Passion drives boxing legend Enzo Calzaghe

The next Joe Calzaghe could be spotted this Easter as young people across South Wales are given a unique opportunity to train with a boxing legend.

Children and young people from Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan will have the opportunity to train for a day with one of the world’s greatest boxing trainers, Enzo Calzaghe, as part of a series of sporting events throughout the Easter holidays.

The events, organised by Peter Griffiths of PG10 Coaching, are aimed at raising participation and skill levels in boxing and football. As well as the chance to train at the Calzaghe gym, youngsters will also be able to attend a series of football training camps run by Wales and Everton FC veteran Neville Southall.

Mr Griffiths said: “In Olympic year it is my aim to provide as many sporting opportunities for Welsh children and young people to get active and participate in sport and leave a legacy across South Wales.”

For Mr Calzaghe, who trained his son Joe as a child up until his retirement in 2009 as Britain’s only undefeated boxing world champion, the event will be a chance to spot some new boxing talent.

“I have trained kids for 30 years,” he said. “I started off training kids. Joe was 9 when he started and what makes a good boxer, what makes a good sportsman, what makes a good football player is passion.” And it’s only passion and a love for the sport which can take you to the top, says Mr Calzaghe.

The 61-year-old trainer, and 2008 BBC Sports Personality coach of the year, recently had his training licence denied by the British Boxing Board of Control. The trainer required a new licence when his old one lapsed after his son Joe’s retirement, but he cannot renew his licence until he completes a mandatory first aid course.

This forced the trainer, who has been in the corner for 33 world title fights, to miss Enzo Maccarinelli’s British title fight win against Shane McPhilbin in Wolverhampton on Friday.

But Enzo said the licence was an issue which would be sorted out soon. “The actual thing is, what remains, is my passion for it,” he said. “I am passionate to teach. I want to be productive. I love the idea of achieving goals and you have got a kid and you have made him and then you look back in years to come and say look, we started from zero with that. Look how great he is."

“My licence has been withdrawn but I have never let things get me down. As long as inside of me there is something called strength, character and motivation then life is easy.”

The first of the Easter sporting events is a Boxing Fitness and Conditioning Festival this Sunday with Enzo Calzaghe. For more information visit the PG10 Coaching website.