Boxing: Calzaghe is only second to Bestie genius

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Unbeaten in 45 fights, a decade as world champion and now a two-weight world champion having defeated the best light-heavyweight on the planet and a boxing legend in Bernard Hopkins. Calzaghe stands tall in the pantheon of British sportsmen.

Here is a man in the most demanding of sports who is untouchable.

Some might argue that Steven Redgrave, winner of five gold medals rates above him but then he had three others helping him along the way and boxing is a far greater global sport.

Others might argue, what about Ian Botham? Nick Faldo? Bobby Moore? Daley Thompson?

None of the above surpass Calzaghe.

Indeed, only one man beats the Welshman and that's our own genius, George Best.

Bestie's brilliance never ceases to inspire and when you can do things that others of your own generation cannot it puts you at the top of the three.

Calzaghe's reign will only be fully appreciated when he has finally hung up his gloves - which may not be for another 18 months.

One more fight with Roy Jones jnr would suffice for Calzaghe was the general consensus after the Las Vegas defeat of Hopkins but now it seems the likeable Welshman, supported by a host of celebrities, may be tempted to stay around a little longer.

Asked this week about only having one more fight, he said: "You never know," he said. "To be honest it's probably one more fight. They are the famous last words of many fighters. We'll have to wait and see."

The immediate plans are to "chill out" on holiday before assessing his options.

He also has to review the footage of his split-decision victory against Hopkins as he has not watched a recording yet - he will get a chance tomorrow as the BBC have announced they are screening the entire fight.

"Where can we go? The world has absolutely opened up for Joe," explained Enzo Calzaghe, his father and trainer.

"There are a lot of choices to make when we come back from holiday.

"We have choices after that performance - America, Manchester, Cardiff. There is huge variety. The big fights are there now.

"His legacy has been achieved now, there is nothing more to achieve. He's the main man and they're all after him, they are all coming out."

Antonio Tarver, the IBF light-heavyweight world champion, is one of those who have publicly sounded out Calzaghe, along with former four-weight world champion Jones.

"It's amazing. For so many years I was avoided and all of a sudden everyone wants to fight me," Calzaghe said.

"It's a great position to be in, I'm going to enjoy this win and go on holiday."

He added: "At the start of the year I said I wanted two big fights and I've got one out of the way. Roy Jones (Jr) is a possibility.

"I'll weigh it up but the next fight is going to have to be a super-fight."

Calzaghe will also reflect on what he achieved in the Nevada desert, coming back against Hopkins after getting knocked down in the opening round then contending with what he and many others considered "cheating" when his opponent tired.

"That's what champions do - find a way out to win," he said.

While the Hopkins spectacle was far from pretty, the clash with former world champion and pound for pound best fighter in the world Jones will be much more of a real shoot-out and one not to be missed.

After all, it just might be the last time we get to see arguably the finest post-war British fighter and one of the nation's all-time great sportsmen.