Calzaghe wins another title

Boxing

Boxing

Joe Calzaghe, the British super-middleweight champion, has been voted the Best Young Boxer of the Year.

Calzaghe, 24 last Saturday, came top of the Writers' Club poll by an overwhelming margin from the Sheffield middleweight Ryan Rhodes. He will receive the award at the Writers' Dinner at The Savoy, London on 11 April.

The Newbridge southpaw Calzaghe, who is co-managed by Mickey Duff and Terry Lawless, has won all of his 16 fights, 15 inside distance, including nine in the first round.

His only victory by decision came 13 months ago when he was conceding eight pounds to Bobbi Joe Edwards, the brother of Diane Modahl.

Calzaghe makes the first defence of his British title against West Ham's Mark Delaney at Brentwood on 20 April.

Richie Woodhall, of Telford, has relinquished his European title to prepare his challenge for the World Council middleweight crown in the summer. The 27-year-old, unbeaten in 21 fights as a professional, is mandatory challenger to the new WBC champion, Keith Holmes, who has been ordered to defend by the end of June.