Calzaghe pays for ex-wife's 24 hour toy boy too.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 26 Apr 2005, 10:51

50% of all his future earnings??!
I can picture his ex and her new beau wildly cheering Joe on next Saturday in their Team Calzaghe underwear - that's another few grand in the bank for them.

Good interview this, Joe giving a pretty honest account it seems. McRae is an excellent journalist who also penned the brilliant Dark Trade.

Interview with Joe Calzaghe

Donald McRae
Monday April 25, 2005
The Guardian

Joe Calzaghe should be flying. He should be blazing across the sporting skyline with his perfect arc of statistics trailing behind him. In his eighth year as world champion, and unbeaten after 38 fights, Calzaghe will make the 16th successive defence of his WBO super-middleweight title in Germany a week on Saturday. The Welshman is being paid £736,000 to face his mandatory challenger, Mario Veit, a man he knocked out in the first round when they met in 2001.

Calzaghe has not lost a fight for 15 years. His last defeat, as a gifted amateur, happened in 1990 when a trio of East European judges decided that an outclassed Romanian had done enough in remaining on his feet to be gifted the verdict. Calzaghe's sculpted face, meanwhile, remains unblemished and explains why he was recently voted the best-looking man in Wales.

"So Joe," I begin, "why has your career never really taken off?"

Sitting on the blue apron of the ring in his father's Newbridge Boxing Club - with the starkness of an ugly concrete building accentuated by the beauty of the surrounding valleys - Calzaghe shakes his head. The question does not surprise him. "I've asked myself the same thing over and over again. Why am I not a household name in Britain? Why have I not got the recognition I deserve after so long? I think the fact that none of my fights are seen on terrestrial television is significant but, other than that, I don't exactly know. I really don't."

Enzo Calzaghe, Joe's dad and trainer, jabbers darkly of a media conspiracy against the most naturally talented British fighter of his generation. The real reasons are more tangled and have become synonymous with the malaise that marginalises boxing around the world, with the hard-core Hispanic exceptions of countries like Mexico and Puerto Rico. Boxing's raw power has been diminished by corruption and confusion.

As a result Calzaghe's fight record and his long reign - as holder of a lightly regarded belt he won after defeating Chris Eubank in a fierce battle in October 1997 - have been undermined by boxing's sleazy politics and bewildering plethora of titles. It was not always this way.

"When I was 14," Calzaghe recalls, "I told my careers adviser that I was going to be a world champion boxer. Of course she laughed. I wasn't bad academically at school and so she said: 'Seriously, what skills are you going to use to build a career?' I told her I meant it. Instead of revising I was already fighting for ABA titles. I was heading for the world championship.

"That was my dream. It's just turned out different than I expected. You think that after becoming world champion you're going to be a massive superstar with lots of lucrative bouts against great fighters, but that never materialised for me. Boxing has given me a very good lifestyle and I've beaten five former world champions but none have given me the defining fight I need. I still feel like, at the age of 33, I'm waiting for my big chance."

His disillusionment has intensified. While four out of his last five fights have been cancelled or postponed - against a backdrop of ludicrous machinations, injury and personal trauma - his closest British contemporary has been given the kind of challenge for which Calzaghe himself has yearned so long. Ricky Hatton is preparing for the fight of his life, against the formidable light-welterweight Kostya Tszyu in Manchester on June 4. It's a compelling contest that will give the younger British fighter an opportunity to break into the higher echelons of mainstream sport while testing himself against one of the few masters of modern boxing.

It is still impossible, however, to know how good Calzaghe may, or may not, be in the ring while he trains aimlessly for bouts against journeymen like Veit and Brian Magee, who was meant to be his latest opponent. allegedly, Calzaghe's promoter, withdrew him from that contest 36 hours before the bell was due to ring in Belfast last month after the WBO claimed to be unable to sanction it as a title defence without the consent of Peter Kohl, Veit's promoter. It was yet another example of boxing's unending and alienating chaos.

Two further title fights were cancelled last year when Calzaghe pulled out with back and hand injuries. The most damaging occurred in June when he pronounced himself unfit to meet Glen Johnson, the Jamaican who went on to become the world's dominant light- heavyweight, and the Boxer of the Year, by knocking out the great Roy Jones Jr and beating Antonio Tarver.

The fact that Calzaghe called for a postponement so close to the Johnson fight fuelled rumours that he was struggling amid the collapse of his marriage - Calzaghe was arrested at his former home after his wife Mandy called the police in the days following his withdrawal from the Johnson bout.

"I had a really good week then, didn't I?" he smiles thinly. "I topped it off by getting done for speeding a day or two later.

"It was horrible because I was ready for Johnson. My weight was good and I'd trained hard. Then in the last 30 seconds of my final 12 rounds of sparring I suffered a back spasm. The timing was terrible.

"But fate moves in mysterious ways. If I had beaten Johnson he would not have fought Jones or Tarver and people would have said I'd beaten an unknown journeyman rather than someone we now know is a very good fighter. So if I beat him later this year I'll get 10 times the respect."

Despite Johnson's insistence that he now has no interest in the fight, Calzaghe attempts to remain upbeat. "I've got a lot of faith in Frank [Warren]. He got Hatton his fight and he's chasing the same for me. I'd fancy my chances because Johnson's short and a come-forward fighter. I'd pick him off with fast combinations. So, yeah, that's the fight I really want."

Calzaghe laughs bleakly. "That's the irony. My ideal fight for a long time was Roy Jones and then he got beat by Tarver. I was then chasing Tarver and he got beat by Johnson. Now we're chasing Johnson again so that probably means Tarver will win their rematch and I'll be back to square one."

That dearth of meaningful fights, combined with his domestic turmoil, has led to accusations that Calzaghe has lost his way. He has fought only three times in the past two years and admits that his most recent performance - when he was knocked down before overcoming a limited spoiler called Kabary Salem six months ago - "was my worst in the ring. Mentally, I was all over the place. I've seen the tape and it's embarrassing."

With the bitter legal battle surrounding his divorce set to rumble on there is a danger that Calzaghe could be diverted further.

"It's been incredibly tough and I'm still going through the worst. Unfortunately for me her lawyers have dragged up the Ray Parlour case. According to that [legal precedent] your ex-wife not only gets half your money but half your future earnings as well.

"It just doesn't make sense. If I'm made to pay her 50% of all my future purses then what's the point of boxing? The tax man already takes the other 50%. I think it's disgraceful. She's keeping her 24-hour-a-day toyboy in the house and he's actually given up work. So I'm paying for him too. It's ridiculous."

Calzaghe's young girlfriend accompanies him to the gym in yet another sign of the irreversible breakdown of his marriage. "I've been with Joanna about a year and she's been really great and supportive. But I'm not a steady 50-grand-a-week Premiership footballer like Ray Parlour. I'm a boxer and every fight could be my last. You just have to remember Michael Watson to know what boxing can do to you. So for me to have to hand over 50% of my future earnings makes me wonder if I can carry on. I don't really want to think about if she gets her way."

This is hardly the sort of serene preparation a fighter needs before travelling abroad to defend his title, even if it's against a fighter he once crushed. Calzaghe acknowledges the risk. "I'm training for Veit as if I'm fighting a different man. Four years on he's much improved after 15 successive wins. He stopped Charles Brewer last time out and, after Eubank, Brewer gave me my toughest fight. Brewer's shopworn now but Veit still put in a good performance. You also know the home-town reputation of judges and referees in Germany. So I'm going to have to dominate him again."

The prospect of fighting Veit, even in Germany, is a desolate reminder of how much Calzaghe's career has stagnated despite his undoubted ability and the exhilarating way in which he won his title. For all his pompous flaws there were half-a-dozen nights in the ring when Chris Eubank proved the depths of his fighting heart - not least against Calzaghe. Eubank's earlier gripping battles against Watson and Nigel Benn - screened live on ITV before audiences in excess of 10 million - had captured British boxing at its zenith in the early 1990s.

"I watched those fights as a kid and they were magical.They were excellent fighters and as good as each other so that produced some tremendous fights. I loved Eubank because he was this incredible character and a great fighter with his back to the wall. That's why, when I fought him, he gave me some of the fear you need to inspire you. I wasn't afraid of Eubank, I was more frightened of losing."

Eubank might have been near the end of his own career but, against Calzaghe, he dredged up the same resolve that sustained him against Watson and Benn.

"It was a draining night," Calzaghe remembers. "Everything I'd dreamed of came down to me beating Eubank. I had no money and we had a kid and so I put incredible pressure on myself.

"I knocked him down in the first 15 seconds but Eubank fought back. At the end of the first round I was knackered. After three rounds he started smiling at me and I felt exhausted. I had to dig deep because it was a war.

"I really thought that win was going to be the start of something special but, since then, I've been looking for that same kind of fear. That's when you feel most alive as a fighter."

He smiles sadly when I reflect again on his missed opportunities against fighters like Jones - who, at least in private, admitted his deep respect for Calzaghe. "That's the kind of acknowledgement I've always wanted," he says as he looks back into the empty ring. "I've always wanted to define myself in there because it's who I am. I'm a fighter. I don't want to end my career thinking that my toughest and sweetest fight was the night I beat Chris Eubank. That was eight years ago. I want to feel that same fear again. I want a real fight."

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 26 Apr 2005, 10:58

4 of his last 5 fights cancelled or postponed, and he wants sympathy?

fornicating twat.

Why on earth would Johnson want to fight him again, he was well out of pocket when Sicknote pulled the plug last time. Back spasms my arse he wasnt properly prepared. Considering his track record of cancellations who knows what to believe.

Hurry the fornicate up and retire.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 26 Apr 2005, 11:06

I think it is absolutely scandalous that someone should be entitled to 50% of your future earnings, for fornicating what? It fornicating makes me sick, what a chiselling bitch!

I don't even think she deserves half of his past earnings, it's Calzaghe who took the punches in there not her, if she wants a cushy life, go get a bloody job!

Why do blokes always get taken to the cleaners in these cases, when was the last time anyone heard of a bloke getting money off of a woman when they separate?

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 26 Apr 2005, 11:17

That scary spice girl had to give her husband Jimmy Gulzar or whatever his name was a large pay-off, its rare but it does happen, just so happens most of the highly paid people are men.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 26 Apr 2005, 11:23

I also think men are less grasping and tawdry. When a woman gets done over in a relationship, she takes it out on the bloke and knows that hurting him financially is the best and most possible way to exact revenge.

Plus, women go more for men with money, men don't give a shit, they just want a nice pert attractive woman who is a laugh.

No way should someone be entitled to someone's future earnings, that's fornicating slavery! Sure, money for the kids or whatever, but how much money do you need for a kid. All this bollocks about how they helped build their business, fornicate off! I suppose Calzaghe's ex-wife was training him on the pads was she?

leforge · Post by **leforge** » 26 Apr 2005, 11:27

Well if wants to improve his fight status. He should knock Veit out then have a fight in July before fighting Lacy/Reid November.

I think it bang out of order that she entitled to half of his future earnings.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 26 Apr 2005, 11:27

jamesmcdonnell wrote: I suppose Calzaghe's ex-wife was training him on the pads was she?

Something similar from what I have heard

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 26 Apr 2005, 11:39

What?

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 26 Apr 2005, 12:09

Thats fucked up .50%!!!!! Women have it so good. Now she gets to sit on her ass and spend the dough that her ex husband earns getting punched in the face, bet her toyboy is loving it. I do feel sorry for Calzaghe after reading that.

WOMEN ARE THE DEVIL! And we fellas have to work for the shag. Girls get offered dick every day! When we get a piece its like 'this is my lucky day'!

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 26 Apr 2005, 12:30

Well he shouldnt have left his mrs for some young scrubber then should he?

Now she's got a man in and he doesnt like it. Should have kept his dick in his pants in the first place!

lvlarc · Post by **lvlarc** » 26 Apr 2005, 12:33

2 Words .............. Prenuptial Agreement

bigped · Post by **bigped** » 26 Apr 2005, 12:44

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think it is absolutely scandalous that someone should be entitled to 50% of your future earnings, for fornicating what? It fornicating makes me sick, what a chiselling bitch!

I don't even think she deserves half of his past earnings, it's Calzaghe who took the punches in there not her, if she wants a cushy life, go get a bloody job!

Why do blokes always get taken to the cleaners in these cases, when was the last time anyone heard of a bloke getting money off of a woman when they separate?

Its a total fornicating joke mate, what a loads of pish, i think joe got it wrong by saying tax man takes half then his wife takes half, what will happen is if he gets paid 1millions, tax man takes 400 grand leaves 600, then 300 each, which is a fornicating joke, no matter what anyone says joe has always kept in good shape over these years think of all the early runs, sparring and fights and to give her and her daft bf half from now on, so they can sit in there house shagging with him fighting veit in the background fornicate that id quit.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 26 Apr 2005, 13:07

Lets not jump the gun, that is how much money she is after no agreement has been reached and no rulings made. He is simply going by the Ray Parlour case.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 26 Apr 2005, 13:17

nickd wrote:Well he shouldnt have left his mrs for some young scrubber then should he?

Now she's got a man in and he doesnt like it. Should have kept his dick in his pants in the first place!

Oh right, so she is entitled to half as punishment then is she? what bollocks!

I really hate it during court cases when they say 'as I've become accustomed to this lifestyle I want x amount.'

Well, I used to earn good money in the games industry, now I'm working for shit, so I guess I should be able to sue my company for the distress of working for less money now after being made redundant?

dve3333 · Post by **dve3333** » 26 Apr 2005, 13:27

lvlarc_uk wrote:2 Words .............. Prenuptial Agreement

Is that a Seinfeld fan?? :P

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 26 Apr 2005, 13:28

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
nickd wrote:Well he shouldnt have left his mrs for some young scrubber then should he?

Now she's got a man in and he doesnt like it. Should have kept his dick in his pants in the first place!
Oh right, so she is entitled to half as punishment then is she? what bollocks!

I really hate it during court cases when they say 'as I've become accustomed to this lifestyle I want x amount.'

Well, I used to earn good money in the games industry, now I'm working for shit, so I guess I should be able to sue my company for the distress of working for less money now after being made redundant?

I'm not saying she deserves half at all. But he made a rod for his own back sticking his cock in anything that moved - now he wants sympathy? The blokes a complete pudendum.

liamlion · Post by **liamlion** » 26 Apr 2005, 14:07

lvlarc_uk wrote:2 Words .............. Prenuptial Agreement

Unfortunately such agreements are not valid in the English and Welsh legal system (this effectively covers Scotland and N. Ireland also).

Eric the Viking · Post by **Eric the Viking** » 26 Apr 2005, 14:48

MightyWarrior wrote:"So Joe," I begin, "why has your career never really taken off?"

Sitting on the blue apron of the ring in his father's Newbridge Boxing Club - with the starkness of an ugly concrete building accentuated by the beauty of the surrounding valleys - Calzaghe shakes his head. The question does not surprise him. "I've asked myself the same thing over and over again. Why am I not a household name in Britain? Why have I not got the recognition I deserve after so long? I think the fact that none of my fights are seen on terrestrial television is significant but, other than that, I don't exactly know. I really don't."

Perhaps because you spend more time talking and admiring your stunning Italo-Welsh good looks in the mirror than fighting?

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 26 Apr 2005, 15:38

I'm not a great fan of Calzaghe but its disgusting that his wife should get so much of his earnings... 50% of his earnings up to now is bad enough but to rope in his future eanings too is scandalous! its just not right!. Doesn't sound like she's exactly a nun herself, bet she's popular with the local postie, windowcleaner and milkman eh!.....

8)

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 26 Apr 2005, 16:10

Veit better hope he doesn't bear any slight resemblance to the ex Mrs Calzaghe's toy boy, otherwise he's out of there inside 2 minutes this time.

F****ing disgrace

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 26 Apr 2005, 16:59

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think it is absolutely scandalous that someone should be entitled to 50% of your future earnings, for fornicating what? It fornicating makes me sick, what a chiselling bitch!

I don't even think she deserves half of his past earnings, it's Calzaghe who took the punches in there not her, if she wants a cushy life, go get a bloody job!

Why do blokes always get taken to the cleaners in these cases, when was the last time anyone heard of a bloke getting money off of a woman when they separate?

Do blokes always get taken to the cleaners though?

I think the first time a woman has done really well was the recent case involving footballer Ray Parlour.

Tantum · Post by **Tantum** » 26 Apr 2005, 17:06

Calzaghe should just go beat the living shit out of them...

See, if he goes to jail, they won't get any money, so chances are they won't press charges.

bigped · Post by **bigped** » 26 Apr 2005, 17:09

Matchfixer wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think it is absolutely scandalous that someone should be entitled to 50% of your future earnings, for fornicating what? It fornicating makes me sick, what a chiselling bitch!

I don't even think she deserves half of his past earnings, it's Calzaghe who took the punches in there not her, if she wants a cushy life, go get a bloody job!

Why do blokes always get taken to the cleaners in these cases, when was the last time anyone heard of a bloke getting money off of a woman when they separate?
Do blokes always get taken to the cleaners though?

I think the first time a woman has done really well was the recent case involving footballer Ray Parlour.

Has joe got kids?? can anyone tell me about parlour case was their kids invovled??

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 26 Apr 2005, 17:27

Tantum wrote:Calzaghe should just go beat the living shit out of them...

See, if he goes to jail, they won't get any money, so chances are they won't press charges.

I'm sure he's sparred with her in the past. Didn't she have to get the old bill round there just before the cancelled Johnson fight?

Boxingmad · Post by **Boxingmad** » 26 Apr 2005, 17:51

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I also think men are less grasping and tawdry. When a woman gets done over in a relationship, she takes it out on the bloke and knows that hurting him financially is the best and most possible way to exact revenge.

Plus, women go more for men with money, men don't give a shit, they just want a nice pert attractive woman who is a laugh.

No way should someone be entitled to someone's future earnings, that's fornicating slavery! Sure, money for the kids or whatever, but how much money do you need for a kid. All this bollocks about how they helped build their business, fornicate off! I suppose Calzaghe's ex-wife was training him on the pads was she?

Absolutely. If you aren't famous, a millionaire or look like a supermodel, then you haven't got a hope in hell. If you are lucky enough to bag a fit gal, it's only a matter of time before she's ditched you for the next BBD (bigger better deal).

It's always us blokes that get done over.

Calzaghe pays for ex-wife's 24 hour toy boy too.

Calzaghe pays for ex-wife's 24 hour toy boy too.

Re: Calzaghe pays for ex-wife's 24 hour toy boy too.