Reality hits Manfredo

CARDIFF, Wales -- Joe Calzaghe stopped Providence's Peter Manfredo in the third round yesterday to retain his World Boxing Organization super middleweight title and improve to 43-0.

It was Calzaghe's 20th successful defense since he won the title from Chris Eubank in 1997, equaling Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes and moving within five of Joe Louis's record.

Manfredo, runner-up in the first season of "The Contender" reality television show, fell to 26-4.

Calzaghe dominated with superior hand speed and punching power in front of 35,000 at Millennium Stadium.

Manfredo was backed onto the ropes early in the third round and referee Terry O'Connor stopped the bout after 30 seconds.

Manfredo was furious that O'Connor hadn't warned him that he was about to stop the fight.

"I'm a fighter, I'm a gladiator. I want to get killed to get out of that ring," he said. "He had no right to stop the fight, I wasn't hurt.

"I'm still in shock. He could have said to throw some punches or I'm going to stop it, or given me a warning."

Manfredo evaded the 34-year-old Welshman's punches in an uneventful first round, but Calzaghe increased his tempo in the second, dropping his hands to entice a wary Manfredo. He connected before covering up to defend against the American's response.

After getting Manfredo on the ropes in the third, Calzaghe threw a flurry of combinations.

Manfredo initially beckoned Calzaghe to continue, and the Welshman launched a sustained assault to the American's head and body to finish the fight early.

On the undercard, Amir Khan (12-0) was relentless as he stopped the outclassed Steffy Bull in the third round in a lightweight non-title bout, and Enzo Maccarinelli retained his WBO cruiserweight title by stopping Bobby Gunn in the first round.