Joe Calzaghe speaks retirement, talks about potential acting career
Today marks the second anniversary of former British boxing champion Joe Calzaghe’s retirement from the sport. When asked for the occasion if a return to the ring was imminent, the flattered fighter distinguished himself from others with a firm ‘no.’
“A comeback is not going to happen,” Calzaghe, a father of two, said to the BBC. “I feel contended and blessed to come out of 15 years as a professional boxer unbeaten, not smashed up and I have all my faculties in place. I've made a promise to my mum,
I made a promise to my kids and I made a promise to myself,” he said with regards to his retirement.
Calzaghe retired from professional boxing after defeating the legendary Roy Jones Jr. in 2008. He won a unanimous decision in the fight, and preserved his undefeated record to wide acclaim.
Calzaghe admits that at times it is hard to live without boxing, but revealed that there is plenty he does not miss about the sport.
"I don't miss boxing, I don't miss losing two-and-a-half stone before a fight, I don't miss getting punched in the head," Calzaghe said.
In early 2010 Calzaghe was exposed by News of the World for taking cocaine occasionally after retiring from boxing. He apologized to his fan base and blamed his habits on a lack of entertainment to keep him busy following retirement.
The situation mirrors that of fallen fighter Ricky Hatton, who was similarly exposed some months ago by friend and fellow boxing champion Emma Bowe. Hatton was filmed snorting cocaine and universally lampooned by the media. He recently wrapped up a month
in rehab, and hopes to make amends to friends and family.
Calzaghe insists in the future he would like to get involved in professional acting.
"It took time for me to adapt to life after boxing but I feel settled now. I'm doing acting lessons and have a few TV projects in the pipeline and am reading two or three film scripts.”
He continued: "I want to take acting seriously. I don't want to a clichéd hard man either as I don't look like a typical boxing tough guy."
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