Joe Calzaghe: Difference between revisions
m adding category:Living people |
his being bullied was not really ironic - rephrased |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
'''Joe Calzaghe''' is a British [[boxing|boxer]] of half [[Italian people|Italian]] and half [[Welsh people|Welsh]] descent, based in [[Wales]]. He was born on [[March 23]], [[1972]], at Hammersmith Hospital, [[London, UK]]. Joe's father Enzo was born in [[Sardinia]] but had spent many years living in England. |
'''Joe Calzaghe''' is a British [[boxing|boxer]] of half [[Italian people|Italian]] and half [[Welsh people|Welsh]] descent, based in [[Wales]]. He was born on [[March 23]], [[1972]], at Hammersmith Hospital, [[London, UK]]. Joe's father Enzo was born in [[Sardinia]] but had spent many years living in England. |
||
When Joe was two years old the family moved to [[South Wales]], from where Joe's mother hailed. He is sometimes referred to as the "Italian Dragon" as a nod to his Italian heritage, and the "Pride of Wales" as a nod to his Welsh heritage. Encouraged by his father, Joe was a promising [[football]]er and [[Boxing|boxer]], first putting on gloves at Newbridge Boxing Club at the age of nine. |
When Joe was two years old the family moved to [[South Wales]], from where Joe's mother hailed. He is sometimes referred to as the "Italian Dragon" as a nod to his Italian heritage, and the "Pride of Wales" as a nod to his Welsh heritage. Encouraged by his father, Joe was a promising [[football]]er and [[Boxing|boxer]], first putting on gloves at Newbridge Boxing Club at the age of nine. Joe has stated that he was bullied as a child and teenager - interesting considering his current position where he relies upon physical prominence and confidence. |
||
After winning British Schoolboy Titles, Joe went on to win three consecutive British ABA titles (1991-1993) at Welter, Light Middle and Middle weight divisions. Joe became only the second boxer in history to record the feat, the first being [[Fred Webster]] in 1926-1928 who won at Bantam, Feather and Light Weight. Only one boxer took Joe to the full nine minutes of a bout during this time. In one of his two losses, his opponent's father was the referee. |
After winning British Schoolboy Titles, Joe went on to win three consecutive British ABA titles (1991-1993) at Welter, Light Middle and Middle weight divisions. Joe became only the second boxer in history to record the feat, the first being [[Fred Webster]] in 1926-1928 who won at Bantam, Feather and Light Weight. Only one boxer took Joe to the full nine minutes of a bout during this time. In one of his two losses, his opponent's father was the referee. |
||
Revision as of 16:48, 23 February 2006
Joe Calzaghe is a British boxer of half Italian and half Welsh descent, based in Wales. He was born on March 23, 1972, at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. Joe's father Enzo was born in Sardinia but had spent many years living in England.
When Joe was two years old the family moved to South Wales, from where Joe's mother hailed. He is sometimes referred to as the "Italian Dragon" as a nod to his Italian heritage, and the "Pride of Wales" as a nod to his Welsh heritage. Encouraged by his father, Joe was a promising footballer and boxer, first putting on gloves at Newbridge Boxing Club at the age of nine. Joe has stated that he was bullied as a child and teenager - interesting considering his current position where he relies upon physical prominence and confidence.
After winning British Schoolboy Titles, Joe went on to win three consecutive British ABA titles (1991-1993) at Welter, Light Middle and Middle weight divisions. Joe became only the second boxer in history to record the feat, the first being Fred Webster in 1926-1928 who won at Bantam, Feather and Light Weight. Only one boxer took Joe to the full nine minutes of a bout during this time. In one of his two losses, his opponent's father was the referee.
In September 1993 Joe was signed up to the Terry Lawless and Mickey Duff stable and made his professional debut at Cardiff Arms Park on the Lewis-Bruno bill the following month. Joe created enough of an impression for one journalist to remark, "...those punters who took their seats an hour or so before the big fight might one day make the boast in a slightly different context I was there when Joe Calzaghe made his professional debut!." (South Wales Echo)
By June 1995, Joe had won nine out of nine fights, seven in the first round and two in the second.
At the end of 1995 Joe was voted Young Boxer of the Year by the Professional Boxing Association and the Boxing Writers' Club. He became Barry McGuigan's top tip for 1996 with the following quote: "He punches ferociously, moves superbly and has the best of the European technique and US aggression." By October 1995 Joe had won the British Championship, stopping Steve Wilson in the 8th round.
His critics said that Joe had not really been tested. Joe's reply was that he could only beat what was out there and prepared to fight him. A five round bludgeoning of the experienced and respected Mark Delaney in April 1996 started to change opinions.
In November 1996, Joe moved to Frank Warren's stable. Warren, who had managed Nigel Benn for his first 20 fights, declared: "Joe Calzaghe is a far better prospect, in fact he is my fighter for the new millennium."
Joe spent the summer of 1997 chasing a fight with either Robin Reid or Steve Collins (WBC and WBO champs respectively). The fight with Steve Collins was arranged and then at a late stage Collins withdrew because of injury, had his title stripped and then retired.
A fight between Joe and the recently deposed champ Chris Eubank was set up for the vacant WBO World crown for the 11th October 1997 in Sheffield, England. This fight ended with a decisive win for Joe.
In 1998 Joe defended his title against Branco Sobot (TKO 3) and then the durable Juan Carlos Gimenez (TKO 9), a nemesis of both Nigel Benn and Eubank.
1999 started with a fight against Robin Reid (Points win) and another points win against Rick Thornberry followed early the next year with another points decision against David Starie.
The wins against the highly rated Omar Sheika (a five round stoppage) and former WBC champion and close friend Richie Woodhall were followed by a destruction of Mario Veit (1 minute 55 seconds) and an equally decisive win against Will Mcintyre on the Tyson undercard in Copenhagen.
After facing tough competition against Bryon Mitchell and Karbary Salem, both of whom scored knockdowns again Calzaghe, he has secured his dominance in European boxing circles by beating Veit in a rematch that ended in a technical knockout in the sixth round.
He most recently fought the Kenyan boxer, Evans Ashira, on September 10, 2005. This fight was won by a unanimous decision in his favor. His scheduled bout with Jeff Lacy for November 5, 2005 has been canceled due to him breaking his metacarpal in his left hand during his fight with Ashira. His promoter, Frank Warren has successfully rescheduled it for March 2006.
Calzaghe Fact File
Born: 23/03/1972
Turned pro: 01/10/1993
Division:Super-middleweight
Record: 40(31 KO)-0
Alias: The Terminator
Height: 6ft
Reach: 75in
Trainer: Enzo Calzaghe
Promoter: Frank Warren