 He recaptured the WBA belt the following year by beating Manny Siaca then made defenses against Siaca, in a rematch, and Julio César Green before losing a split decision in a unification bout to Sven Ottke in Germany, 2003.Later that year he lost to WBO title holder Joe Calzaghe by KO in the 2nd round.He became the first man to floor the Welshman but was later stopped on his feet.