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Calzaghe's Career in photos

An excellent photoset has appeared on the BBC website shwoing the highs and highs from Joe Calzaghe's pro career after he announced retirement today.

Go here to view: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7709273.stm

Calzaghe Retires Undefeated and Undisputed

Joe Calzaghe confirmed to BBC Sport today that he is retiring from boxing after having won all 47 professional fights, being World Champion for 11 years, beaten top Americans in the UK and in their own backyard and having avoided nobody. His legacy and greatness is assurred.

While a sad day, Joe is 36 and achieved all his goals. I've paid tribute to him many times on this blog and attended over a dozen of his fights including the night he tore apart Jeff Lacy in Manchester with the greatest boxing display I've ever seen by any boxer. I was there and can tell you it's one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Well done Joe, boxing and Wales is proud of you.


Here is Joe's retirement interview.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7871918.stm

Cardiff City win Welsh Team of the Year and Aaron Ramsey gets Welsh young Sportsman of the Year

In a crowning year for Welsh sport, what delight there was for Cardiff City followers at the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year Awards held at the SWALEC cricket stadium in Cardiff.

I was due to attend the event (ticket above) but competing circumstances meant that, unfortunately, I had to decline.


What a shame really as I missed the Mighty Mighty Bluebirds win the Team of the Year Award. Competition was as stiff is it could be with Wales egg chasers winning the Grand Slam, Swansea City being League One Champions and Team Calzaghe striding on in boxing. Expectations were low as City lost the final and BBC Wales are regarded as rugby-centric but the panel recognised City's achievement getting to a Final as a Championship side was momumental. A wonderful surprise but I agree with their choice. Well done Cardiff City!


Aaron Ramsey had a monumental year as well. Breaking into Cardiff City's first team, showing his star qualities, playing in that Cup Final, earning a £5M transfer to Arsenal making an impact there already and becoming a full Welsh international after starring for the Under 21's all in his 18th year is incredible.


The main award went to rugby's Shane Williams who beat Olympic Gold Medal Cyclist Nicole Cooke into 2nd and Joe Calzaghe into 3rd.

Link to Story:

Shane wins 2008 BBC Wales crownBBC News

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Calzaghe vs Roy Jones Jnr. - Full Fight video

At this Far East verison of YouTube

http://www.worldofcombat.net/roy-jones-vs-joe-calzaghe-result-video.html

JOE CALZAGHE HAMMERS ROY JONES Jr.

Joe Calzaghe comprehensively did the business and demolished Roy Jones Jr in the legendary Madison Square Gardens to take his World Champion ways into an 11th year and his record to a perfect 46 wins and 0 defeats.

Joe won massively. It was 11 rounds to 1 on the scorecards of all three judges but what a scare with that lost round as Joe was put down and in trouble in the second minute of the fight and had to use his instincts to survive that round.

From then on however, it was one way traffic as Joe unloaded and Jones was only able to respond with single shots but they were each dangerous. It did seem for a while that Joe's only problem was himself as he was complacent at times and guilty of showboating as he trapped Jones Jr. on the ropes, unloaded a small barrage but stepped back to admire his work instead of being ruthless and efficient. Dropping his hands down was worrying too but he got away with it, how embarrassing it could have been had he got tagged again.

The defining moment of the fight came in Round 7 as Joe caught Jones Jr. with a straight right giving him a severe cut for the first time in his career and the contest was never really in doubt after that as Jones struggled with his cut that just never stopped bleeding, an eye that eventually closed and tiredness as the combo of Joe's work and movement and Father Time caught up with him.

I wish Joe finished Jones off as he certainly seemed to be there for the taking. Jones cut was so severe - to the extent that 3 rounds started late while they continued to work on him - that nobody could have complained if it was stopped and, perhaps, it should have been. However Joe doesn't seem able to put opponents away anymore and for the 6th time in 7 contests, it was the judges who decided it, not that they had any decision to make.

Joe's legacy is assured but, as many suspected, after talking about this being his last fight all week, Joe announced he wanted to have a think. His performance was very impressive and I'm sure pressure will now build for him to fight again and finish at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium but, in truth, there is really nobody left for him to fight and nothing more for him to prove.

You're a true legend Joe Calzaghe.

Joe Calzaghe v Roy Jones Jnr weigh-in, final meet and Joe's pre-fight thoughts

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/videos-and-pics/2008/10/31/calzaghe-i-m-ready-to-fight-91466-22196831/

Calzaghe ready for his date with New York destiny

In the early hours of tomorrow (4am Cardiff time to be exact), Joe Calzaghe enters the ring at Madison Square Gardens aiming to outpoint the legendary Roy Jones Jr on his home turf.

It won't be easy but I'm sure Joe can do it and further his legend.

Here's a fight preview.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/sports-news-round-up/2008/11/08/boxing-joe-calzaghe-ready-for-his-date-with-destiny-91466-22209180/

SEE TWO BOXING LEGENDS FACE TO FACE THIS SATURDAY IN CARDIFF

Ahead of their November Las Vegas showdown, Joe Calaghe and Roy Jones Junior will meet face to face to promote the bout this Saturday in Cardiff.

Everyone who attends will get a free big fight t-shirt and is entered in raffles for free signed gloves by the pair.

GO ON JOE!

Warren and Calzaghe doing a Hasselbaink and Ridsdale

Just when you wondered how Cardiff City and Peter Ridsdale got themselves into a siutation with Jimmy Floyd-Hasslebaink that may yet end up in court over something that may (or may not) have been agreed verbally - the latest news is that it is likely to be settled out of court but will obviously cost City regardless - out comes almost a mirror image dispute in boxing.

Joe Calzaghe has decided to go it alone for his mega fight with Roy Jones Jr. after a career spent with Frank Warren promoting him. Warren himself believs that they'd struck a verbal deal for FW to promote. This one could end up in the courts as well. It's a pity that a relationship like they've had ends up like this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7535731.stm

CALZAGHE - THE BEST of BRITISH says McGuigan

Barry McGuigan hails ‘Our Joe’ as the Best British Boxer ever.

Some claim but justifiable.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7369798.stm

CALZAGHE - big Hopkins post-fight interview

Joe shares his thoughts with BBC with a 15 minute video interview in which he shares his annoyance at Bernard Hopkins fight tactics and his comments about his loss.

It's a good listen so grab yourself a cuppa and check it out.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7367197.stm

Roy Jones Jr. in Cardiff is next for Calzaghe???

That seems to be the feeling and one that will now gathert monmentum after last night's win.

Here, Roy Jones Jr. - someone who, like Hopkins, seems to have previously avoided Calzaghe - is now talking about it himself.

Jones targets Calzaghe in CardiffBBC Sport - UK

CALZAGHE BEATS HOPKINS - The Media Say ...

Here's how press saw the man dubbed in Vegas as "The Outlaw Joe C Wales" with a good twist to the Clintwood Eastwood film title.

Calzaghe's king of Las Vegasic Wales, United Kingdom
JONES EYES CARDIFF CLASH WITH CALZAGHE Sportinglife.com
Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins round-by-round Telegraph.co.uk
Boxing: Calzaghe wins on points ic Wales
Calzaghe relieved after winning uglyGuardian, UK
Joe Calzaghe v Bernard Hopkins: round by roundTimes Online
Boxer Calzaghe remains unbeaten with split decision over Hopkins
Calzaghe Recovers From a Rocky Start To Beat Hopkins By Split DecisionEastsideBoxing.com
Split Decision Goes To Joe CalzagheSo Hood, NY
Calzaghe Vs. Hopkins: The View from the BritsBleacher Report, CA
Calzaghe wins split decisionRegina Leader-Post, Canada
Calzaghe edges Hopkins in split decisionKRIS-TV, TX

MAGNIFICENT JOE CALZAGHE BEAT HOPKINS in LAS VEGAS

Phew - it's just past 5am and that was one hell of a night and scare but Joe Calzaghe did it again and succeeded where so many fighters have failed - by winning in Las Vegas and beating a ring legend too in The Executioner, Bernard Hopkins. I'm so happy for Joe and it was a fantastic atmosphere with all the Welsh and City fans there making all the noise.

Not a classic fight, far from his best performance, he never had a big round but to go into the Lion's Den, take on B Hop, recover from that 1st round knockdown and a cagey first three or four rounds which clearly affected him for some time just shows why he's unbeaten as a pro and a living legend. I can think of many who would have caved and let it get to them, Joe never did.My heart was in my mouth at the end when it went to the judges, more so that he won on a split decision but the right man won, the best man won.

Respect to B Hop though even though I hope I don't see him fight again, the man's a spolier and a negative fighter who shouldn't have been allowed to get away with some of his antics but you got to admire his fitness.

Good Morning!

JOE CALZAGHE IN CITY SHIRT at LAS VEGAS WEIGH IN

Joe's big fight takes place in the early hours on Sunday morning (UK time) against Bernard Hopkins but the weigh-in has just taken place with Joe wearing a Cardiff City shirt as well as many in the crowd.

How brilliant is that? :>)

Video of weigh-in (see Joe in his City shirt in 1st minute)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-htU1TAgZ8Q

Newspaper report (talking about Cardiff City shirts!)
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/18/sports/BOX-Hopkins-Calzaghe-Weigh-In.php

CALZAGHE v HOPKINS in VEGAS LOOKING VERY LIKELY

What an occasion that will be, I'd better start saving!!!

BBC story > http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7136912.stm

Frank Warrens' website

http://www.frankwarren.tv/drill/News/Articles/2007/12/10/text-calzaghe-guns-for-hopkins-in-2008.html