Evans Ashira next for Joe Calzaghe?

20/08/2005

Evans Ashira next for Joe Calzaghe?

By Scott Shaffer

The BBC reported today that longtime WBO supermiddleweight champion Joe Calzaghe will take a final tune-up before a true world championship bout against his IBF counterpart Jeff Lacy.  According to the BBC, Calzaghe will be facing a middleweight contender, Evans Ashira on September 10, 2005 in the champion's hometown of Cardiff, Wales. Ashira is the #14 middleweight in the Boxingtalk ratings. His record is 24-1, with his lone loss a very weak showing against Maselino Masoe that resulted in a second-round loss. He bounced back to beat Quentin Smith earlier this year. Although the BBC is usually reliable, it seems unusual that Ashira, a Don King promoted boxer for the past two years, would fight on a Frank Warren promoted show.  If Calzaghe, Boxingtalk's #1 168-pounder, gets by Ashira, the plan seems to be a showdown with Lacy on November 5, 2005 in London.  source: BBC