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A Quick Chat With: Joe Calzaghe

'I’m actually pretty soft'

Matilda Battersby
Monday 05 July 2010 00:01 BST
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(Getty Images)

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Welsh-born boxer Joe Calzaghe, 38, was Britain’s only undefeated boxing world champion up until his retirement from the sport in February 2009. Famous boxing names KO’d by the combatant, nicknamed the ‘Pride of Wales’, include Chris Eubank, Jeff Lacey, Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. An MBE and CBE holder, Calzaghe also became BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2007. He has two sons and lives in Newport, South Wales.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be... in bed.

A phrase I use far too often... people tell me I say ‘To be honest’ a bit too often. But, to be honest I don’t know why I keep doing it. To be honest. (Laughs)

I wish people would take more notice of... each other.

A common misperception of me is... I think some people see fighters as aggressive people. And I’m not really. It’s just a job. I’m actually pretty soft. People think I’m tough, which is not true. I can be. But I’m normally just quite relaxed.

The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was... to be honest it was becoming a sports personality through boxing. I completely did not see that coming. That’s a pretty obvious one to come straight to mind, but it is so surprising to me.

The most surprising thing about me is... ah, er, ummm can we come back to that one? I can’t really think of that one right now.

I'm not a politician but... right, if I could change something…well…peace then. Peace for the world.

I'm good at... fighting. Loving. (Laughs).

But I'm very bad at... ballroom dancing. I didn’t do very well with that.

The ideal night out is... going to a great restaurant with close family and friends. And with great and wine and food.

In moments of weakness I... eat loads of junk food.

My view about Facebook and Twitter is... I don’t use Twitter. I haven’t got an account. I’ve never used it or Facebook either, so they’re not really for me. But my sons are on it all of time so maybe its time I started using it.

The best age to be is... 38. Because that’s my age.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is... treat people the way you wish to be treated yourself.

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