By Terence Dooley

Joe Calzaghe did it all during his in-ring career, a champion at super-middleweight, Calzaghe then moved up to light-heavyweight to defeat living legends Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones.

Now, though, Joe is enjoying a new lease of life, dipping his toes into the promotional waters, he told campaignseries.co.uk that he has linked up with football agent Paul Stretford and former Newcastle United FC chairman Freddie Shepherd, the dream team will be complimented by Joe’s father, top boxing trainer Enzo Calzaghe.

“Our first show was a success, but it was always my aim to get Paul Stretford my business manager involved because he has the knowledge and expertise and business structure to help us get to the level we want to be at,” said Calzaghe.

“I want to make a big success of this, I have good vibes about it and we have the advantage of already having good fighters in place.  But we want to sign a lot more [fighters] and now we have the means to do that, it’s been a tough 18-months for the boys in the gym because of boxing politics and now we can reward their loyalty.

“I am going to be the promoter, dad will do the training and Paul is in charge of the business side of things.  We’re going to sign talent from all over Britain and we’ve had loads of interest already.  I know what it takes, I’ve seen both sides of the sport, Paul and Freddie want to learn quickly about boxing and I have been through everything inside and outside of the ropes, I will treat my fighters with honesty and integrity.”

Calzaghe is promoting a show in August; former gym mates Gavin Rees and Bradley Pryce will feature, Stretford is working on a TV deal for the event.

Shepherd’s role will be an interesting one, as chairman of Newcastle United he allegedly admitted to ripping off the fans, he also insulted the Newcastle women, and then alienated the club captain, Toon legend Alan Shearer; it will be interesting to see what Freddie can bring to the boxing world, some pre-fight motivation for the fighters perhaps?

Calzaghe’s stature in British boxing history can only bolster the fighters who sign for him, and with Joe’s career safely tucked away, the Welsh legend can work on conquering the promotional scene.

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