Calzaghe CBE hints at ring return

Nov 26 2008

Joe Calzaghe hinted he may continue fighting as he collected his CBE at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

The undefeated two-weight world champion admitted he was still considering retirement following his recent victory against Roy Jones Jr but added: "If somebody comes to the table with really big money I'd be stupid to turn it down."

He claimed he had not decided whether to fight again and planned to spend Christmas mulling over his future.

"I'll be 37 in March so I'm no spring chicken," the Welshman said. "People say I don't look like a fighter and I don't want to start looking like a fighter."

Calzaghe added: "It'll have to be something really special to make me want to fight again but I'll decide in the new year.

"There'll always be another up-and-coming fighter. It depends how long you want to go on. It depends if I want to push it a bit or stop."

The Welshman, who dominated the super-middleweight division for 10 years, now fights at light-heavyweight and took the Ring magazine championship belt in April.

Calzaghe said he plans to relax and enjoy eating and drinking during the festive season as he considers the future.

He admitted meeting the Queen was more frightening than getting in the ring.

"I was pretty relaxed until I got to the front then I started to get nervous. It's nerve-wracking talking to the Queen. It's a lot easier talking about boxing," he said.