Manfredo looks for own Rocky ending vs. Calzaghe

LONDON -- From "The Contender" to the contender.

Two years after fighting on the reality TV show hosted by Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone, Rhode Islander Peter Manfredo becomes the 20th boxer to try to take Joe Calzaghe's World Boxing Organization super middleweight title.

Calzaghe, a 34-year-old lefthander, can equal the record set by Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins for successful defenses in front of about 35,000 fans today at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

But Manfredo, who has a 25-3 record with 11 KOs, used Stallone's most famous film character to illustrate he believes in his own Hollywood ending against the Welshman, who is 42-0.

"I have no pressure on me," Manfredo said. "I am going to get booed or whistled, but I think by the end of the night I will have turned the crowd over -- like 'Rocky' going to Russia.

"Joe has got all the pressure. He is expected to kill me, but I have got a lot of surprises in store for people. I have had the best camp ever, and I believe I am going to shock the world."

Manfredo has worked with trainer Freddie Roach, but Oscar De La Hoya's May 5 fight with Floyd Mayweather will prevent him from attending today's bout. Instead, Leonard has come as Manfredo's adviser.

"I hear people asking Calzaghe who's next and they are all totally overlooking Peter Manfredo," Leonard said. "I can guarantee Peter will come to fight and he will make it an intriguing contest."

Calzaghe, who took apart the previously unbeaten Jeff Lacy in 12 rounds last year, has the perfect chance to further raise his profile in the United States with the fight being broadcast on HBO.

But he is frustrated at the perceived lack of respect his achievements have merited since beating Chris Eubank for the vacant WBO title in 1997 -- and plans to take it out on the 26-year-old Manfredo.

"I took my chance against Jeff Lacy and showed the world what I could do," Calzaghe said. "I have been through the years of frustration of not being given the big fights and not really getting the credit and respect by a lot of people."

A unification bout against unbeaten World Boxing Association champion Mikkel Kessler of Denmark beckons, but Calzaghe is wary about looking too far ahead.

"I have given Peter respect by getting into the best shape I have ever been in," he said. "I feel great and I am ready to do a number on him -- but talk is cheap."

At yesterday's weigh-in, Calzaghe was right on the 168-pound limit, while Manfredo was at 166.

On the undercard, WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli (25-1, 19 KOs) defends his title against Bobby Gunn (16-3), and Athens Olympic lightweight silver medalist Amir Khan (11-0, 8 KOs) takes on Steffy Bull (24-1-4).