He wasn't born in Italy. His mother is Welsh. Yet I see the Italian colored "gum-shoe," Italian flag on his trunks, has the nickname "Italian Dragon," and so on.
Does he hate his homeland that much? Help me out...
Why do African Americans consider themselfs African? Why do Italian Americans consider themselfs Italian? Because culture is what makes them unique, but i wouldnt expect white America to know anythin about culture.
It's all about repping your heritage. It's like if you have Irish parents, you stick an Irish flag on your shorts and open your hands out for more money a la Matthew Macklin etc. Covering all bases is always good, and being a world class fighter of Italian dissent is always going to be a good gimmick.
His dads sardinian, but has lived in Wales for years. Joe considers himself more Welsh, but one doesn't just ignore part of their blood. There's just more being made of it because this fights in NY where there's loads of of Italians.
The dragon represents Wales.
Italian Dragon is a way of him representing both his Welsh (Mother) and Italian heritage (Father).
See Welsh flag.
http://www.cc4g.net/cms/downloads/Image/MIH/welshdragon.gif
Whats so strange about that?