Joe Calzaghe took up boxing as a ten year old while living in Newbridge, South Wales, throwing his first jabs at the ramshackle Newbridge Boxing Club. From these humble roots he went on to become a household name in the sport, and remains the longest reigning super middleweight world champion in boxing history.
Now, The Pride of Wales, as the boxer was known to fans, has one more accolade to add to his impressive collection, after he was inducted into The British Boxing Hall of Fame at a ceremony in the English town of Hastings last month.
Set up ten years ago, the organization honours boxers, trainers, managers and promoters who have had a lasting impact on the sport. The annual event also aims to raise money for its associated charity, The Ringside Charitable Trust, which works to support boxers with their physical and mental health following retirement.
On the night when he was inducted into The British Boxing Hall of Fame, Calzaghe, who went undefeated in the ring throughout his career (46 wins, 32 by KO), was heralded as the best British boxer of all time by the organisation’s chairman, David Harris.
When introducing Calzaghe to the crowds at the sold-out event celebrating the latest inductees into the Hall of Fame, Harris said he’d polled many leading boxing pundits as to who was their pick of the greatest Brits to step into the ring. According to him, the unanimous consensus was that the Welshman edged the title over other big hitters from the sport including Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury.
Since hanging up his gloves in 2009, Calzaghe has maintained a presence in Wales, with the training facility he owns, the Calzaghe Gym, operating in Newbridge – located just down the road from the gym where he got his first shaky sparring sessions.
Discover more famous Welsh faces, from the world of sport and beyond.
