By Mark Vester
Enzo Calzaghe says light heavyweight contender Bernard Hopkins is pushing Golden Boy Promotions to get him the rematch. On Tuesday there was a rumble overseas when Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told media members he was trying to make a rematch between Hopkins and the retired Joe Calzaghe. Joe won a split decision over Hopkins in 2008. The Welsh fighter retired early last year.
Enzo told the South Wales Argus that he won't support his son's return if the motivating factor is a big payday by going for a Hopkins rematch.
"There is no point speculating as everyone is doing, the only people with the answers are Joe and myself, we are a team. I am categorically against Joe coming back just for the money, how much money does one person need? - Enzo said.
“The talk about Bernard Hopkins is just that, talk. Hopkins has a desire to fight Joe, an ambition, because it hurts him that he ‘lost to a white boy.’ If Joe says: ‘Dad, I want to return for a massive payday’ I wouldn’t be interested. But I doubt he’d do that anyway. If he was to return it would have to be because he believes in his heart that he still has more to show, more wonderful performances left in him."
Enzo has advised his son to stay retired, but if Joe comes back to chase the 49-0 undefeated record of heavyweight boxing legend Rocky Marciano - Enzo will support it.
“It would have to be to write a new chapter in his career. He said he didn’t want to chase Marciano’s record, but that is a reason, a motivator, a factor for fighting on. If he’s ready to commit to that, that’s perhaps a different story," Enzo said.
“The Calzaghe family don’t want Joe to fight anymore. But if it’s in his heart, if it is what Joe truly wants and he tells me the reasons why, then things are different. My advice to Joe as a father is stay retired, what’s the point in coming back? My advice to him as a trainer is exactly the same."
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