Calzaghe Reflects on His Early Career

Widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers to emerge from the British Isles, Joe Calzaghe retired undefeated, boasting an impressive record as a super-middleweight champion for over a decade. He also made history by stepping up in weight to defeat two legendary fighters in the United States. Thirty years ago, a pivotal moment in his journey took place at a leisure centre in Essex. Calzaghe shared his experiences with Sky Sports, recalling his first professional fight in the away corner: 'It was my first British title defence, and I had a 16-0 record at the time. My promoter, Mickey Duff, lost the purse bid to Barry Hearn and Matchroom, so we had to fight in Mark Delaney's backyard, and he was unbeaten at the time.' Up to that point, Calzaghe had dominated his opponents, with 14 of his 16 fights ending before the fifth round. However, this fight was different due to the hostile atmosphere. 'The Brentwood Centre was a challenging environment, with booing, spitting, and name-calling. But I fed off the energy and remained confident in my ability to knock him out,' Calzaghe explained. His confidence was well-founded, as he went on to deliver a statement performance, dropping his opponent in the first round and controlling the fight before it was stopped in the fifth round. This victory was a testament to Calzaghe's burgeoning reputation, and it marked a significant milestone in his career. Despite the success, his promoter, Mickey Duff, was not entirely pleased, as he had bet on Calzaghe to win within the first four rounds. Calzaghe's corner was filled with notable figures, including his father and trainer, Enzo, Terry Lawless, and Mickey Duff. When asked about potential conflicts, Calzaghe clarified that his father was the main trainer and the one he listened to. Following this victory, Calzaghe was just one successful defence away from earning the Lonsdale Belt outright. However, his chances were derailed by a pothole in the Welsh valleys that caused him to roll his ankle, forcing him to withdraw from his next fight. This incident led to Calzaghe parting ways with Mickey Duff and teaming up with Frank Warren, ultimately resulting in him relinquishing his British title. By October 1997, Calzaghe had achieved his goal of becoming a world champion, defeating Chris Eubank to become the WBO super-middleweight champion. When asked if he regretted not staying in the domestic scene longer to claim the Lonsdale Belt, Calzaghe expressed that it would have been nice but noted that he has no regrets about his career path. He jokingly suggested that someone could still get him the belt, given his status as a former British champion. Calzaghe's career is a testament to his dedication and perseverance, as he went on to headline fights in Las Vegas and Madison Square Garden, solidifying his position as one of Britain's all-time greats.