Latest news with #JoeCalzaghe
BBC News
14-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hickey embraces 'honour' of Calzaghe comparison
Scottish boxing hope Sam Hickey is embracing the "great honour" of being compared to a young Joe Calzaghe, but intends to make "a name for myself" by building on his impressive start as a a glittering amateur career, including a gold medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Dundonian middleweight has won all three of his fights since joining the senior ranks last has been his impact, former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson revealed Hickey reminds him of former undefeated world super-middleweight champion Calzaghe."He is like the best British fighter we have ever had," said Hickey, 25 of Calzaghe. "You have got maybe three fighters who really standout in British boxing - Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis and Carl Froch and to be compared to Calzaghe is crazy but that is a great honour."It gets eyes on you because people think, 'what is he talking about, Johnny Nelson?' I don't necessarily need the comparison because I am going to make a name for myself and do good things hopefully." 'Tannadice or Dens would be amazing' Hickey's most recent victory was against Harley Hodgetts at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium last Saturday."It has really given me aspirations to want to do this in my home city or anywhere in Scotland in the future doing big arena shows," he said."I know years ago there was boxing at Dens Park, with 20,000 people watching. Tannadice or Dens would be amazing."Hickey is trained by Robert McCracken in Sheffield."Rob is a straight shooter and he doesn't blow any smoke or anything," Hickey explained. "He just keeps it straight, he is a really tough man to please so when I tell people that they say, 'that is good, that is what you want'."I want to be in big fights, world title fights and box at the highest level. Also, I want to make money and seal my future when I finish boxing because I have been doing this since I was nine years old and it is the toughest game."Another son of Dundee, Dick McTaggart, passed away earlier this year, aged 89, and Hickey described the 1956 Olympic lightweight gold medal winner as an "inspiration". McTaggart also earned a Commonwealth gold two years later."He did an article after the Commonwealth Games saying how proud he was and stuff like that that I had won the Commonwealths," said Hickey."It is great to be from the same city as probably the greatest amateur boxer Britain has ever had and emulating just a small bit of his success is great."
South Wales Argus
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Joe Calzaghe the Italian Dragon may fight American Youtuber
53-year-old Joe Calzaghe the longest reigning super middleweight world champion in boxing history has said he'll come out of retirement to fight 28-year-old You Tuber and ex-Disney star Jake Paul given a decent cash deal. The Italian Dragon hailing from Pentwynmawr, near Newbridge told Boxing News: 'Would I get in the ring with Jake Paul? Let's say for £10 million. 'That would keep me happy. As long as I don't have to make weight for the fight, give me about four or five months' training and I'll be good!' Joe Calzaghe is widely regarded as an 'undefeated boxer.' The Italian Dragon Joe Calzaghe undefeated Welsh champion teases he'd fight You Tuber Jake Paul (Image: NQ) He retired in 2009 with a record of 46 wins and 0 losses and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014. Jake Paul on the other hand has been boxing since for about five years. His professional boxing record stands at 11 wins and one loss. He has taken on the likes of Tommy Fury and Mike Tyson. His main YouTube channel has over 20 million subscribers.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
What is The York Hall, the breeding ground of British boxing?
Small halls are the lifeblood of the British boxing scene, local venues that enable fighters to take the first steps into a professional career. Boxers will have fond memories of their nearest small hall, often making their debuts in ballrooms or leisure centres in their towns they grew up in. But no other small hall captures the imagination like York Hall, a 1,250-capacity venue in east London. Catch all the latest boxing action on DAZN York Hall - breeding ground for world champions Last year, 37 boxing events were staged at the leisure centre, showcasing just why so many fighters get a chance to box at The York Hall. It would be far easier to name the notable British fighters that have not fought at York Hall than reel off the stars who passed through Bethnal Green. Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, Joe Calzaghe, Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, Carl Froch, Alan Minter, and John H. Stracey show that world champions across multiple eras have visited York Hall in the early stages of their careers. First opened in 1929 by the Duke and Duchess of York, explaining its name, York Hall was like many other early boxing venues, in the sense that it was never designed with boxing in mind. Originally it housed baths for working-class locals to use; promoters and boxers realised you could place boards on top and construct a canvas to fight in. Crowds were big enough to justify the expense, with baths used all over the country to stage boxing bouts. The first professional nights of boxing at York Hall sprung up in the 1940s, with the venue just another small arena. But as other baths were replaced and neglected for more suitable venues, York Hall managed to survive. In the 1950s the main pool was completely boarded over to be used permanently for boxing, indicating how the sweet science had ingrained itself into the fabric of the venue. In 2004, it appeared that York Hall had reached the end of its lifespan, with the council feeling that the cost of upkeep far outweighed the benefits of maintaining the venue. Tower Hamlets Council planned on demolishing the venue, with the view of allowing the development of penthouses. After campaigning from notable boxing names, including promoter Frank Warren, Greenwich Leisure stepped in, carrying out a refurbishment that saw York Hall become a leisure centre. Subsequently listed as a grade II building in 2013, York Hall remains a firm fixture in the landscape of British boxing. Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
