Calzaghe no ordinary Joe, says Sugar Ray

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Calzaghe, 35, extended his 10-year reign as WBO super-middleweight champion by halting Peter Manfredo Jnr in three rounds to equal Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins in fourth on the all-time list of world title defences.

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Toe-to-toe: Calzaghe bides his time as he takes on Peter Manfredo

His American challenger complained that he should have been allowed to continue by English referee Terry O'Connor and the controversy tarnished what should have been a glorious night at the Millennium Stadium for Calzaghe, now unbeaten in 43 fights.

Former multi-weight world champion Leonard claimed the fight's premature end hardly matters.

For the American, ringside in a 30,018 crowd, Calzaghe has done enough to join him in the pantheon of greats.

"Joe has got great punching power and has all the attributes you need," said Leonard.

"He would have held his own against all the greats I fought, like Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns. And he would hold his own with the others like Bernard Hopkins.

"He has the talent and heart and will be the undisputed champion."

Manfredo, 26, argued he should have been allowed to box on but he had shown little evidence that he could seriously threaten the champion prior to Calzaghe's two-fisted assault without reply that precipitated O'Connor's intervention in the third round.

Manfredo claims his conqueror does not yet deserve the term "great".

"You have got to fight in other places to be called great,' said Manfredo. "You can't fight in your own backyard all the time."

Promoter Frank Warren wants Calzaghe to fight Denmark's WBA and WBC super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler next or America's former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor.