RIP Enzo Calzaghe (Tribute) - KnockOut London Magazine 22

Enzo Calzaghe - A Tribute…

Joe Calzaghe is one of the best fighters to ever come out of Britain, that is a fact to all fans of the beautiful sport, he never lost in 46 of his professional fights and became one of the greatest super middleweight champions of his time. And his amazing dad, the great Enzo Calzaghe is the one that carried him through, the man who shaped his talents from the minute he laced up a pair of gloves right up until his retirement in 2009 - and his passing is a great loss to the whole of the Calzaghe family but to the whole of the boxing world to lose such a personality and such a great man who came from nothing and just enjoyed the sport of boxing more than anything.

Enzo was born in Sardinia and moved to Bedfordshire at the age of just two, returning to Italy when he was 13 to try and make a career as a footballer. Calzaghe also had many talents, playing the bass guitar for his uncle’s band ‘survival’ was up there with one of them but he was conscripted to the Italian Air Force at the age of 19 and spent the next two years in their Milan football team. He completed service in 1969 and then travelled Europe as a busker, sometimes sleeping rough in city squares until he took up a job as a waiter to save up up enough money to go back to his home town of Sardinia but instead ended up in Cardiff working in a Wimpy.

Whilst in Cardiff Enzo got involved in the local boxing gym alongside Paul Williams who was head coach at the Newbridge Boxing Club who then invited him to bring his young son Joe along who was nine at the time as he was being bullied at school - Joe then became a regular at the gym and the rest, as they say, is history. Enzo’s passion for the sport meant that Joe enjoyed a glittering amateur career and had the most amazing of professional careers from 1993-2009 where he became WBO super-middleweight world champion in 1997 and made a record 21 successful title defenses.

Aside from guiding his son Joe to success he also had part to do with great fighters in the gym such as: Enzo Maccarinelli, Nathan Cleverly, Gavin Rees, Bradley Pryce and Gary Lockett.

Enzo Calzaghe won: coach of the year, BBC sports personality of the year, Ring magazine trainer of the year, Futch-Concon Award and retired from coaching in 2008 though the gym he worked in continued to thrive from his years of hard work.

Joe has previously been quoted as saying that they were in fact the best team together and he is the only reason he ever laced up a pair of gloves - they always stuck together through the good times and the bad which everyone experiences in boxing - but what better man to have in the corner and know you as a man than your great father. Joe even dedicated his entry into the Boxing Hall of fame in 2014 to his father who had been with him since day one and for pushing him to become the great man that he is.

Enzo’s character was fiery but loving and to all that knew him knew that he threw himself into everything he did with 100% passion and commitment! The boxing community have lost a true soldier of the sport and we would like to thank Enzo for everything he brought to the beautiful sport of boxing especially his amazing son Joe - your spirit will live on through your family and the lessons you taught your fighters - you will always be remembered Enzo for your infectious personality, great mind and the fact that boxing truly did run through your veins.

In 2010 Enzo received an MBE for his services to boxing - this was one to add to his many accolades throughout the years, proving just what a special man he really was.

Post/ statement from Joe Calzaghe circulating on Social Media:
“Dad I miss you so much. Thank you for always being there for me. I’m blessed having you as my dad and my best friend. You were my teacher, mentor and will always be my hero. You picked me up when I didn’t believe in myself, and you made me believe. Without you nothing would have been possible. I thank God you was with me by my side all the way through my life. You supported me through the highs and lows & taught me how being a great dad should be. You will be missed everyday. You are always in my heart & will continue to be by my side throughout my life. I love you always & forever Dad.”

#KnockOutLondonMagazine 22nd Edition:
https://www.flipsnack.com/knockoutlon...