I AM thoroughly enjoying life as a boxing promoter, it’s a new chapter for me and one in which I hope I can go some way towards being as successful as my boxing career.

We are just two weeks away from our first proper show, at the Newport Centre on August 21, and it’s a really exciting time.

I had promised for weeks that I would have bigger and better plans for Calzaghe Promotions to announce within these pages and it was great that the Argus was able to reveal our new business partners, Paul Stretford and Freddie Shepherd, the ex-chairman of Newcastle United.

It’s massive for us, crucial to our long-term plans and is exactly what we need to take us to the next level.

Dad and I know boxing, no doubts in my mind there, we’ve been through a lot in 20-odd years and have plenty of thoughts about how promoters should conduct themselves.

However, what we needed was help with the business side of the venture, people who are used to sports management and who can help us to get where we want to go.

Television, down the line, is of course massive and Paul has already had discussions with television executives, highlighting exactly why it is that we needed some people to come on board with us.

We are currently in the process of boosting the ranks a little bit, talking to fighters up and down the country (across Britain, not just in Wales) who we feel we would be in a position to benefit in the long-term.

I certainly know the sport from both sides of the ropes (which is the message I am putting across to prospective fighters) and we could have some exciting names joining us soon.

We are thrilled to be returning to Newport, at the Leisure Centre, it’s been a terrific venue for me in the past and we’ve got a cracking show lined-up.

Obviously the show will mark the return to the ring of Gavin Rees and Bradley Pryce and I am thrilled to see them both back.

Bradley’s coming off the back of a tough defeat to Matthew Hall, but anyone who saw the fight knows that wasn’t Bradley. He’s had well-documented issues with losing weight and now that he’s working with a dietician, it seems to have made all the difference. Ability-wise he’s spot-on and having hammered Anthony Small, who just beat Hall, he should have a fair idea that the last fight was a one off.

Gavin is in fantastic shape, is also working with a dietician and seems to have a real hunger for success (excuse the pun).

He’s been so loyal to my dad and frankly, he is the best British lightweight by a distance.

It’s a much more natural weight for him (he won his world title at light welterweight) and his power and poise will make him a real handful, frankly I’d bet on him to beat John Thaxton tomorrow and he’s about as tough a domestic opponent as Gavin could face.

He’s on a different level and I honestly believe we can get Gavin back to the world title picture.

I have heard very good things about the Newport Centre show put on by Hatton Promotions and congratulations to the Gwent boys who performed so well.

I heard that both Justyn Hugh and Lee Churcher had good wins and, of course, Gary Buckland triumphed as well in the main event.

Obviously things are going well for all of those boys and we are delighted that another from Tony Borg’s St Joseph’s Gym, Matthew Edmonds, will be boxing on the Calzaghe Promotions bill.

I’ve only seen little bits of Matthew, but he was a top amateur and has already fought for a British title, so it’ll be great to see him on the bill.

Things didn’t go so well for Paul Samuels, beaten on points by Danny Butler, and I know Paul told the Argus he’d retire if he lost.

From what I hear he put in a tremendous performance, showing real heart and courage against a top prospect.

Maybe, at 36, it is time for Paul to hang up his gloves. I really can’t advise him, every fighter is different and knows when to call it a day, only your body can really tell you.

But Paul has a lot to offer the sport and has given a lot too. I’ve known Paul for what feels like forever, we go way back and share a birthday too. Whatever he decides to do, I wish him all the best.

So the new football season is almost upon us and I’ve got to say, I feel a bit flat about it, certainly I am not as excited as I would usually be.

The top four in my opinion are probably going to stay intact and it just makes it a little bit boring, certain teams know they are only going to be playing for mid-table at best in the Premier League.

But of course, I will be watching when it starts, but first up is the Championship and below, which kicks off this weekend.

I would like to wish good luck to all the Welsh teams, let’s hope that Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and of course Newport County have a good campaign, some promotions would be very nice!