Calzaghe critical of points win

Joe Calzaghe admitted he was not the big hit he hoped to be in last night’s 15th successful defence of his WBO super-middleweight title in Edinburgh.

The Welshman was made to work overtime for his unanimous points victory over awkward Egyptian Kabary Salem.

And he even suffered the indignity of being dumped on the canvas for only the second time in his career in round four.

Calzaghe admitted: “I was ring-rusty and over-eager and I made it hard for myself.

“I thought I learnt my lesson against Byron Mitchell but I got caught again - my hands were down, my chin was in the air and I was caught off balance.

“In the Mitchell fight I was stunned but in this one I was embarrassed. I got straight back up and I was OK once I started using my boxing skills.”

Calzaghe had been eager to impress against Salem to get back on track after a dreadful 2004.

He had not fought since February, saw two planned IBF light-heavyweight title bids fall through due to injury, and was embroiled in a bitter divorce battle with childhood sweetheart Mandy.

But the notorious Salem was never the kind of man to allow the champion’s best-laid plans to come smoothly to fruition.

He came boasting a litany of underhand tactics including an accidental headbutt which broke the referee’s nose in his last fight against Mario Veit.

It did not take him long to make a similar impression as he was warned midway through round one for punching low.

Before the first-round bell sounded both fighters were protesting vigorously to referee Paul Thomas over alleged illegal use of the head.

Salem bloodied Calzaghe’s forehead from a second-round butt but failed to capitalise upon the champion’s shock at being dropped two rounds later.

Meanwhile, Calzaghe became embroiled in a close-quarters war with the Egyptian and neglected too often to use the sharp-punching skills which had beaten all 37 of his previous opponents.

But he eventually got on top and knocked Salem to the canvas in the final round before taking the lop-sided verdict on the judges’ scorecards.

Calzaghe will clearly be glad to see the back of Salem and 2004 and look forward to making the necessary improvements for his bigger tests ahead.

The Welshman added: “OK, it wasn’t a great performance but I got myself out of trouble.

“Now I know I have got to keep more active and, believe me, that was the worst you will ever see me. I will be much better next time.”