By James Blears
World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman is urging Joe Calzaghe to confront and KO his cocaine problem before it becomes an addiction.
Following a newspaper investigation probing into his life, Joe has formally and publically apologized for occasional cocaine use, since he retired, undefeated from the ring last year. He also referred to the boredom factor, after hanging up his gloves.
Don Jose is advising: “I strongly, respectfully and lovingly recommend to Joe Calzaghe- one of the greatest fighters of modern times, to get a therapy. Even if he’s not yet addicted, he needs a therapy, because there is no worse enemy than drug addiction.”
The WBC has just granted undefeated Venezuelan fighter Edwin Valero, Champion in Recess Status, following a decision by a judge in Venezuela to send him into rehab for six months to deal with his alcohol problem.
Don Jose has offered his support and is recommending that former champion Carlos Zarate, go to visit Edwin to offer first hand advice. Following his hugely successful career, Zarate, who was also a KO king, became addicted to alcohol and drugs. The WBC sent him to rehab for almost a year to conquer his addictions. He now works for the WBC, and also trains his son Carlos Jr, who’s a promising and hard hitting Lightweight prospect. But the substance abuse has taken its toll on Carlos Zarate. Last year he suffered a heart attack, and had to undergo heart surgery. But he’s since made a remarkable recovery.
Don Jose is also advising Joe Calzaghe to find a new focus in life, to challenge him and pull him out of the boredom doldrums, now that he’s finished fighting. He stated: “The problem with boxers is that they only learn boxing and they believe this will be for the rest of their lives. When they retire, they find nothing else. We need to bring a kind of opportunity after boxing."
“He’s a smart guy and a hero, who defeated the best of the best, and he must keep that in mind. Drugs would be a defeat.”
