by James Slater – At the tail end of last year, Welshman Joe Calzaghe told his fans he would have a good think over the Christmas holidays about if he will fight again or retire at 46-0. We are now well into January, and “The Pride Of Wales” has still to make his mind up. However, in an interview with The Daily Star newspaper, the former super-middleweight and current light-heavyweight ruler gave the strongest indication yet that the choice he will make will be one of fighting on – for one final, “farewell” fight.
Clearly, Calzaghe, like many other fighters before him, is finding it hard to say goodbye to the sport he has lived and breathed for so many years. Joe admits he likes the idea of a final fight, especially if it were fought at The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
“It has got to be the right fight for me,” Joe told The Daily Star. “It would be an awesome occasion though [fighting at The Millennium Stadium], and I know I would love it. It’s a tough one, because I’m 37 in March, so I’m not exactly a spring chicken, but yes, of course I dream about boxing in front of 60,000 at The Millennium Stadium.
“I don’t want to be one of those fighters who says he is going to retire and then six months down the line they come back and they do that again and again. When I say I am going I want to be gone for good. I want it to be final.”
Even before now, a number of boxing people have brought up the fact that Calzaghe is within reaching distance of emulating, or even surpassing, the legendary Rocky Marciano’s famous 49-0 pro record. Joe admits that this, too, is something he has thought about – and the Welshman knows if he were to match or improve on Rocky’s numbers he would have an even more special place in boxing history.
“Although Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0 is so close, being realistic I don’t think it’s an option,” Calzaghe said. “I don’t think 50-0 is possible, especially as I can only fight twice a year these days as my left hand takes so long to heal.”
So, a further four fights is out of the question for the soon-to-be 37-year-old – but one more? This may well happen in 2009. But who against? Joe says it would have to be “the right fight,” therefore we can almost certainly cross fellow Brit and WBC super-middleweight champ Carl Froch off the list. These two simply do not like each other and Joe has said he will not give “The Cobra” a big payday. Maybe Chad Dawson will get his wish, or maybe Calzaghe will opt to fight someone we least expect him to. IF he actually goes ahead and lets temptation get the better of him, that is.