HE might be ready to embark on a film career but Joe Calzaghe still has the goods to be the very best in the ring after a shocking comeback, the Argus can reveal.
The two-weight world champion, who dominated the super middleweight division for ten years and never lost in 46 professional fights, hung up his gloves in February 2009.
He admitted recently that he’d not given a thought to what would be a very lucrative comeback.
Just last month long time foe Carl Froch again called out Calzaghe.
But what he and the rest of the world don’t know is that Joe has finally donned his gloves again and the results were shocking, even to father and trainer Enzo.
The former Ring Magazine trainer of the year, currently back in the pro game as coach to Enzo Maccarinelli, admitted his astonishment at the results when his son did a full training session.
“He had talked for a while about wanting to see how he got on and I’ve got to tell you, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Joe back in the ring, he was absolutely phenomenal,” he said.
“I’m not saying he was not bad considering how long he’d been away, I mean he was absolutely sensational, his hand speed, his power, his movement and everything was all there, it was like picking up exactly where he left off.
“Joe is only 39 years old and when you consider that Bernard Hopkins was 43 when Joe fought him, that says a lot.
“Hopkins is 46 and is arguably producing the greatest displays of his career.
“Joe might not like him but he’s clearly similar in being amazing in terms of his condition and how well he has worn over the years.
“I am telling you without a word of a lie, Joe could come back tomorrow and be the best light heavyweight in the world.
“He is in amazing condition, his reflexes are as great as ever.”
However, before Calzaghe’s legions of fans around the world get too excited, Calzaghe Sr admits any comeback would be against his wishes.
“As soon as we finished Joe asked me what I thought and I had to be honest, I was completely blown away by his performance.
“He shocked me, he really did, but straight away I told him, you were great… but.”
“Joe cut me off and started laughing. ‘Don’t worry dad, I’m not coming back,’ he told me.
“And I was relieved. In my heart of hearts I know he did the right thing going out at the very top and he does too.”
Calzaghe is now focusing on an acting career, having been lined up for two separate movies and a cameo in a TV show with Gavin and Stacy star Ruth Jones.
“Joe is very serious about acting and if he puts his mind to it he can do anything, I’ve always told him that.
“But I am glad he has moved on from boxing even though I promise you, he’s as good as he ever was. Frighteningly good.”
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