Super Middleweight Contender Peter Manfredo Jr (26-3-12KO) and current IBF/WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe (42-0-31KO) will face off on March 3rd at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Manfredo Jr sat down with Boxingtalk and gave us his thoughts on what is no doubt the biggest fight of his career. Manfredo is hungry to grab his first world title, and looks forward to bringing the title back to America.


BT - Peter you just landed the biggest fight of your career, talk about the fight against Joe Calzaghe.

PM - I am excited about finally getting my dream, to fight for a world championship. The fight will be at a weight that I feel strong at, and confident at. Joe Calzaghe is a great champion, undefeated, never been beat. I have an opportunity to be the first person to beat him, and I intend on taking full advantage of it.

BT - Peter how do you match up against this guy? This guy throws a lot of punches, and has a very good jab.

PM - I think I match up well, I give 110 percent every time I go into the ring. I am going to listen to my corner, Freddie Roach. Freddie is the best trainer out there in my eyes, and he
helped me get to this point of my career. I am keeping faith in him to tell me what I need to do in order to win the fight. I am going to train my hardest, I am very confident that I will be the new world champion on March 3rd.

BT - Were there any problems during the negotiation process getting you this fight ? The Contender really came through for you here Peter.

PM - No, it went smoothly. It's an honor to fight Joe Calzaghe, he's rated number 1 in the world by Ring Magazine. It shows how much I have done with my career to get this far, it's time for a change man, he's defended his title 19 times. I think I am going to spoil the 20th time for him.

BT - All the talk has been for the American Heavyweights to bring the title back to America. Now you as a Super Middleweight have the chance to bring that title back home.

PM - I think it's extremely important to do that, there are no American Super Middleweight Champions. A victory can open up the door for a lot of other American fighters, it will give them the desire to work harder, and go for it. Whatever I have to do to win against this guy, that's what I am going to do.

BT - Most boxing fans remember what happened to Jeff Lacy when he fought Calzaghe. What do you take from that fight, and what can you learn from that fight going into your fight against Calzaghe ?

PM - Well I am not sure if Calzaghe was that good, or if Jeff had a bad night that night. Is Calzaghe that much better than Lacy? I don't know, he hit Lacy with everything but the kitchen sink, and Lacy was still standing there. I have a steel chin, I don't think he's knocking me out. I have a different style than Jeff Lacy. I will do whatever I need to do to win this fight, Freddie Roach is extremely confident, as I am that I can win this fight.

BT - You showed a lot of power at 168lbs, do you think you will need to knock Calzaghe out being the fight is in Wales?

PM - No I am not concerned about that. I don't look for the knockouts, they just come sometimes. On the Contender my body was depleted making weight, that's not the story now. I have been robbed in boxing before so I'll just be at my best, and do my best. I want to put on a show for both American fans, and European fans.

BT - When does camp start for this fight Peter ?

PM - Right after the first of the year in Los Angeles at The Wild Card Gym.

BT - Closing thoughts Peter ?

PM - I want to say thank you for all of your support. I want to thank Joe Calzaghe for the opportunity. I want to say, don't under-estimate me, a lot are doing that. I deserve getting this shot, and I am going to make everyone proud.

M

Send questions and comments to: bradcooney1@bellsouth.net