BOXING LEGEND ENZO DIES AT 69
LEGENDARY boxing trainer Enzo Calzaghe has passed away at the age of 69, his family have confirmed.
Calzaghe, who had no prior experience in the sport, masterminded his son’s rise to the top and also experienced world-title success with Welsh fighters Gavin Rees and Enzo Maccarinelli.
His family said in a statement: “The family are devastated to have to announce the death of our beloved Enzo. Joe and all of the Calzaghe family would like to thank the public for their wellwishes and kind thoughts, especially the outpouring of support from within the boxing community.
“Enzo led an incredible life both inside and outside of the boxing gym and his loss is a devastating one for the entire Calzaghe family.
“We please ask that people respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
Born in Sardinia in 1949, Calzaghe set up a training camp in a shed in Newbridge, Caerphilly, from which the family’s extraordinary boxing odyssey began.
Calzaghe was in his son’s corner throughout his 10-year reign as world middleweight champion.
Enzo is likely to be remembered as the best boxing coach Britain has ever produced, but it was arguably his love for music that helped bring him to Wales in the first place.
Calzaghe was born and raised in Bancali, a hamlet of Sassari, on the Italian island of Sardinia, but moved to Bedfordshire after the Second World War.
Later, Enzo travelled around Europe, busking to support himself, before ending up in Cardiff.
It was here he would stop off in a local Wimpy and meet his future wife, Jackie. They were married four weeks later.
“I started a job as a cashier in Wimpy and the future Mrs Calzaghe was working as a waitress,” said Enzo in 2006.
It was while the couple lived in Hammersmith in 1972 that Joe was born. They also had two daughters, Sonia and Melissa and moved to Newbridge, where Jacqueline’s family came from.
When Joe was nine, Enzo took him to the nearby gym that would later secure its place in history.
In its pomp, the gym housed three world champions, earning him The Ring Magazine Coach of the Year award in 2007 and an MBE three years later.
Enzo guided Enzo Maccarinelli to the WBO cruiserweight crown and Gavin Rees to the WBA light-welterweight title, while his stable also included former Commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce, former WBU champion Gary Lockett and a young Nathan Cleverly, who became British, European, Commonwealth and world light-heavyweight champion.
Tony Bellew was among the first of the current champions to pay tribute to Calzaghe, tweeting: “What a man! My thoughts are with @RealJoeCalzaghe and his family right now, Your Dad was a master coach who created a style that you both made unbeatable. Salute the legendary Enzo.”
Nathan Cleverly tweeted: “A teacher, a trainer and a great man. He predicted early on in my teen years that I would become a world champion. He taught me so much. “God tests everyone.” God bless, Enzo”
Welsh musician and close friend Jayce Lewis posted a heartfelt message on Facebook: “Devastated beyond belief to find out our Enzo Calzaghe has passed away... A legend that I will NEVER forget! We made music, laughter and crazy times together! Ciao Enzo! Rest well my friend.”
Agent Ian Bird tweeted: “Father and son, they beat the world from a glorified shed in Newbridge. A truly remarkable man and someone who I held in the highest regard.”
Jamie Sanigar tweeted: “From Newbridge Boxing Club to conquering the world - A truly incredible achievement”