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Calzaghe picks up CBE at palace | Calzaghe picks up CBE at palace |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Undefeated world champion boxer Joe Calzaghe admitted to being nervous as he received his CBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. | |
Calzaghe was recognised for services to sport and voluntary services in Wales, in the Queen's Birthday Honours. | Calzaghe was recognised for services to sport and voluntary services in Wales, in the Queen's Birthday Honours. |
"I think she said I was undefeated. I blabbered something out," he said. | |
Earlier this month, he recorded his 46th unbeaten fight by defeating American Roy Jones Jr in New York. | Earlier this month, he recorded his 46th unbeaten fight by defeating American Roy Jones Jr in New York. |
Trained by his father Enzo - who joined him at the Palace - Calzaghe, from Newbridge, has dominated the super-middleweight division for 10 years. | |
Calzaghe said he could barely remember what the Queen had said to him as he was so nervous. | |
"She said I do a lot of charity work and I said I do a lot of work withchildren." | |
The boxer, who is also an MBE, said he was looking forward to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards next month but did not expect to win for a second year running. | |
Calzaghe said he was shocked to win the prize last year, ahead of this year's favourite Lewis Hamilton. | |
He was in Las Vegas for last year's announcement but said he was looking forward to attending next month's ceremony even if he came away empty-handed. | |
Proud as punch - Joe Calzaghe with his CBE outside Buckingham PalaceEnlarge Image | |
"I'm not going with great expectations," he said. "Lewis Hamilton is thebookies' favourite but you've got all the Olympians too. It's been a great year for British sport. | |
"I'm one of the contenders and it's great to be in that position. I've won it once so I'm happy." | |
Calzaghe was accompanied to Buckingham Palace by his parents Enzo and Jackie and his girlfriend Jo-Emma Lavin. | |
Enzo added: "It's been a fantastic year for him". | |
But h refused to comment on whether his son should retire from boxing, saying: | |
"He has not retired so he is still active. Today he's still a boxer." | |
In November 2007, Calzaghe beat Mikel Kessler to unify the WBO, WBA and WBC titles for the first time. | |
He then stepped up to light-heavyweight and defeated Bernard Hopkins in April to claim the championship belt. | He then stepped up to light-heavyweight and defeated Bernard Hopkins in April to claim the championship belt. |
He outclassed Jones Jr in their Madison Square Garden bout despite being knocked down in the first round, earning himself plaudits as the UK's greatest boxer yet. | He outclassed Jones Jr in their Madison Square Garden bout despite being knocked down in the first round, earning himself plaudits as the UK's greatest boxer yet. |
Also receiving honours at the palace ceremony was actor Don Warrington, best known for playing Philip Smith in the 70s sitcom Rising Damp, and a contestant in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing. | |
Architect Lord Rogers was made a Companion of Honour, while Sir Alan Beith, the Liberal Democrats' longest-serving MP and a former deputy leader of the party, was knighted. | |
Joe Calzaghe with his parents and girlfriend outside Buckingham Palace | |