Joe Calzaghe

Joe Calzaghe

Calzaghe in July 2007
Statistics
Real name Joseph William Calzaghe
Nickname(s) The Pride of Wales
The Italian Dragon
Super Joe
Rated at Super Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Reach 73 in (185 cm)
Nationality Welsh
Born 23 March 1972
Hammersmith, London, England
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 46
Wins 46
Wins by KO 32
Losses 0
Draws 0
No contests 0

Joseph William "Joe" Calzaghe, CBE (/kælˈzæɡi/ kal-ZAG-ee; born 23 March 1972) is a retired Welsh professional boxer.[1] He is a former WBO, IBF, WBC, WBA & The Ring Super Middleweight Champion and The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion.[2]

Calzaghe is the longest-reigning Super Middleweight world champion in history, having held the WBO Super Middleweight title for over ten years and made 21 successful defenses. He relinquished the title to move up to 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.

Between 2006 to 2008, he was rated by The Ring magazine as a top ten pound for pound boxer.[3] In January 2009, the magazine ranked him #3 in the world.[4]

He retired in February 2009 with an undefeated record and as a reigning World Champion.[5]

Calzaghe is sometimes referred to as the "Pride of Wales" or the "Italian Dragon"[6] in reference to his multiple heritage (the dragon being both a Welsh emblem and a Sardinian myth).

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 awarded the Young Boxer of the Year Award in 1995. Calzaghe was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2014.[8]

Biography

Calzaghe was born in Hammersmith, London, to an Italian (Sardinian) father, Enzo, and a Welsh mother, Jackie.[9] The family moved to Wales when he was two years old. Their home is at Newbridge in South Wales. He attended Roots School System and still lives in the area. Calzaghe was 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 — father and trainer Enzo, mother Jackie, sister Sonia, (then) girlfriend Jo-Emma Larvin, and his two sons.[10]

Already a MBE,[11] he was elevated to CBE in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours.[12]

Amateur career

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 1990 and 1993.[14] 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.[15][16]

Professional career

In September 1993 Calzaghe was signed up and made his professional debut at Cardiff Arms Park on the Lennox Lewis vs. Frank Bruno bill the following month, halting 23 fight veteran Paul Hanlon in one round. By September 1995, Calzaghe had won thirteen out of thirteen fights, including seven in the first round and two in the second, including quickfire victories over the highly experienced American duo of Frank Minton and Robert Curry, with only the fully fledged British Light Heavyweight Bobbie Joe Edwards lasting the distance.

In October 1995, Calzaghe won the vacant British Super Middleweight title, stopping the previously unbeaten Stephen Wilson in the eighth round.

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."[17]

After beginning 1996 with two more quick knockouts over Guy Stanford and Anthony Brooks, he successfully defended his British title with an easier-than-expected fifth round stoppage of the tough undefeated puncher Mark Delaney (21-0). Despite Delaney being a good fighter in his own right, Calzaghe's critics said that he had still not really been tested. Calzaghe said in reply that he could only beat whoever was out there and prepared to fight him. Calzaghe rounded off the year with victories over two experienced opponents in Warren Stowe and Pat Lawlor.

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."[18] Calzaghe continued his winning ways in 1997, defeating Carlos Christie, the unbeaten Tyler Hughes and the 45-2 Luciano Torres. Meanwhile, Warren spent the summer of 1997 chasing a fight for Calzaghe with either WBC Champion Robin Reid or Irish WBO Champion 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.

WBO World Super Middleweight Champion

After Collins retired, a fight against British boxing legend Chris Eubank was quickly set up for the vacant WBO title on 11 October 1997, in Sheffield. Calzaghe emerged victorious over the two-time WBO champion, 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."[19] Calzaghe conceded that Eubank, even in his comeback, gave him the toughest fight of his life.[19]

In 1998 he defended his title against Branco Sobot (winning by technical knockout in 3 rounds), Sobot, was a late replacement for Syrian-American Tarick Salmaci,[20] who pulled out after a row with his management.[20] Sobot was knocked down in the third round, he beat the count but immediately came under renewed punishment from Calzaghe.[20] Forcing the referee to step in at 1:35 of the third round.

Calzaghe then went on to defeat perennial contender Juan Carlos Gimenez Ferreyra (TKO in 10 rounds), a former opponent of both Nigel Benn and Chris 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.[21] 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.[22] Calzaghe finished the year with another points win against Australian Rick Thornberry, where he again injured his hand after looking like overwhelming his opponent early.

2000 started with another points decision against fellow Briton David Starie. This was followed by wins against Omar Sheika (who was coming off a win over Glenn Johnson) by fifth-round stoppage, and former WBC World Champion and close friend Richie Woodhall in ten rounds.[23]

2001 started with an impressive first-round-stoppage win over the unbeaten German No 1 contender Mario Veit (30-0), followed by a win against American contender Will McIntyre on the Mike Tyson-Brian Nielsen undercard in Copenhagen Denmark, marking his first defence outside Britain. Calzaghe dropped him in the third round with a ferocious left uppercut, although McIntyre managed to survive the count.[24] But the end was near, Calzaghe dropped McIntyre again at the start of the fourth and this time the referee stopped proceedings.[24]

2002 started with unanimous points wins against the former IBF World Champion Charles Brewer of the United States in Cardiff, followed by a quick TKO of American Tocker Pudwill,[25] who took the fight at very short notice as a replacement for the injured Thomas Tate, in Newcastle in December.[26] With the win, Calzaghe successfully defended his WBO Super Middleweight title for the 12 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."[27]

Calzaghe's only fight of 2003 was in June against another former World Champion, in the shape of American Byron Mitchell at the Cardiff International Arena.[28] Calzaghe won by TKO in the second. Calzaghe suffered his first career knockdown in the second round, before rising to halt Mitchell in the very same round.[29]

2004 started out with a defense against Armenian contender Mger Mkrtchian in Cardiff where he won easily by a seventh-round knockout, followed by a points win over Egyptian-American Kabary Salem in Edinburgh in October, during which Calzaghe was briefly knocked down in the fourth round by a right hand.[30] However, Calzaghe was not hurt, and he dominated the fight and knocked Salem down in the 12th round, winning comfortably on all three scorecards, 116–109, 117–109 and 118–107.[31]

Mario Veit worked his way to a rematch against Calzaghe in Braunschweig, Germany, in July 2005, marking Calzaghe's second defence on foreign soil.[32] Calzaghe beat Veit by technical knockout in the sixth round. On 10 September 2005, Calzaghe fought the Kenya boxer Evans Ashira and won by a comfortable unanimous decision over the former Middleweight title challenger, despite breaking his left hand in the third round.[33] Calzaghe fought on one-handed winning 120–108, 120–108, 120–107.

Calzaghe vs. Lacy

Main article Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy

His scheduled unification bout with American IBF Super Middleweight 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 easy unanimous points decision over Lacy, who was a pre-fight favourite with the bookmakers[34] and American 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 the vacant The Ring Championship, becoming the first Super Middleweight to be recognized as World Champion by Ring Magazine.

On 14 October 2006, the tough Cameroonian-Australian Sakio Bika challenged Calzaghe.[35] Two points were deducted from Bika for head butts, one of which led to a severe cut over Calzaghe's left eye[36] which would cause him problems for the duration of the bout. However, Calzaghe won the fight by clear decision to continue his undefeated run.

On 27 November 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. of the United States on 7 April 2007, at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales to be shown on HBO. Because HBO did not want to cover a fight with the non-American mandatory IBF challenger Robert Stieglitz of Germany, and with the opportunity to fight World Middleweight champion Jermaine Taylor in the summer if he won against Manfredo, 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 Germany."[37] 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.[38]

On 7 April 2007, Calzaghe met Peter Manfredo Jr. in front of 35,000 fans in Cardiff, Wales.[39] Calzaghe was victorious on a third-round stoppage, unleashing a flurry of punches on the outclassed Manfredo, who threw nothing in return, thus drawing a stoppage from the referee. Manfredo and some American commentators called the stoppage premature because Manfredo did not appear hurt.[40] HBO's ringside announcers declared that the stoppage was "way too quick." Trainer Emanuel Steward did contend that Calzaghe was clearly on his way to victory, but the stoppage was no fault of his own.

Calzaghe vs. Kessler

Calzaghe at the Birmingham NEC in 2007.

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 unbeaten WBA World Champion Mikkel Kessler from Copenhagen, Denmark. The bout took place at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 4 November.[41] The fight was a unification bout for the WBO, The Ring, WBA (Super) and WBC Super Middleweight titles. Calzaghe won by unanimous decision, surpassing the 20 defenses made by Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes at middleweight and heavyweight respectively.[42][43][44] Only former Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis (25 defenses), former Light Heavyweight Champion Dariusz Michalczewski (23 defenses) and former Minimumweight Champion Ricardo López (23 defenses) have made more title defenses.

Calzaghe was frequently described as Undisputed Champion,[42][43][45][46] Since he had relinquished the IBF title, others argued that this was not strictly accurate,[47][48] Reuters called him "Undisputed King" of the division,[44] 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."[49] The WBA describes Undisputed Champion as those who hold any two of the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO titles;[50] which Calzaghe did after beating Kessler and had earlier done after beating Lacy.

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;[51] 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.[52]

Calzaghe vs. Hopkins

On 19 April 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada,[53] Calzaghe defeated Bernard Hopkins to win The Ring Light Heavyweight Championship by a split decision in his first ever fight in the United States.

Calzaghe did not get off to a good start. In the first round, Hopkins struck him with a right hand knocking him down.[54][55]

As the rounds went on, Calzaghe continued to push the pace and 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 easily blocked the shots whilst Hopkins gradually tired.[56] This was evident, as Hopkins held constantly, threw few punches and also repeatedly complained about alleged low blows from Calzaghe (which were not seen by the referee), at one point taking a knee.

According to CompuBox, Calzaghe landed more punches on Hopkins than any of his previous opponents.[57] American Judges Chuck Giampa (116–111) and Ted Gimza (115–112) scored the fight clearly for Calzaghe, while judge Adalaide Byrd (114–113) scored the fight narrowly for Hopkins. HBO's unofficial ringside judge Harold Lederman scored the bout 116–111 for Calzaghe.

Hopkins was upset with the official decision and said that he was robbed of a clear points win. Hopkins said, "I just really feel like I took the guy to school. I feel like I made him fight my fight, not his. I wanted him to run into my shots. I think I made him do that, and I think I made it look pretty easy. I think I controlled the pace, and I controlled the fight." He has also openly stated that he wants a rematch with Calzaghe.[58]

Calzaghe said: 'It was one of the toughest fights of my career.'

'He is very clever. He was so awkward. It wasn't pretty, but I won the fight.'

'It wasn't my best night, but I know I won.'[59]

"The first four rounds, and after that Calzaghe got in his groove, much like he did when he fought Mikkel Kessler, and from that point on it was Calzaghe. And Calzaghe didn't fight as good a fight as he could've fought, and he still won decisively." Emanuel Steward said at ringside.

Calzaghe vs. Jones Jr.

On 8 July 2008, after Calzaghe's split from Frank Warren, it was officially announced that the 39 year old, Roy Jones Jr., and 36 year old Joe Calzaghe had reached an agreement to fight for The Ring Light Heavyweight Championship in New York City at Madison Square Garden on 20 September 2008 on HBO PPV. Jones was on the comeback trail, and coming off a win over Felix Trinidad. After Calzaghe injured his right hand in training,[60] the fight was postponed,[61] with 8 November being set as the new date. Calzaghe was put down 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. All three judges' decisions were 118–109 for Calzaghe.[62][63]

Retirement

On 5 February 2009, Joe Calzaghe announced his retirement from professional boxing, finishing with a record of 46–0 and becoming only the tenth World Champion boxer, after Rocky Marciano, Ji-won Kim, Terry Marsh, Pichit Sitbangprachan, Harry Simon, Ricardo Lopez, Michael Loewe, Sven Ottke and Dmitry Pirog, to retire as an undefeated World Champion.[64] After his retirement, fellow boxer and friend, Ricky Hatton described him as "the best British fighter we've ever had."[65]

Boxrec rates Joe Calzaghe as the best Super Middleweight of all time.[66]

After boxing

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

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.

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.

In 2012, Calzaghe made a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of the UK TV comedy drama Stella.

Personal life

Calzaghe has two sons, Joe (born 1994) and Connor (born 1997), from an 11-year marriage to Mandy Davies from 1994 to 2005.[68] Calzaghe split up with his girlfriend of 5 years, Jo-Emma Larvin, in 2009, after participating in the seventh series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing series, partnering Russian professional Kristina Rihanoff.[69][70] Calzaghe and Rihanoff began a relationship soon thereafter.[71] However, the couple announced the amicable breakup of their relationship in August 2013.[72]

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."[73]

Professional boxing record

46 Wins (32 knockouts, 14 decisions), 0 Losses, 0 Draws[74]
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 46–0 United States Roy Jones Jr. UD 12 8 November 2008 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Retained The Ring Light Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 45–0 United States Bernard Hopkins SD 12 19 April 2008 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Won The Ring Light Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 44–0 Denmark Mikkel Kessler UD 12 3 November 2007 United Kingdom Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Retained WBO & The Ring Super Middleweight titles.
Won WBA (Super) & WBC Super Middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 43–0 United States Peter Manfredo, Jr. TKO 3 (12), 1:30 7 April 2007 United Kingdom Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Retained WBO & The Ring Super Middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 42–0 Cameroon Sakio Bika UD 12 14 October 2006 United Kingdom M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, Greater Manchester Retained WBO, IBF & The Ring Super Middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 41–0 United States Jeff Lacy UD 12 4 March 2006 United Kingdom M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, Greater Manchester Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
Won IBF & vacant The Ring Super Middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 40–0 Kenya Evans Ashira UD 12 10 September 2005 United Kingdom International Arena, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 39–0 Germany Mario Veit TKO 6 (12), 2:18 7 May 2005 Germany Volkswagen Halle, Braunschweig, Niedersachsen Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 38–0 Egypt Kabary Salem UD 12 22 October 2004 United Kingdom Royal Highland Showground, Edinburgh Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 37–0 Armenia Mger Mkrtchyan TKO 7 (12), 1:05 21 February 2004 United Kingdom National Ice Rink, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 36–0 United States Byron Mitchell TKO 2 (12), 2:36 28 June 2003 United Kingdom International Arena, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 35–0 United States Tocker Pudwill TKO 2 (12), 0:39 14 December 2002 United Kingdom Telewest Arena, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 34–0 United States Miguel Ángel Jiménez UD 12 17 August 2002 United Kingdom Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 33–0 United States Charles Brewer UD 12 20 April 2002 United Kingdom International Arena, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 32–0 United States Will McIntyre TKO 4 (12), 0:45 13 October 2001 Denmark Parken Stadium, Copenhagen Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 31–0 Germany Mario Veit TKO 1 (12), 1:52 28 April 2001 United Kingdom International Arena, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 30–0 United Kingdom Richie Woodhall TKO 10 (12), 0:28 16 December 2000 United Kingdom Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, Yorkshire Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 29–0 United States Omar Sheika TKO 5 (12), 2:08 12 August 2000 United Kingdom Wembley Conference Centre, Wembley, London Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 28–0 United Kingdom David Starie UD 12 29 January 2000 United Kingdom M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, Greater Manchester Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 27–0 Australia Rick Thornberry UD 12 5 June 1999 United Kingdom International Arena, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 26–0 United Kingdom Robin Reid SD 12 13 February 1999 United Kingdom Telewest Arena, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 25–0 Paraguay Juan Carlos Giménez Ferreyra RTD 9 (12), 3:00 25 April 1998 United Kingdom National Ice Rink, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 24–0 Croatia Branko Sobot TKO 3 (12), 1:35 24 January 1998 United Kingdom International Arena, Cardiff Retained WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 23–0 United Kingdom Chris Eubank UD 12 11 July 1997 United Kingdom Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, Yorkshire Won vacant WBO Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 22–0 Brazil Luciano Torres TKO 3 (10), 0:52 5 June 1997 United Kingdom Whitchurch Leisure Centre, Bristol, Avon
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 21–0 United States Tyler Hughes KO 1 (10), 2:04 22 March 1997 United Kingdom Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, Greater Manchester
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 20–0 United Kingdom Carlos Christie TKO 2 (10), 1:39 21 January 1997 United Kingdom Whitchurch Leisure Centre, Bristol, Avon
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19–0 United States Pat Lawlor TKO 2 (10), 1:55 15 May 1996 United Kingdom Star Leisure Centre, Cardiff
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–0 United Kingdom Warren Stowe TKO 2 (8), 3:00 4 May 1996 United Kingdom Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, Essex
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–0 United Kingdom Mark Delaney TKO 5 (12) 20 April 1996 United Kingdom International Centre, Brentwood, Essex Retained BBBofC British Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–0 United States Anthony Brooks TKO 2 (10) 13 March 1996 United Kingdom Brent Town Hall, Brent, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–0 United States Guy Stanford TKO 1 (10), 1:24 13 February 1996 United Kingdom Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–0 United Kingdom Stephen Wilson TKO 8 (12), 2:18 28 October 1995 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London Won vacant BBBofC British Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–0 United Kingdom Nick Manners TKO 4 (8), 2:20 30 September 1995 United Kingdom Festival Hall, Basildon, Essex
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–0 United States Tyrone Jackson TKO 4 (8), 1:08 8 July 1995 United Kingdom Barbican Centre, York, Yorkshire
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–0 United States Robert Curry TKO 1 (8), 1:29 19 May 1995 United Kingdom Elephant & Castle Centre, Southwark, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–0 United Kingdom Bobbie Joe Edwards UD 8 22 February 1995 United Kingdom Ice Rink, Telford, Shropshire
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 United States Frank Minton KO 1 (8), 1:25 14 February 1995 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 United Kingdom Trevor Ambrose TKO 2 (8) 30 November 1994 United Kingdom Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 United Kingdom Mark Lee Dawson TKO 1 (8) 1 October 1994 United Kingdom National Ice Rink, Cardiff
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 United Kingdom Karl Barwise TKO 1 (6) 4 June 1994 United Kingdom National Ice Rink, Cardiff
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 United Kingdom Darren Littlewood TKO 1 (6) 1 March 1994 United Kingdom Town Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 United Kingdom Martin Rosamond TKO 1 (6) 22 January 1994 United Kingdom Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 United Kingdom Spencer Alton TKO 2 (4) 16 December 1993 United Kingdom Newport Centre, Newport
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 United Kingdom Paul Mason TKO 1 (4) 10 November 1993 United Kingdom Watford Town Hall, Watford, Hertfordshire
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 United Kingdom Paul Hanlon TKO 1 (4) 1 October 1993 United Kingdom Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Professional debut.

Titles in boxing

Major World Titles:

The Ring/Lineal Championship Titles:

Regional/International Titles:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Joe Calzaghe – Boxer profile". Boxrec.com. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  2. ↑ "Calzaghe ends division domination". BBC News. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  3. ↑ "The Ring Ratings". The Ring. Archived from the original on 15 March 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2007.
  4. ↑ The Ring 100: Ranking the World's Best Fighters – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia, Boxrec.com; 1 March 2009; retrieved 19 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Undefeated Calzaghe quits boxing". BBC Sport. 5 February 2009. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
  6. ↑ "East Side Boxing". East Side Boxing. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  7. ↑ BBC News Sports Article retrieved 10 December 2007
  8. ↑ "Joe Calzaghe and promoter Barry Hearn and inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame". Telegraph; retrieved 6 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "Joe Calzaghe: My family values". The Guardian. November 5, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Boxing: Calzaghe’s proudest moment". WalesOnlinewebsite. Times Newspapers Ltd. 2009-05-08. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  11. ↑ "News – News – Virgin Media". Latestnews.virginmedia.com. 11 July 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  12. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 58729. p. 7. 14 June 2008.
  13. ↑ "Sports – Sports News – Boxing: Joe Calzaghe chases his very own Fairytale of New York!". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  14. ↑ British Broadcasting Corporation. "BBC Online – Just the Job – Take it from me". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  15. ↑ Shuttleworth P How to stop Joe CalzagheBBC report, 15 April 2008
  16. ↑ Biography on Joe Calzaghe's official website
  17. ↑ World Championship Boxing presents Joe Calzaghe Manchester Evening News, October 2006
  18. ↑ "Joe Calzaghe – A Boxing Legend Profile". Talkboxing.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Turbervill, Huw (2009-02-05). "Top 10: Joe Calzaghe's most important bouts". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Calzaghe cruises to WBO defence". BBC News. 1998-01-25. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  21. ↑ "Robin Reid – pictures, picture, pics, images, gallery, info, bio, gossip, shirtless, photos, videos, band, lyrics, songs". Mostbeautifulman.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  22. ↑ "Joe Calzaghe Boxing | Calzaghe Vs Hopkins Boxing Fight Tickets". Exodine.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  23. ↑ "Calzaghe-Woodhall – the countdown". BBC News. 2000-10-17. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Calzaghe douses Kid Fire". BBC News. 2001-10-13. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  25. ↑ "Boxing Fights". BritishBoxing.net. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  26. ↑ "Calzaghe and Hatton score easy wins in Newcastle". Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  27. ↑ "Calzaghe destroys Pudwill". BBC News. 2002-12-14. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  28. ↑ Bunce, Steve (2003-06-27). "Boxing: Calzaghe's world title under threat from Mitchell". The Independent (London). Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  29. ↑ "Calzaghe scores explosive win". BBC.co.uk. 2003-06-28. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
  30. ↑ "Joe Calzaghe Nearly Derailed – Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  31. ↑ "Results from 2004". BBC News. 2005-01-04. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  32. ↑ "Latest Boxing News". BritishBoxing.net. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  33. ↑ "Calzaghe breaks left hand in 20th title defense against Manfredo". USA Today. 2007-04-10. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  34. ↑ "Clinical Calzaghe". BBC Sport. 2006-03-05. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  35. ↑ "Boxing: All Fights : Upcoming". HBO. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  36. ↑ Staniforth, Mark. "Calzaghe overcomes the cut and thrust of Bika to win in ugly style – Scotsman.com Sport". Sport.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  37. ↑ "Calzaghe relinquishes IBF title". BBC News. 2006-11-27. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  38. ↑ "Alejandro Berrio – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  39. ↑ Rawling, John (2007-04-03). "Calzaghe's heavyweight dream". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  40. ↑ "Calzaghe too strong for Manfredo". BBC News. 2007-04-07. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  41. ↑ "Calzaghe-Kessler set Cardiff date". BBC Sport. 11 July 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Johnson, Chuck (2007-11-03). "Calzaghe beats Kessler to unify belts, eyes Hopkins". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Paul Upham (4 November 2007). "Calzaghe Outboxes Kessler To Become Undisputed World Champion". SecondsOut.com. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Reuters (5 November 2007). "Calzaghe the undisputed king". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  45. ↑ Staniforth, Mark (4 November 2007). "Battler Calzaghe triumphs against Kessler". The Independent on Sunday (London: PA Sport). Retrieved 2008-11-10. Joe Calzaghe was crowned undisputed world super-middleweight champion in Cardiff tonight
  46. ↑ "Calzaghe the king in Cardiff Welshman wows his home crowd with points win over great Dane". Sky Sports. 4 November 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  47. ↑ Kimball, George (11 November 2007). "Calzaghe’s plans quickly executed". Boston Herald. 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
  48. ↑ Gonzalez, Frank, Jr. (3 November 2007). "Sharkie’s Machine: Joe Calzaghe Too Slick For Mikkel Kessler". eastsideboxing.com. 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.)
  49. ↑ Avila, David A. (1 November 2007). "America's Watching Calzaghe-Kessler". thesweetscience.com. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  50. ↑ "Super Championships guidelines". World Boxing Association. Archived from the original on 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  51. ↑ "Calzaghe ends Warren association". BBC News. 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  52. ↑ Calzaghe Wins Court Battle Against Promoter NY Times, 16 March 2009
  53. ↑ Iole, Kevin. "Fight breakdown: Hopkins-Calzaghe – Boxing – Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  54. ↑   04.19 (2008-04-19). "Hopkins-Calzaghe, Round-By-Round | SI Staff Blog". FanNation.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  55. ↑ Iole, Kevin. "Hopkins-Calzaghe round-by-round – Boxing – Yjkkulo89p[puahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  56. ↑ "Sharkie’s Machine: White Boy Beats Bernard Hopkins". Eastsideboxing.com. 2008-04-20. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  57. ↑ Falgoust, J. Michael (2008-04-20). "'Legend killer' Calzaghe overcomes Hopkins". USA Today. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  58. ↑ "Bernard Hopkins Still Wants Rematch With Calzaghe, Says He'll KO Joe This Time!". Eastsideboxing.com. 2008-10-24. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  59. ↑ Dirs, Ben (2008-04-20). "Calzaghe rallies to beat Hopkins". BBC News.
  60. ↑ "Calzaghe confident on hand injury". BBC News. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  61. ↑ Rawling, John (2008-07-23). "Hand injury hits Calzaghe's New York date with Jones". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  62. ↑
  63. ↑ Perfect Joe Calzaghe. boxingcapital.com
  64. ↑ "Undefeated Calzaghe quits boxing". BBC Sport (BBC). 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  65. ↑ "Hatton hails Calzaghe as the best". BBC Sport. 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  66. ↑ http://boxrec.com/ratings.php?country=&sex=m&division=Super+Middleweight&status=E&SUBMIT=Go
  67. ↑ "Only Hatton can decide – Calzaghe". BBC Sport. 2009-05-18. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
  68. ↑ About Joe joecalzaghe.com
  69. ↑ "Calzaghe could be Strictly Champion". Wales Online. 2009-08-26.
  70. ↑ "Strictly single: The curse of Come Dancing KOs Joe Calzaghe's five-year romance". Dailymail.co.uk (2009-08-28). Retrieved on 2012-12-19.
  71. ↑ "'Joe persuaded me to strip off': Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff reveals boxer boyfriend encouraged her to bare all for calendar" Dailymail.co.uk (2012-12-18). Retrieved on 2012-1-9.
  72. ↑ "Strictly over: Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff 'mutually and amicably' split after a four year romance". Daily Mail (London).
  73. ↑ "An Apology". joecalzaghe.com. 2010-03-28.
  74. ↑ Joe Calzaghe : Boxer. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2012-12-19.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Joe Calzaghe
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
11 October 1997 – 26 September 2008
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Denis Inkin
Preceded by
Jeff Lacy		 IBF Super Middleweight Champion
4 March 2006 – 27 November 2006
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Alejandro Berrio
Inaugural Champion The Ring Super Middleweight Champion
4 March 2006 – 28 September 2008
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Andre Ward
Preceded by
Mikkel Kessler		 WBC Super Middleweight Champion
4 November 2007 – 27 June 2008
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Carl Froch
WBA Super Middleweight Champion
Super Title
4 November 2007 – 21 October 2008
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Mikkel Kessler
Vacant
Title last held by
Bruno Girard		 Lineal Super Middleweight Champion
4 November 2007 – 21 October 2008
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Andre Ward
Preceded by
Bernard Hopkins		 The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion
19 April 2008 – 5 February 2009
Retired 		Vacant
Title next held by
Jean Pascal