Legendary boxing world champion Joe Calzaghe will be at Sixways Stadium this Friday as a special guest at a black-tie dinner event.
The former Welsh boxer will talk about his sporting career at the home of Worcester Warriors during an evening hosted by well-known boxing pundit Jonny Nelson.
Calzaghe, who was awarded an MBE in 2003, boxed in Worcester once as an amateur and is looking forward to returning to the city.
He said: “I’ve never been to Sixways before so I’m really excited about the evening and seeing the city again.
“I’m going to be talking about my life and boxing career and I’ll be answering questions from people so it’s going to be a really good night.
“I started boxing as a nine-year-old and I’ve had a long career so there will be a lot of stories to tell. Hopefully everyone will have a nice night.”
The 40-year-old retired from boxing in 2009 and has since appeared on BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing.
Talking about his time on the show, he said: “It was the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever done. It’s more nerve-racking doing that than boxing.
“I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for when I signed-up but I met my girlfriend on the show and the training was great.
“The live shows freaked me out and it probably didn’t help that I couldn’t dance either. It was an experience – I’ll say that.”
Since hanging up his gloves, Calzaghe has been based in London but also spends time at the family home in Wales with his two sons, where he watched the Olympic Games last month.
Calzaghe says he was impressed with Great Britain’s young boxers in London and admits he will always stay involved with boxing.
He said: “There were some good boxers at the Games. I was especially impressed with some of the female boxers. I thought Nicola Adams who won a gold medal for Great Britain was outstanding.
“Boxing is in my blood and it will always be in my blood. I still work out and I do commentary now and again and, who knows, maybe one day I’ll get back into it with regards to managing or possibly training fighters.”
Calzaghe, who is half-Welsh, admits he is a big rugby fan during the Six Nations said he always supports Wales during the competition.
He stated: “I do like to watch the Six Nations and other Wales internationals. I go to the Millennium Stadium sometimes when Wales are playing and there is always a good atmosphere so I look forward to that time of year.”
The evening with Calzaghe is on Friday 21 September and runs from 7pm until late. Tickets for this one-off special event are £60 per person – or £55 per head for a table of ten – and are available now from the Events Team on 01905 459322.
“I’m going to be talking about my life and boxing career and I’ll be answering questions from people so it’s going to be a really good night." Joe Calzaghe