Joe Calzaghe

Joe Calzaghe
JoeCalzaghe-July2007.jpg
Statistics
Real name Joseph William Calzaghe
Nickname(s) The Pride of Wales,
The Italian Dragon
Rated at Light heavyweight,
Super Middleweight
Height 5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m)
Reach 190 cm (74.8 in)
Nationality Wales Welsh
Birth date 23 March 1972 (1972-03-23) (age 38)
Birth place Hammersmith, London, England
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 46
Wins 46
Wins by KO 32
Losses 0
Draws 0

Joseph William Calzaghe, CBE (born 23 March 1972) is a former Welsh professional boxer.[1] He was rated by Ring magazine as pound for pound one of the top 10 boxers in the world and was rated as the second best pound for pound boxer on the planet by the BBC before he retired.[2] He retired in February 2009 with an undefeated record, becoming only the fourth European boxer, after Terry Marsh, Michael Loewe and Sven Ottke, to retire as an undefeated world champion.[3] After his retirement, Ricky Hatton described him as "the best British fighter we've ever had".[4]

Calzaghe is sometimes referred to as the "Pride of Wales", or the "Italian Dragon"[5] in reference to his mixed heritage (the dragon being both a Welsh emblem and a Sardinian myth). He is the former WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring Magazine and British super middleweight champion and then went on to become a two weight world champion after stepping up to the Light-heavyweight division.[6]

Calzaghe is the longest-reigning world champion in recent years, having held the WBO super middleweight title for over ten years until he relinquished the title to concentrate on fighting at light-heavyweight. As his super-middleweight and light-heavyweight reigns overlapped, he retired with the longest continual time as world champion of any active fighter. He is part of the Team Calzaghe based at the Newbridge boxing club.

In 2007, Calzaghe became BBC Sports Personality of the Year, by gaining 28.19% of the public vote.[7] This made Calzaghe the first Welsh winner of this award since show jumper David Broome in 1960. He was also awarded the Young Boxer of the Year Award in 1995.

Calzaghe was the first Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion after his impressive win against undefeated American Jeff Lacy, He also became Ring Magazine Champion in his second weight division after beating future hall of famer Bernard Hopkins for the Light Heavyweight Title. This made him a two weight world champion.

Calzaghe had some big wins against former Super Middleweight world champions like WBO Champion Chris Eubank, WBC Champions Robin Reid and Richie Woodhall, IBF Champions Jeff Lacy and Charles Brewer, WBA Champion Byron Mitchell, Current IBO Champion Sakio Bika, as well as capable contenders such as Omar Sheika, Mario Veit and David Starie. He beat the then champion Mikkel Kessler for the WBA/WBC Titles. In 2008, he had wins over former WBA/WBO/WBC/IBF/RING Middleweight and RING Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins, and over Roy Jones Jr who has held titles at middleweight, super middle, light heavy and even heavyweight.

On 28 March 2010, Calzaghe was exposed by the News of the World's fake sheik Mazher Mahmood for taking cocaine. He admitted to taking the drug in the past on a purely casual basis however never in the build up to a fight.

Contents

Biography

Calzaghe was born in Hammersmith, London, England, to Sardinian Enzo Calzaghe and his Welsh mother Jackie.[8] The family moved to Wales when he was aged two. Their home is at Newbridge in south Wales. He attended Roots School System and still lives in the area. Calzaghe fought several boxing matches in his early years and his most well known defeat was at the hands of Shehreyar Khan Yousafzai during which he was hospitalized for four days and suffered serious concussions and blood loss. Shehreyar Khan and Calzaghe fought several months later after his recovery in which Calzaghe suffered major injuries to his solar plexus and abdominal region. Calzaghe as the first person to be awarded the Freedom of Caerphilly, his home county, in 2009. The award was presented to Calzaghe in front of his family—dad and trainer Enzo, mam Jackie, sister Sonia, [then] girlfriend Jo-Emma Larvin and sons Joe and Connor, 15 and 11 years old respectively at the time.[9]

Already a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE),[10] he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours.[11][12]

Amateur

Calzaghe, a southpaw, began boxing at age nine.[13] In more than 12 amateur contests, he won four schoolboy ABA titles, followed by three consecutive senior British ABA titles (British Championships) between 1991 and 1993.[14] This made him only the second boxer in history to win in welter, light-middleweight and middleweight divisions.[15] He also beat future WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion Chris Byrd as a middleweight in 1992.[16] He reportedly had an amateur record of 110-10. Calzaghe received his last defeats at the hands of Michael Smyth in the 1990 Welsh ABA final and Romanian amateur Adrian Opreda at the 1990 European Junior Championships in Prague.[17][18]

Professional career

In September 1993 Calzaghe was signed up to the Terry Lawless and Mickey Duff stable and made his professional debut at Cardiff Arms Park on the Lennox Lewis vs. Frank Bruno bill the following month. By June 1995, Calzaghe had won nine out of nine fights, seven in the first round and two in the second. At the end of 1995 Calzaghe was voted Young Boxer of the Year by the Professional Boxing Association and the Boxing Writers' Club, with Barry McGuigan's top tipping Calzaghe for 1996: "He punches ferociously, moves superbly and has the best of the European technique and US aggression."[19] By October 1995, he had won the British title, stopping Steve Wilson in the eighth round. Calzaghe's critics said that he had not really been tested. Calzaghe said in reply that he could only beat whoever was out there and prepared to fight him.

In November 1996, Calzaghe moved to Frank Warren's stable. Warren, who had managed Nigel Benn for his first twenty fights, declared: "Joe Calzaghe is a far better prospect, in fact he is my fighter for the new millennium."[20] Warren spent the summer of 1997 chasing a fight for Calzaghe with either WBC champion Robin Reid or WBO title holder Steve Collins. The fight with Collins was arranged, but at a late stage Collins withdrew because of injury, was stripped of his title, and then retired.

Calzaghe split with promoter Frank Warren in June 2008 and announced that he would promote his fights personally for the remainder of his career. The split caused Warren to launch a court case against Calzaghe, claiming that a verbal promise to promote the Roy Jones Jr fight was broken and that Calzaghe owed him $1.4 million[21]; Calzaghe in turn claimed that Warren owed him past fees. In March 2009 the High Court ruled that Warren had persuaded Calzaghe to sign contracts under duress when Calzaghe was hungry and dehydrated preparing for matches and that Warren's company Sports Network Limited owed Calzaghe $2.8 million in unpaid fees. Sports Network Limited intends to appeal the award.[22]

WBO super middleweight champion

A fight against the recently deposed titleholder and British boxing legend Chris Eubank was set up for the vacant WBO title on 11 October 1997, in Sheffield. Calzaghe emerged victorious over the two-time WBO champion, shockingly knocking the granite chinned Eubank down in the opening seconds and claiming a unanimous points win. The judges scored the contest 118-110, 118-109, and 116-111 in favour of Calzaghe. Eubank said of Calzaghe in a 2006 interview that: "Joe is the proper article, a true warrior."[23] Calzaghe conceded that Eubank, even in his comeback, gave him the toughest fight of his life.[23]

In 1998 he defended his title against Branco Sobot (winning by technical knockout in 3 rounds), Sobot, was a late replacement for American Tarick Salmaci,[24] who pulled out after a row with his management.[24] Sobot was knocked down in the third round, he beat the count but immediately came under renewed punishment from Calzaghe.[24] Forcing the referee to step in at 1:35 of the third round. Calzaghe then went onto fight Juan Carlos Gimenez (TKO in 10 rounds), a former opponent of both Nigel Benn and Eubank.

In 1999, Calzaghe started out by fighting his domestic rival, Robin Reid. Calzaghe was bitter that Reid refused to face him whilst holding the WBC championship in a unification bout, and vowed to beat him. After twelve rounds, the judges scored the fight for Calzaghe via a split decision.[25] Reid was never given the opportunity of a rematch. Calzaghe damaged his hand early on in the fight and according to Calzaghe, he suffered a dose of food poisoning.[26] Calzaghe finished the year with another points win against Rick Thornberry.

The new millennium

2000 started with another points decision against David Starie. This was followed by wins against Omar Sheika (a fifth-round stoppage), and former WBC champion and close friend Richie Woodhall.[27]

2001 started with a first-round-stoppage win over unbeaten Mario Veit, followed by a win against Will McIntyre on the Mike Tyson-Brian Nielsen undercard in Copenhagen. Calzaghe dropped the American in the third round with a ferocious left uppercut, although McIntyre managed to survive the count.[28] But the end was near, Calzaghe dropped McIntyre again at the start of the fourth and this time the referee stopped proceedings.[28]

2002 started with points wins against both the former IBF champion Charles Brewer and Miguel Jimenez in Cardiff, followed by a quick TKO of Tocker Pudwill,[29] who took the fight at very short notice as a replacement for the injured Thomas Tate, in Newcastle in December.[30] With the win Calzaghe successfully defended his WBO super-middleweight crown for the 12th time. After the fight, Calzaghe said: "I'm one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I want to be remembered as one of the best British boxers ever."[31]

Calzaghe's only fight of 2003 was in June against Byron Mitchell at the Cardiff International Arena.[32] Calzaghe won by TKO in the second. Calzaghe suffered his first career knockdown in the second round.[33]

2004 started out with a defense against Mger Mkrtchian in Cardiff where he won by a seventh-round knockout, followed by a points win over Karbary Salem in Edinburgh in October, during which Calzaghe was knocked down in the fourth round by a right hand.[34] However, he dominated the fight and knocked Salem down in the 12th round, winning comfortably on all three scorecards, 116-109,117-109,118-107.[35]

Veit got a rematch against Calzaghe in Braunschweig, Germany, in July 2005.[36] Calzaghe beat Veit by technical knockout in the sixth round. On 10 September 2005, Calzaghe fought the Kenyan boxer Evans Ashira and won by a unanimous decision despite breaking his left hand in the third round.[37] Calzaghe fought on one-handed winning 120-108, 120-108, 120-107.

IBF super-middleweight champion

Main article Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy

His scheduled bout with IBF world champion Jeff Lacy for 5 November 2005 was initially canceled due to the break sustained to the metacarpal in his left hand. Warren successfully rescheduled it for 5 March 2006, and the match was won by unanimous points decision over Lacy who was a heavy pre-fight favourite with the bookmakers [38] and pundits alike. Calzaghe dominated throughout the fight, with British fight fans chanting "easy" at the American during the last three rounds. Calzaghe gained the IBF title, and won every round despite a point being deducted in the 11th for an illegal "behind the body" punch. He also won recognition from The Ring magazine.

On 14 October 2006, Sakio Bika challenged Calzaghe.[39] Two points were deducted from Bika for head butts, one of which led to a severe cut over Calzaghe's left eye[40] which would cause him problems for the duration of the bout. Calzaghe won the fight on decision, to continue his undefeated run.

Relinquishing IBF world championship

On November 27, 2006, it was announced that Calzaghe had signed a contract to defend his WBO super middleweight title against former star of The Contender Peter Manfredo Jr. on April 7, 2007, at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales to be shown on HBO. Because HBO didn't want to cover any fight with mandatory IBF challenger Robert Stieglitz, and with the opportunity if he won against Manfredo to fight Taylor in the summer, Calzaghe chose to fight Manfredo and as a result had to relinquish the IBF super middleweight championship. Both Calzaghe and Warren claimed that "Stieglitz doesn't mean anything outside of Germany."[41] Stieglitz went on to fight Alejandro Berrio for the vacant IBF title, losing in 3 rounds. Berrio in turn lost the title to Lucian Bute in his first defense.[42]

Fighting Peter Manfredo Jr.

On April 7, 2007, Calzaghe met Peter Manfredo Jr. in front of 35,000 fans in Cardiff, Wales.[43] Calzaghe was victorious on a third-round stoppage, unleashing a flurry of punches on Manfredo, who threw nothing in return, thus drawing a stoppage from the referee. Manfredo and some commentators called the stoppage premature because Manfredo did not appear hurt.[44] HBO's ringside announcers declared that the stoppage was "way too quick." Trainer Emanuel Steward did contend that Calzaghe was on his way to victory, but the stoppage tainted the performance through no fault of his own.

Unifying the super middleweight division

Calzaghe vs. Kessler

Calzaghe at the Birmingham NEC in 2007.
Main article Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler

In May 2007, Frank Warren released details to BBC 5 Live and on his website that Calzaghe had accepted Mogens Palle's offer of $5 million to fight Mikkel Kessler in Copenhagen, Denmark. The bout took place at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on November 4.[45] The fight was a unification bout for the WBO/WBA super/WBC/Ring Magazine super-middleweight titles. Calzaghe won by unanimous decision, surpassing the 20 defenses made by Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes at middleweight and heavyweight respectively.[46][47][48] Only Joe Louis with 25 defenses of the undisputed heavyweight title and Dariusz Michalczewski with 23 defenses of the WBO light heavyweight title have more defenses of a title.

Calzaghe was frequently described as undisputed champion,[46][47][49][50] Since he had relinquished the IBF title, others argued that this was not strictly accurate,[51][52] Reuters called him "undisputed king" of the division,[48] while David A Avila said he was "the true undisputed world champion. Forget about the IBF titleholder Alejandro Berrio. That’s really Calzaghe’s belt too." [53] The WBA describes as "undisputed champion" those who hold any two of the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles;[54] which Calzaghe did after beating Kessler, and had earlier done after beating Lacy.

Moving up to light heavyweight

Calzaghe vs. Hopkins

On April 19, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada,[55] Calzaghe defeated Bernard Hopkins and won The Ring light heavyweight championship by a split decision in his first ever fight in the United States. Going into the fight Calzaghe again was a heavy favorite as Hopkins was 43 years old and had lost 2 of his last 4 fights. Calzaghe did not get off to a good start. Hopkins dropped him with a right hand in the first round[56] and began to get the better of Calzaghe on the inside.[57] As the rounds went on, Calzaghe began to get his rhythm going by landing combinations at close range. Hopkins’ key weapon was his right hand, but after a few rounds Calzaghe could see the right hands coming and blocked the shots with his glove.[58] According to CompuBox, Calzaghe landed more punches on Hopkins than any of his previous opponents.[59] In the end, judges Chuck Giampa (116-111) and Ted Gimza (115-112) scored the fight for Calzaghe, while judge Adalaide Byrd (114-113) scored the fight for Hopkins. Hopkins has openly stated that he wants a rematch with Calzaghe [60] but Calzaghe felt he had nothing more to prove and said he'd retire after the meeting with Jones.

Calzaghe vs. Jones Jr.

On July 8, 2008, after Calzaghe's split from Frank Warren, it was officially announced that Roy Jones Jr. and Joe Calzaghe had reached an agreement to fight for the Ring magazine light heavyweight championship in New York City at Madison Square Garden on September 20, 2008 on HBO PPV. After Calzaghe injured his right hand in training,[61] the "super fight" was postponed,[62] with 8 November being set as the new date. Calzaghe was put down by a right hand in the first round. Two close rounds followed before Calzaghe took control of the fight. In the eighth round, Jones sustained a cut over an eye, nearly forcing a stoppage. The judges' decision was 118-109 for Calzaghe.[63][64]

Retirement

On 5 February 2009, Joe Calzaghe announced his retirement from professional boxing, finishing with a record of 46-0, one of the few World Champions to finish undefeated along with Rocky Marciano, Ji Won Kim, Terry Marsh, Michael Loewe, Ricardo Lopez, Pichit Sitbangprachan, Harry Simon, Sven Ottke and Edwin Valero.[65]

After boxing

In an interview with GMTV, Calzaghe stated he is promoting The Beat Bullying campaign. He said to have found the inspiration from being a victim of bullying himself when he was young, saying he got bullied because of his small stature.

In August 2009, he was announced as a participant in the seventh series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing series, partnering Russian professional Kristina Rihanoff who he is now dating .[66]

Joe won the 2010 Soccer Aid, a British charity football match with the Rest of the World team beating England, Joe scored the Rest of the World team's first goal, the game was tied after full-time but the Rest of the World won on penalties.

Calzaghe Promotions

Following his retirement from boxing, Calzaghe started his own boxing promotion company called "Calzaghe Promotions" with his father, Enzo Calzaghe.[67]

Cocaine use

Following an undercover investigation by the News of the World Newspaper, Calzaghe admitted he had used cocaine since his boxing career had ended. In a statement on his website, he added that he regretted his "occasional use of cocaine in what have sometimes been the long days since my retirement from the ring." [68]

Professional boxing record

46 Wins (32 knockouts, 14 decisions), 0 Losses, 0 Draws[69]
Res. Record Opponnent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Win 46-0 United States Roy Jones Jr. Decision
(unanimous)		 12 2008-11-08 United States New York City, USA Retained Ring light heavyweight title.
Win 45-0 United States Bernard Hopkins Decision
(split)		 12 2008-04-19 United States Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Won Ring light heavyweight title held by Hopkins.
Win 44-0 Denmark Mikkel Kessler Decision
(unanimous)		 12 2007-11-03 Wales Cardiff, Wales Undisputed Super middleweight bout,
retained WBO
title and won Kessler's WBA and WBC titles.
Win 43-0 United States Peter Manfredo TKO 3 (12)
1:30		 2007-04-07 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 42-0 Cameroon Sakio Bika Decision (unanimous) 12 2006-10-14 England Manchester, England Retained IBF and WBO super
middleweight titles. Vacated the IBF
title after this fight.
Win 41-0 United States Jeff Lacy Decision (unanimous) 12 2006-03-04 England Manchester, England Retained WBO super middleweight title
and won IBF super middleweight title.
Win 40-0 Kenya Evans Ashira Decision (unanimous) 12 2005-09-10 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 39-0 Germany Mario Veit TKO 6 (12)
0:42		 2005-05-07 Germany Braunschweig, Germany Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 38-0 Egypt Kabary Salem Decision
(unanimous)		 12 2004-10-22 Scotland Edinburgh, Scotland Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 37-0 Russia Mger Mkrtchian TKO 7 (12)
1:05		 2004-02-21 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 36-0 United States Byron Mitchell TKO 2 (12) 2003-06-28 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 35-0 United States Tocker Pudwill TKO 2 (12)
0:39		 2002-12-14 England Newcastle upon Tyne, England Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 34-0 United States Miguel Ángel Jiménez Decision (unanimous) 12 2002-08-17 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 33-0 United States Charles Brewer Decision
(unanimous)		 12 2002-04-20 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 32-0 United States Will McIntyre TKO 4 (12)
0:45		 2001-10-13 Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 31-0 United States Mario Veit TKO 1 (12)
1:52		 2001-04-28 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 30-0 England Richie Woodhall TKO 10 (12)
0:28		 2000-12-16 England Sheffield, England Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 29-0 United States Omar Sheika TKO 5 (12)
2;08		 2000-08-12 England Wembley, England Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 28-0 England David Starie Decision
(unanimous)		 12 2000-01-29 England Manchester, England Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 27-0 Australia Rick Thornberry Decision
(unanimous)		 12 1999-06-05 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 26-0 England Robin Reid Decision
(split)		 12 1999-02-13 England Newcastle, England Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 25-0 Paraguay Juan Carlos Gimenez TKO 9 (12)
3:00		 1998-04-25 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 24-0 Croatia Branko Sobot TKO 3 (12)
1:35		 1998-01-24 Wales Cardiff, Wales Retained WBO super middleweight title.
Win 23-0 England Chris Eubank Decision
(unanimous)		 12 1997-10-11 England Sheffield, England Won WBO super middleweight title.
Win 22-0 Brazil Luciano Torres TKO 3 (10) 1997-06-05 England Bristol, England Relinquished BBBofC super
middleweight title after this fight.
Win 21-0 United States Tyler Hughes KO 1 (10) 1997-03-22 England Manchester, England
Win 20-0 England Carlos Christie TKO 2 (10) 1997-01-21 England Bristol, England
Win 19-0 United States Pat Lawlor TKO 2 (10) 1996-05-15 Wales Cardiff, Wales
Win 18-0 England Warren Stowe TKO 2 (10) 1996-05-04 England Dagenham, England
Win 17-0 England Mark Delaney TKO 5 (12) 1996-04-20 England Brentwood, England Retained BBBofC super
middleweight title.
Win 16-0 United States Anthony Brooks TKO 2 (10) 1996-03-13 England Wembley, England
Win 15-0 United States Guy Stanford TKO 1 (10) 1996-02-13 Wales Cardiff, Wales
Win 14-0 Scotland Stephen Wilson TKO 8 (12) 1995-10-28 England London, England Won vacant BBBofC super
middleweight title.
Win 13-0 England Nick Manners TKO 4 (10) 1995-09-30 England Basildon, England
Win 12-0 United States Tyrone Jackson TKO 4 (8), 1:08 1995-07-08 England York, England
Win 11-0 United States Robert Curry TKO 1 (8) 1995-05-19 England London, England
Win 10-0 England Bobbie Joe Edwards Decision
(unanimous)		 8 1995-02-22 England Telford, England
Win 09-0 United States Frank Minton KO 1 (8)
1:25		 1995-02-14 England London, England
Win 08-0 England Trevor Ambrose TKO 2 (8) 1994-11-30 England Wolverhampton, England
Win 07-0 England Mark Lee Dawson TKO 1 (6) 1994-10-01 Wales Cardiff, Wales
Win 06-0 England Karl Barwise TKO 1 (6) 1994-06-04 Wales Cardiff, Wales
Win 05-0 England Darren Littlewood TKO 1 (6) 1994-03-01 England Dudley, England
Win 04-0 England Martin Rosamond TKO 1 (6) 1994-01-22 Wales Cardiff, Wales
Win 03-0 England Spencer Alton TKO 2 (4) 1993-12-16 Wales Newport, Wales
Win 02-0 England Paul Mason TKO 1 (4) 1993-11-10 England Watford, England
Win 01-0 England Paul Hanlon TKO 1 (4) 1993-10-01 Wales Cardiff, Wales

Reigns of championships

Sanctioning Body and Weight Class Reign Began Reign Ended Time Held
BBBofC super middleweight October 28, 1995 June 5, 1997 (Vacated) 20 months
WBO super middleweight October 11, 1997 September 26, 2008 (Retired) 131½ months
IBF super middleweight March 4, 2006 November 27, 2006 (Retired) 8 months
WBC super middleweight November 3, 2007 July 4, 2008 (Retired) 9 months
WBA super middleweight November 3, 2007 July 4, 2008 (Retired) 9 months
The Ring super middleweight March 4, 2006 September 28, 2008 (Retired) 30 months
The Ring light heavyweight April 19, 2008 February 5, 2009 (Retired) 10 months

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=005364&cat=boxer
  2. ↑ "The Ring Ratings". The Ring. http://www.thering-online.com/ringpages/ratings2.html. Retrieved 2007-03-23. 
  3. ↑ "Undefeated Calzaghe quits boxing". BBC Sport. 2009-02-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7871918.stm. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  4. ↑ "Hatton hails Calzaghe as the best". BBC Sport. 2009-02-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7873582.stm. Retrieved 2009-02-06. 
  5. ↑ East Side Boxing
  6. ↑ "Calzaghe ends division domination". BBC News. 2008-10-03. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7638453.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  7. ↑ BBC News Sports Article retrieved 10th December 2007
  8. ↑ "calzaghe.co.uk - The unofficial home of boxing's greatest". calzaghe.co.uk website. calzaghe.co.uk. 2008-11-09. http://www.calzaghe.co.uk//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=26. Retrieved 2008-11-10. 
  9. ↑ "WalesOnline - Sports - Sports News - Boxing: Calzaghe’s proudest moment". WalesOnlinewebsite. Times Newspapers Ltd. 2009-05-08. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/sports-news-round-up/2009/05/18/boxing-calzaghe-s-proudest-moment-91466-23648718/. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
  10. ↑ http://latestnews.virginmedia.com/news/sport/2008/06/14/cbe_for_calzaghe
  11. ↑ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 58729, p. 7, 14 June 2008.
  12. ↑ Queen' Birthday Honours, 2008 Net News Publisher, 14 June 2008
  13. ↑ http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/sports-news-round-up/2008/11/08/boxing-joe-calzaghe-chases-his-very-own-fairytale-of-new-york-91466-22209439/
  14. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/justthejob/takeitfromme/star_joec.shtml
  15. ↑ http://www.calzaghe.com/pages/team_calzaghe/enzo_calzaghe.html
  16. ↑ Joe Calzaghe - in Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia website
  17. ↑ Shuttleworth P How to stop Joe CalzagheBBC report, 15 April 2008
  18. ↑ Biography on Joe Calzaghe's official website
  19. ↑ World Championship Boxing presents Joe Calzaghe Manchester Evening News, October 2006
  20. ↑ http://www.talkboxing.co.uk/guides/boxing_legends_joe_calzaghe.html
  21. ↑ "Calzaghe ends Warren association". BBC News. 2008-06-24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7469896.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  22. ↑ Calzaghe Wins Court Battle Against Promoter NY Times, March 16, 2009
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Turbervill, Huw (2009-02-05). "Top 10: Joe Calzaghe's most important bouts". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/joecalzaghe/3386601/Top-10-Joe-Calzaghes-most-important-fights.html. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "Calzaghe cruises to WBO defence". BBC News. 1998-01-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/50336.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  25. ↑ http://www.mostbeautifulman.com/athletes/robinreid/bio.shtml
  26. ↑ http://www.exodine.com/boxing/joe-calzaghe.html
  27. ↑ "Calzaghe-Woodhall - the countdown". BBC News. 2000-10-17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/976045.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Calzaghe douses Kid Fire". BBC News. 2001-10-13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/1597994.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  29. ↑ http://www.britishboxing.net/fights_561-Joe-Calzaghe-vs-Tocker-Pudwill.html
  30. ↑ http://www.eastsideboxing.com/boxing-news/Calzaghe-vs-Pudwill-Result.php
  31. ↑ "Calzaghe destroys Pudwill". BBC News. 2002-12-14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/2570217.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  32. ↑ Bunce, Steve (2003-06-27). "Boxing: Calzaghe's world title under threat from Mitchell". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boxing-calzaghes-world-title-under-threat-from-mitchell-541990.html. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  33. ↑ "Calzaghe scores explosive win". BBC.co.uk. 2003-06-28. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3016900.stm. Retrieved 2008-04-20. 
  34. ↑ http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=147
  35. ↑ "Results from 2004". BBC News. 2005-01-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/statistics/1235868.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  36. ↑ http://www.britishboxing.net/news_678-Calzaghe-can-t-Veit-to-make-Mario-pay.html
  37. ↑ "Calzaghe breaks left hand in 20th title defense against Manfredo". USA Today. 2007-04-10. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2007-04-10-1302554252_x.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  38. ↑ "Clinical Calzaghe". BBC Sport. 2006-03-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/2932769.stm. Retrieved 2007-03-23. 
  39. ↑ http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2006/1014_calzaghe_bika/columns/gottlieb_profile.html
  40. ↑ http://sport.scotsman.com/top-stories/Calzaghe-overcomes-the-cut-and.2818792.jp
  41. ↑ "Calzaghe relinquishes IBF title". BBC News. 2006-11-27. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6175236.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  42. ↑ http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Human:22445
  43. ↑ Rawling, John (2007-04-03). "Calzaghe's heavyweight dream". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/apr/03/boxing.joecalzaghe. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  44. ↑ "Calzaghe too strong for Manfredo". BBC News. 2007-04-07. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6530845.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  45. ↑ "Calzaghe-Kessler set Cardiff date". BBC Sport. 11 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6280484.stm. Retrieved 2008-01-12. 
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Johnson, Chuck (2007-11-03). "Calzaghe beats Kessler to unify belts, eyes Hopkins". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2007-11-03-calzaghe-kessler_N.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-10. 
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Paul Upham (November 4, 2007). "Calzaghe Outboxes Kessler To Become Undisputed World Champion". SecondsOut.com. http://www.secondsout.com/reports/index.cfm?ccs=529&cs=23157. Retrieved 2008-01-12. 
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Reuters (November 5, 2007). "Calzaghe the undisputed king". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/calzaghe-the-undisputed-king/2007/11/04/1194117877368.html. Retrieved 2008-11-10. 
  49. ↑ Staniforth, Mark (4 November 2007). "Battler Calzaghe triumphs against Kessler". The Independent on Sunday (London: PA Sport). http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boxing-battler-calzaghe-triumphs-against-kessler-398962.html. Retrieved 2008-11-10. "Joe Calzaghe was crowned undisputed world super-middleweight champion in Cardiff tonight" 
  50. ↑ "Calzaghe the king in Cardiff Welshman wows his home crowd with points win over great Dane". Sky Sports. 4 November 2007. http://msnsport.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12183_2848876,00.html. Retrieved 2008-11-10. 
  51. ↑ Kimball, George (November 11, 2007). "Calzaghe’s plans quickly executed". Boston Herald. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other_sports/boxing/view.bg?articleid=1043918. Retrieved 2008-11-10. "Lucien Bute, whose claim to the International Boxing Federation title is all that stands between the Welshman and undisputed world champion status" 
  52. ↑ Gonzalez, Frank, Jr. (November 3, 2007). "Sharkie’s Machine: Joe Calzaghe Too Slick For Mikkel Kessler". eastsideboxing.com. http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=13117&more=1. Retrieved 2008-11-10. "Joe Calzaghe, who is now the closest to being the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world. (There’s still the IBF title if he’s to have all four of the most recognized belts.)" 
  53. ↑ Avila, David A. (November 1, 2007). "America's Watching Calzaghe-Kessler". thesweetscience.com. http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5473/america-watching-calzaghe-kessler/. Retrieved 2008-11-10. 
  54. ↑ "Super Championships guidelines". World Boxing Association. http://www.wbaonline.com/wchampionships/SuperChampionship.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-10. 
  55. ↑ http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-fightchart041808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
  56. ↑ http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/staff/posts/2218
  57. ↑ http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-boxscoring041908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
  58. ↑ http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=15323&more=1
  59. ↑ "'Legend killer' Calzaghe overcomes Hopkins". USA Today. 2008-04-20. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2008-04-20-calzaghe-hopkins-folo_N.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  60. ↑ http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=17615&more=1
  61. ↑ "Calzaghe confident on hand injury". BBC News. 2008-09-19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7624275.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  62. ↑ Rawling, John (2008-07-23). "Hand injury hits Calzaghe's New York date with Jones". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/23/joecalzaghe.boxing. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  63. ↑ http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/09112008/58/calzaghe-v-jones-jr-round-round.html
  64. ↑ http://www.boxingcapital.com/News_Article_091108RJJJOERPT.html 'Super' Joe Calzaghe too good for Jones Jr!
  65. ↑ "Undefeated Calzaghe quits boxing". BBC Sport (BBC). 5 February 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7871918.stm. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  66. ↑ "Calzaghe could be Strictly Champion". Wales Online. 2009-08-26. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2009/08/26/joe-calzaghe-could-be-strictly-champion-says-kristina-91466-24533949/. 
  67. ↑ "Only Hatton can decide - Calzaghe". BBC Sport. 2009-05-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/8054350.stm. Retrieved 2009-05-18. 
  68. ↑ "An Apology". Joe Calzaghe Enterprises. 2010-03-28. http://www.joecalzaghe.com/latest-news/joe-calzaghe.aspx. 
  69. ↑ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=5364&cat=boxer

External links

Awards
Preceded by
Tanni Grey-Thompson		 BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year
2001		 Succeeded by
Mark Hughes
Preceded by
Gareth Thomas		 BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year
2006,2007		 Succeeded by
Shane Williams
Preceded by
Zara Phillips		 BBC Sports Personality of the Year
2007		 Succeeded by
Chris Hoy
Sporting positions
Vacant
Title last held by
Steve Collins		 WBO Super Middleweight Champion
October 11, 1997 - September 26, 2008
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Denis Inkin
Preceded by
Jeff Lacy		 IBF Super Middleweight Champion
March 4, 2006 – November 27, 2006
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Alejandro Berrio
Inaugural Champion The Ring Super Middleweight Champion
March 4, 2006 - September 28, 2008
Vacated		 Vacant
Inaugural Champion Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion
November 4, 2007 - June 27 2008
Vacated		 Vacant
Preceded by
Mikkel Kessler		 WBC Super Middleweight Champion
November 4, 2007 – June 27, 2008
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Carl Froch
WBA Super Middleweight Champion
super champion status
November 4, 2007 – October 21, 2008
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Mikkel Kessler
Preceded by
Bernard Hopkins		 The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion
April 19, 2008 - February 5, 2009
Retired		 Vacant
Title next held by
Jean Pascal
BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners
1954–1959

1954 Christopher Chataway · 1955 Gordon Pirie · 1956 Jim Laker · 1957 Dai Rees · 1958 Ian Black · 1959 John Surtees
1960–1969

1960 David Broome · 1961 Stirling Moss · 1962 Anita Lonsbrough · 1963 Dorothy Hyman · 1964 Mary Rand · 1965 Tom Simpson · 1966 Bobby Moore · 1967 Henry Cooper · 1968 David Hemery · 1969 Ann Jones
1970–1979

1970 Henry Cooper · 1971 HRH The Princess Anne · 1972 Mary Peters · 1973 Jackie Stewart · 1974 Brendan Foster · 1975 David Steele · 1976 John Curry · 1977 Virginia Wade · 1978 Steve Ovett · 1979 Sebastian Coe
1980–1989

1980 Robin Cousins · 1981 Ian Botham · 1982 Daley Thompson · 1983 Steve Cram · 1984 Torvill and Dean (Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean) · 1985 Barry McGuigan · 1986 Nigel Mansell · 1987 Fatima Whitbread · 1988 Steve Davis · 1989 Nick Faldo
1990–1999

1990 Paul Gascoigne · 1991 Liz McColgan · 1992 Nigel Mansell · 1993 Linford Christie · 1994 Damon Hill · 1995 Jonathan Edwards · 1996 Damon Hill · 1997 Greg Rusedski · 1998 Michael Owen · 1999 Lennox Lewis
2000–2009

2000 Steve Redgrave · 2001 David Beckham · 2002 Paula Radcliffe · 2003 Jonny Wilkinson · 2004 Kelly Holmes · 2005 Andrew Flintoff · 2006 Zara Phillips · 2007 Joe Calzaghe · 2008 Chris Hoy · 2009 Ryan Giggs
Strictly Come Dancing Series 7
Chris Hollins · Ricky Whittle · Ali Bastian · Laila Rouass · Natalie Cassidy · Ricky Groves · Jade Johnson · Phil Tufnell · Craig Kelly · Zöe Lucker · Jo Wood · Joe Calzaghe · Lynda Bellingham · Rav Wilding · Richard Dunwoody · Martina Hingis