Joe Calzaghe retired undefeated after 46 wins from 46 fights back in 2008.
The Welshman competed in two different divisions, first at super-middleweight, where he reigned as world champion for more than a decade and made 21 defences to set a record that still stands today.
Then for his final two contests he moved up to light heavyweight and got wins over Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr to cement his legacy as an all-time British boxing great.
Despite his unblemished record, his super-middleweight rival Carl Froch believes that Calzaghe was lucky to get the nod on the cards when he beat Robin Reid back in 1999.
Reflecting on the fight, Reid himself told Hannibal Boxing:
“At the time, and even a couple of years after, I was a little bit bitter. Joe put it down to a bad performance instead of giving me a bit of credit. I’m not saying I’m a better fighter than Joe Calzaghe. Far from it. To go on and do what he achieved, I’ve got the utmost respect for him. He’s a legend and I’m happy to have shared the ring with him.
“All I’m saying is that styles make fights and on that day in 1999, my style was made to beat him, and he struggled with it. I couldn’t miss with that overhand right that night, especially against a southpaw who comes looking to fight. We’d worked on that punch in the gym over and over again and it paid off. The tactics were spot on.”
Speaking to iFL TV recently, Reid expressed his interest in another shot at ‘The Pride of Wales’ after losing the first fight by split decision after scores of 116-111 Calzaghe twice, along with one card 116-111 in his favour.
“I’ve always called for the rematch since our fight in 1999, I think it was. It was a close fight. I got the chance to grace the ring with a super middleweight legend. I took it to a split decision; a lot of people thought I won the fight.
“It was a close fight, but these chances come around again. Listen, Joe, why don’t we do it again, mate? Why don’t we sit down, have a little talk? It’s not about revenge or anything like that. Like I say, the money’s round now, I think it would create a lot of interest. Let’s sit down at least, let’s make it happen now.”
Though an exhibition of some sort would likely draw interest, Calzaghe is much more likely to remain happy in retirement.
