Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis are considered two of the best boxers that ever came from Europe in any time.
Calzaghe retired undefeated with 46 fights but people don’t talk about all the injuries and broken bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles along the way — one of the toughest fighters from that alone, Calzaghe.
He never really talks about the physical injuries he had from childhood right the way through but those who know, know, he is as tough as it is possible for a man to be tough to battle through all those injuries over the years.
Also few know about where the Italian heritage comes from for the Welshman. Calzaghe of Wales spoke to former pound for pound champion from America Andre Ward on Art of Ward podcast on it:
“My father Enzo bless him. He’s from Sardinia. Off the coast of Italy. After the Second World War my grandfather like a lot of Italians came over to the UK. They lived in Bedford England and he worked there. My father was brought up English from the age of 4 until about 11 or 12. When he was around 15 he went back to Sardinia but he didn’t want to go. He loved the UK. He was a talented soccer player and there was music in the family. My father learned to play the bass from my aunt and uncle and that was it. He loved music.”
Calzaghe went on:
“He was gigging in the 1960s during the flower power era. His story is amazing he traveled around Europe. Went to Amsterdam. Came back to England and eventually ended up in South Wales. That’s where he met my mom. She was serving him at a Wimpy restaurant. She was only 16 at the time. They got together and I was born in Hammersmith London. We only lived there for a year though. The English might say I was born in London but I’m Welsh-Italian.”
Clearly, clearly not English. Hell no. Far from it, Calzaghe.
It is the opinion of some the Joe Calzaghe is one of the best fighters that ever lived not just because of what he achieved.
But the sheer determination he showed through so many physical injuries over such a long period of time from youth right up to his prime and the end of his fight career.
Calzaghe has been linked to a fight with Carl Froch recently but likely Calzaghe will remain retired.
As far as Wales and Italy go, not many also know Wales had another world champion with Italian heritage too — Enzo Maccarinelli.
