No Ordinary Joe: The Autobiography of the Greatest British Boxer of All Time

by Joe Calzaghe, Sugar Ray Leonard (Foreword)

It was past three in the morning when Joe Calzaghe experienced the sweetest validation of his professional life. Victory over Jeff Lacy, a 28-year-old American compared to a young Mike Tyson because of his power and "take-no-prisoners attitude," left no one in doubt about the world super middleweight champion’s talent. Hugh McIlvanney, the doyen of British sportswriters and a veteran chronicler of fights, described what he had witnessed as "one of the greatest displays of superb technique, confidence, and fighting intelligence a British boxer has delivered in a major contest." For years, Calzaghe’s virtuosity remained a legend of the Welsh valleys. His defeat in 1997 of Chris Eubank brought him to prominence and won him the World Boxing Organization super middleweight title. But despite a record number of defenses of the belt, his career lacked a defining contest. A long line of challengers and ex-titleholders were disposed of but the biggest names in American boxing avoided the ultimate showdown he craved. Hand injuries further obscured the true level of his aptitude for an art he began to learn from his father, Enzo, at the age of eight when—inspired by Sugar Ray Leonard—a rolled-up carpet in the family home in Newbridge became a makeshift punching bag. This is the story of Calzaghe’s extraordinary life, from his humble beginnings in his hometown of Newbridge to his ascent to personal greatness, becoming the first super middleweight boxer to win the prized belt awarded by The Ring —the bible of boxing—in the division’s near 20-year history. As reticent outside the ring as he is remarkable inside, for the first time Calzaghe reveals his fears and motivations and the real extent of the hand injuries that have dogged his career. One of Britain’s foremost sporting champions, a warrior, and a working-class hero, this is the story of the triumphs and trials that made Calzaghe a legend.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction

254 pages, Hardcover

First published April 24, 2007

Reviews

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isn't he beautiful to stare at? Oh, sorry! Just daydreaming there...

I read this book not because Joe is the greatest boxer of our time, or handsome in a rough and ready sort of way, but because I wanted to get into the mind of a fighter and find out what makes them fight even when every last cell in their body says 'GIVE UP!'

Is Joe a great writer? Errrr, no. But(!) the book succeeds because it has heart.

'The reason I fight is simple: I like to win. I see boxing as an art. Hit and not be hit. yes, I can take a hard punch to the chin, I've been cut and I've been knocked down, but I never quit. I have the heart of a fighter. I don't crave to be in a war, however, for the sake of being in a war. It is simply about winning. Winning is everything, it's all that matters to me.'

For me, fighting is simply about living! Living is everything, it's all that matters to me. Living is an art: live or fail trying. I too have the heart of a fighter.

Unfortunately, Joe can not for the life of him dance, as Strictly Come Dancing fans will know all too well!

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was the best autobiography i have read so far barring perhaps Muhammad alis. one thing that came through each chapter was the close relationship him and his father seemed to have. hoe his father pushed him from an early age and went on runs with him to build up his fitness. he won all 46 of his fights and had voer 30 knockouts. in his last three fights he beat Michael kessler in 2007 and both Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones junior in 2008. his stamina and work rate were incredible as was his speed. certainly not a heavy hitter but speed and agility to punch on the move made him stand out a mile. his first round knockdown of Chris eubank and Chris' subsequent reaction in the ring was priceless. his fight against Lacy with weakened hands was also one of the highlights of this impressive career. very likable down to earth person who i met once on a train going to london to do "strictly come dancing" with his Russian dance partner.
if you are interested in boxing and learning how to box there are amazing hints and tips in this book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

like most boxing books this is a compelling read, especially as an American, boxing fan, I enjoyed hearing about whats it like to be boxer on the other side of the pond. I mostly heard about Joe from his fights with Lacy, roy jones and Bernard Hopkins. he has great insights into the science of boxing, ie he being a volume puncher with hand speed as opposed to a power puncher, how a lefty like him, has to face a righty, getting down to weight, the way he trains and maybe most importantly, mindset. like all fighters Joe describes adversity, hand injuries, self doubt, going thru a divorce and the futility of sup-par performances.

that being said the premise of the book is his fight with Jeff Lacy a beast, a mini-tyron. but strictly has a fight fan is beating Jeff Lacy worthy of legacy status. when you think of undefeated fighters you think of Rocky Marciano and Floyd Mayweather, but no one thinks of Joe C. here's the rare white boxer who can really fight, with movie star good looks but aside from Lacy and Chris Eubanks he beat an old roy Jones and an old Bernard Hopkins, in a way I feel bad that Joe's legacy could of been that much greater, he could have been up there with sugar ray Leonard (who wrote the into) Lennox lewis, Mike Tyson, if he'd fought better competition.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book and found it very easy to turn page after page. I got into boxing as a kid towards the end of Calzaghe’s career and liked how he fought. Found this book in a hostel and decided to give it a read. It was interesting to see his mindset for different fights and the injury problems he had to battle through which I was unaware of. Definitely enjoyed the book but I have to say at some points he did just go on about how amazing he is. He was a boxing great there’s not doubt but you don’t half hear him say it

[Gareth Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this interesting autobiography of joe calzaghe which not only tells of his life story but also gives some interesting insights into other characters in the boxing world Nazeem hamed and Micky duff ect and also of boxing politics. I would say the book is perhaps two chapters too long but all in all a good read.

[Angstreichian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calzaghe isn't a brilliant writer. But he is genuine and a truly brilliant fighter who seems to have a level of self understanding and self awareness greater than those around him. He speaks of his own internal contradictions, his immense love for his father and perhaps leaves out some personal details. Oh, and he's certainly a big fan of himself, which I bizarrely respect.

[Mat Greener · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good account of his career up to 2007. A hugely underrated boxer. Stayed true to his Welsh & Italian routes. It would have been better if written after his last fights (still undefeated) But interesting he says no interest in fighting Roy Jones Jr as he is washed up but does fight him two years later. Also says been invited to go on strictly but no interest in that ...

[Tom Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. He was a very underrated boxer. He's 46-0 and fought some of the best around. His father Enzo played a massive role in Joe's career, giving him the belief he could win, in the fight against Jeff Lacy that brought him to the attention of the US.

[Joseph Ramsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

He's definitely a better boxer than a writer, but I enjoyed this biography. It was a little light on gossip and fight descriptions for me though.

[Ben Twoonezero · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good interesting sport autobiography, only spoiled due to not chronicling all his career.

[ei_tc Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great boxer, excellent career - but why is his book so dull?

[Gareth Davies · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly bog standard sports autobiography. Easy to read but could have been updated to include Calzaghe’s later career.

[WIlliam Gerrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to get to watch Calzaghe fight live, against Mikkel Kessler, in Cardiff Millenium Stadium. I followed him throughout his career and can honestly say he was the most amazing fighter. I believe that his record places him among the very best to have ever graced the sport. The ferocity in how he attacked Kessler and the grace about which he danced the ring, were truly a sight to behold. Joe's autobiography is an outstanding read. Here we have a legend in his own words. The early years of his fighting career demonstrates how difficult a ladder he had to climb. His training regime was immense and the dedication his father showed him is a tale unto itself. Aside from the boxing and sport side of the book, it is a great story about the relationship between a loving father and a caring and obedient son. Enzo Calzaghe is as much to credit for Joe's wonderful career, as the great fighter is himself. I found it really bizarre how Joe was overlooked by the national squad early on and denied the opportunity to represent at the Olympics. It also shocked me how meagre his wages were right up until the latter stages of his career. When you hear of the immense purses available in the sport today, you get the impression that boxing is very lucrative. Joe was world championship material and was still struggling to make ends meet and finance a humble mortgage. It was a shame for me, that the book ended where it did, as it doesn't cover the final few years of his career, when he really hit the very top and started to get the true recognition he warranted. It would be nice if he one day adds a further few chapters to cover complete the story. Joe comes across as a humble man and his modest upbringing in South Wales and really basic training setup, make his rise to success even more outstanding. His book is an essential item for any boxing fan's reading list and a lover of sports biographies or a lover of sport in general should give this read a go. Joe is the people's champion and his book affirms this view.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An good insight into the background and thoughts of Joe Calzaghe, one of Britain's most successful boxers of all time. An easy read which was entertaining and informative. He also avoided the pitfall of using an autobiography as a vehicle to settle old scores or disrespect others. Some comments quoted from boxing writers about some of his fights not all of which were glowing, which also added to the overall book's credibility.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very open and honest account of how Joe came up from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful boxers in history. Joe discusses his family history and charts his boxing career from the moment he first stepped into the ring to his bout with Jeff Lacy. He is candid about each stage of his career and how this affects him and his family. Shows how down to earth Joe has stayed despite the apparant glitz and glamour of the boxing world.

[Neil Cake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably one of the better sporting autobiographies I've read so far. He does go into detail about some of his fights and is able to describe what it's like to be in the ring, though ultimately it is 3 or 4 chapters too long.

[Andrew Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read about Joe's determination to be the best and finally get the recognition he deserved

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

just a great bio..humble man and a great champ

[Daniel James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

was ok