,” said Manfredo. “I don’t care that I have to go overseas and fight him … I believe that I can knock him out. I believe that I have the power to knock him out. In my last two fights I was the strongest that I’ve ever been at this weight class, and I’m going in there with supreme confidence. I know I can beat him.”

Physical advantages aside, Manfredo thinks Calzaghe is looking past him by constantly talking about potential fights with Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor. Calzaghe feels that he is on another level in terms of skill, which doesnt stop Manfredo from proclaiming that both of them are on the "same level."

“I think he’s looking past me a little bit because he’s talking about having a big fight with Bernard Hopkins or Jermain Taylor after this fight, but he better be worried about me,” Manfredo said. “I’m an up-and-comer. I’m ready. I’m on his level. I’m going to go there and beat him. I want this.”

Comments

deuce_dropFri Mar 23, 2007, 6:31 PM UTC

i just hope that manfredo has a good fight plan/plans and can execute them. it would be really good for him to think of beating up calzaghe instead of trying to go for the KO and end up looking like lacy. the is a big bite for manfredo to chew.....................i just hope that he is prepared to do what is necessary to win and not try and go for the kill until it presents itself, or if it presents itself. nothing against calzaghe but i'm pulling for the underdog to upset.

MikFri Mar 23, 2007, 6:16 PM UTC

I am surprised that HBO aren't forcing Calzaghe to fight better fighters, considering they are paying for this ********. Look at all the other p4p fighters, they are fight the best. He is the only one fighting bums. They should make him fight the winner of Kessler/Andrade next. Allow me to make this very simple for you. HBO is about selling their broadcast, selling the fight. What do you think that the average viewer will be more likely to buy? An undefeated P4P fighter, taking on the up-and-coming American star of successful TV boxing programme The Contender. Or an undefeated P4P fighter taking on an unknown European title-holder? Trust me, its the first one. The hope for the Calzaghe camp and for the HBO deal too is that people will see the undefeated P4P champion destroying the up-and-coming Contender star and think "Fuck me, that guy is great. He should fight Bernard Hopkins or Jermaine Taylor, that'd be a great fight." Thus the money is there in that fight because Calzaghe's profile is raised, therefore the likes of Taylor and Hopkins will consider it a reasonable risk and will take the bait. The other eventuality is that Calzaghe fights Kessler, the audience watch him either win or lose, but dont particularly care, because they dont really know or relate with either boxer. Thus Calzaghe (if he wins) or Kessler (if he were to win) are only one tiny baby-step closer to getting the big fight with Hopkins, Taylor or someone of that kind of pay-day ilk because they are no-better known and bring no more buying-power to the table, as such they are not a worthwhile risk because they represent big risk, little gain. As oppose to two or three giant steps Calzaghe can take by tonking Manfredo.

potatoesFri Mar 23, 2007, 3:43 PM UTC

During a recent interview with the Providence Journal, Peter Manfredo, Jr. told the paper that he was very confident of pulling off an upset when he meets underfeated WBO super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe on April 7, in Cardiff, Wales. The fight will take place at the Millennium Stadium with a likely crowd of 30,000 Calzaghe fans. details] To KO Calzaghe you have to hit him. Throughout his career Calzaghe has proven to be hard to hit, even on his bad days. How is he going to handle Calzaghe's superior speed and footwork? What is there in Manfredo's style that makes him dangerous to Calzaghe? He had a serious problem with Sergio Mora who isn't even half as good as Calzaghe. Manfredo's only chance is if Calzaghe hands it to him on a platter.

antiheroFri Mar 23, 2007, 3:31 PM UTC

Good luck to Manfredo, but I don't think he'll be knocking Calzaghe out.

_Mr_SopranoFri Mar 23, 2007, 3:28 PM UTC

GOOD JOB!!!!!!!! To whoever was able to brain wash this kid! LOL

Add Comment

All Boxing Articles