On this day in 1999: Joe Calzaghe defends WBO title against Rick Thornberry
Calzaghe would go on to retire with his unbeaten record intact.
Joe Calzaghe retained his WBO super-middleweight title with a unanimous points verdict over Australia’s Rick Thornberry in Cardiff on this day in 1999.
Calzaghe still had plenty to prove when he stepped into the ring to face little-known Thornberry in the fourth defence of his title.
Thornberry was on the canvas in the second round but only briefly, and a cut on his right eyebrow never seriously worsened.
It was a difficult time in Calzaghe’s career, and questions would continue to be asked after another points win over David Starie in his next bout, as he struggled to gain the plaudits his skills deserved.
Arguably they did not arrive until his stunning win over highly-fancied American Jeff Lacy in 2006 – setting Calzaghe on his way to true boxing superstardom and ultimately retirement with his unbeaten record intact.
