Joe Calzaghe's Training Routine

[Seamus]

He was arguably the best conditioned fighter of the last quarter century, and he didn't seem to know the meaning of the word tired. More than once, opponents thought "There's no way he can keep this pace up for 12 rds" only to find out he sometimes actually increased it. So what exactly did Calzaghe do that put him above the other guys who also trained hard for fights ? I've read about him really focused on punch counts in training, along with a lot of hill running, including sprints up hills.

[Tomasino]

He was arguably the best conditioned fighter of the last quarter century, and he didn't seem to know the meaning of the word tired. More than once, opponents thought "There's no way he can keep this pace up for 12 rds" only to find out he sometimes actually increased it. So what exactly did Calzaghe do that put him above the other guys who also trained hard for fights ? I've read about him really focused on punch counts in training, along with a lot of hill running, including sprints up hills.

From what I've seen and read it was old school style conditioning. Running up hills cross country, running up and down steep flights of stairs. Lots of intense pad work and tons of sparring.

[Counter-puncher]

He was arguably the best conditioned fighter of the last quarter century, and he didn't seem to know the meaning of the word tired. More than once, opponents thought "There's no way he can keep this pace up for 12 rds" only to find out he sometimes actually increased it. So what exactly did Calzaghe do that put him above the other guys who also trained hard for fights ? I've read about him really focused on punch counts in training, along with a lot of hill running, including sprints up hills.

From what I've seen and read it was old school style conditioning. Running up hills cross country, running up and down steep flights of stairs. Lots of intense pad work and tons of sparring.

I was fairly sure I read that he didn't spar much, at least in his 30s, due to problems with his hands

the other thing I'd say more on is his intensity, with barking (mad) Enzo holding the pads or setting the exercises, it seemed to me that everything he did in training was done very intensely, high pace no rests, and so he wasn't used to taking 'breathers' in training which fed into his stamina in fights (albeit i wonder if training at near-max intensity in that way wasn't great for staying injury-free)

by way of contrast, as someone said the other day about watching Canelo train, even hitting the pads or bag, he seemed to be in a rythmn of a quick flurry then a quick rest, which I am sure Enzo wouldn't allow, and which obviously also feeds into the tempo he fights at

[Tomasino]

I just remember reading that Clev had sparred him loads and sure Pryce as well.

Canelo defo trains for breathers. Throws three full power shots and then backs away from the pads for 5-8 second nds.

[Counter-puncher]

Canelo defo trains for breathers. Throws three full power shots and then backs away from the pads for 5-8 second nds.

fvcking sh1t habit to get into/ for your trainer to allow you to get into

[Tomasino]

Canelo defo trains for breathers. Throws three full power shots and then backs away from the pads for 5-8 second nds.

fvcking sh1t habit to get into/ for your trainer to allow you to get into

His trainers seem like cheerleaders...this is on instagram right enough so might not be his real training.

[vidal]

He kept lean and didn't over do the conditioning and muscle mass which meant that his body was very economical.

Relied on his boxing ability and timing rather than heavy punching, which also helped lengthen his career with his hand trouble.

Strong core and strong legs too.

Didn't seem to suffer nervous energy loss.

Boxed at a consistent pace which, again his boxing ability largely allowed him to dictate.

[cfang]

Jc looked like an old school fighter in terms of physique. Lacey looked like a bodybuilder next to him but ofc it counted for nothing. Jc no excess muscle and trained for flexibility, timing and stamina rather than raw power. Many should take a leaf out of his book.

[cfang]

Lol ditto Vidal

[cfang]

Reminds me of greb who was also purely trained for stamina. He looked strong but not like an adonis.

[Tomasino]

Reminds me of greb who was also purely trained for stamina. He looked strong but not like an adonis.

Strong arms back and shoulders but no chest, built like guys who work on the roads/chain gang.

[Kalan]

Gene Tunney said there were 3 keys to his great endurance and roadwork was the most important key... He advocated long hard runs to strengthen the heart and blood flow. Don't have running partners unless they're extremely fast and keep their mouths shut for the whole distance.

Running with other boxers slows you down.. All you do is jabber away for 5 or 10 miles and you're really jogging not running.. You won't concentrate on your breathing or pace and it takes an hour or 2 to cover the distance.. If you run at a snail's pace you'll fight at a snail's pace.. The fans won't be thrilled to death.. If you run at a hard pace you'll fight at a hard pace.. When your opponent tries to rest and slow the pace, don't cooperate.. That's where hard running and wind sprints pay off -- when you punch an exhausted opponent from ring post to ring post and finish him off.

Diet is he 2nd key, and Tunney advocated a variety of vegetables, lean meats, eggs, beans, and nuts as the base of the diet -- and limiting the consumption of whole grains to 30% of the calories to lean out your body mass as much as possible for greater strength, speed, and efficiency. This is a different strategy than distance runners who advocate "carb loading" -- but they don't have to punch people around a ring in addition to fast footwork.

The 3rd key he pointed to is boxing mastery.. Missing punches saps your strength -- but getting hit saps your strength and nervous energy even more.. Having superior form with your stance, balance, footwork, feints, jabs, power shots, combinations, blocking, parrying, slipping, ducking, rolling, countering, and controlling the distance, ring space, and pace will allow you to outlast a boxer who's in even better cardio condition than you are.

But I would say strength is an additional last key.. The gloves seem lighter when you're physically stronger. Harder driven, sharper punches take less effort to throw.. And the physically stronger you are, a KO punch that might finish another boxer may not finish you off... You might beat the count, work your way back into the fight, and eventually blow your exhausted opponent away with a brutal 11th round barrage.

[Dalley Moran]

Hi there do you remember when gene Tunney refereed a bout in Martin place after the 2nd world war. 1945. It was called the victory home rally

[lazboy]

He was arguably the best conditioned fighter of the last quarter century, and he didn't seem to know the meaning of the word tired. More than once, opponents thought "There's no way he can keep this pace up for 12 rds" only to find out he sometimes actually increased it. So what exactly did Calzaghe do that put him above the other guys who also trained hard for fights ? I've read about him really focused on punch counts in training, along with a lot of hill running, including sprints up hills.

From what I've seen and read it was old school style conditioning. Running up hills cross country, running up and down steep flights of stairs. Lots of intense pad work and tons of sparring.

I was fairly sure I read that he didn't spar much, at least in his 30s, due to problems with his hands

the other thing I'd say more on is his intensity, with barking (mad) Enzo holding the pads or setting the exercises, it seemed to me that everything he did in training was done very intensely, high pace no rests, and so he wasn't used to taking 'breathers' in training which fed into his stamina in fights (albeit i wonder if training at near-max intensity in that way wasn't great for staying injury-free)

by way of contrast, as someone said the other day about watching Canelo train, even hitting the pads or bag, he seemed to be in a rythmn of a quick flurry then a quick rest, which I am sure Enzo wouldn't allow, and which obviously also feeds into the tempo he fights at

Yea I saw a doco on him and remember them (Cal and Enzo) saying he didnt spar much, did plenty of pad work and incorporated rhythm into the workouts as Enzo was a musician. Also, later in his career, its gotta be said he focussed on accumulation/output rather power, knowing his limitations (his hands).

[Kalan]

Hi there do you remember when gene Tunney refereed a bout in Martin place after the 2nd world war. 1945. It was called the victory home rally

No I don't remember that. He was a veteran of the 1st World War and the Light Heavyweight Champion of the Expeditionary Force. He was already planning on beating Dempsey long before Dempsey became Heavyweight Champion. Tunney was so certain Dempsey would be the next champion. Tunney was proud of his military background and called himself The Fighting Marine.

[Dalley Moran]

I've got a wonderful photo of Tunney as the ref in full military uniform. Between an exhibition bout featuring my dear old pop Dally Moran and Alfy Fenwick in the middle of Marin place. Tunney has even signed the photo. Priceless..Would anyone be interested in seeing it?

[littlepug]

I've got a wonderful photo of Tunney as the ref in full military uniform. Between an exhibition bout featuring my dear old pop Dally Moran and Alfy Fenwick in the middle of Marin place. Tunney has even signed the photo. Priceless..Would anyone be interested in seeing it?

of course mate get it on here !

[Bodyshot3]

Properly schooled in the basics from a young age, some great reflexes and a top attitude all helped.....

.....but a big part of Joe's success was his solitary training regime and overall lifestyle. His book No ordinary Joe is a top read and also insightful.

Warren wanted Joe to become a 'London fighter' - living and training in the capital - but Joe felt that he'd get distracted and although he thought his 'hut in the woods' was a total dump (which it was) and his Dad Enzo drove him half round the bend...he still realised that the very spartan regime kept him super sharp and fit and when he was there the only thing to do was to train like hell anyway.

Joe also liked being 'off the radar' down in Newbridge....nobody checking him out, reporting back and no media/sponsor work to do. Just a place where he could get himself as fit as hell because there was sod all else to do. The regime came into its own as well when Joe's hands did not allow him to be the pure puncher he started out as.

[Kalan]

Calzaghe's dad Enzo never boxed... And I think Joe was his first boxing trainee, so he cut his teeth on him.

He was Joe's chief trainer throughout his career and that's probably why he led with his face and didn't have a proper jab, or stance, or left counter.. Calz was basically a brawler.. He would get close and trade punches -- even with short, squat Jeff Lacy he went inside.. He had a great chin because Byron Mitchell nailed him perfectly as they traded bombs and Mitchell decked Joe with a brutal swing -- and Kessler nailed him with a couple really hard uppercuts that he ducked right into in close.. He ducked into Roy's right hook when Jones decked him.. I watched on 24/7 when they wrapped Joe's hands for training and it was really atrocious.. I couldn't help but laugh.. One of the worst wrap jobs I've ever seen on a championship caliber fighter.. No wonder his hands went.

[Caractacus]

I bet when Joe Calzaghe wakes up in the morning he still has to run six miles a day(uphill) just out of habit .

[Counter-puncher]

I bet when Joe Calzaghe wakes up in the morning he still has to run six miles a day(uphill) just out of habit .

When he doesn't decide to nose some Chang off a hookers tits anyway

[Tomasino]

I bet when Joe Calzaghe wakes up in the morning he still has to run six miles a day(uphill) just out of habit .

When he doesn't decide to nose some Chang off a hookers tits anyway

Alternate days

[Counter-puncher]

I bet when Joe Calzaghe wakes up in the morning he still has to run six miles a day(uphill) just out of habit .

When he doesn't decide to nose some Chang off a hookers tits anyway

Alternate days

That's how I try to work it

[Tomasino]

When he doesn't decide to nose some Chang off a hookers tits anyway

Alternate days

That's how I try to work it

#disciplined

[Caractacus]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9VLH6kian8