- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: Century; First edition (24 May 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1846051932
- ISBN-13: 978-1846051937
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.7 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 181,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
It was past three o'clock 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, winning for him the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super middleweight title. But despite a record number of defences 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 heavy 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 once he steps 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 working-class hero, this is the story of the triumphs and trials that made Calzaghe a legend.
From the Publisher
The autobiography of the greatest British boxer of all time
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
No Ordinary Joe is the autobiography of Joe Calzaghe and takes his story up to April 2007 when he beat Peter Manfredo Jnr at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. At the time the book was written, Joe had been the WBO super-middleweight champion for 10 years making 20 successful defences, as well as gaining the IBF super-middleweight title in 2006 in a fight against Jeff Lacy described by the respected commentator Hugh Mcllvanney as "one of the greatest displays of superb technique, confidence and fighting intelligence a British boxer has delivered in a major contest." Despite his record, recognition had been slow coming to Joe before the Lacy fight. This is surprising, as he has a broad appeal capable of crossing over to a female fan base with the looks that led to the offer of an M & S modelling contract (which he declined) as well as being a devoted father and family man. The book is remarkably objective for an autobiography and Joe is able to come up with a number of reasons for his comparatively low profile: He came after the barnstorming Benn-Eubank-Collins years and boxing's move away from terrestrial television to Sky; he has been dogged by hand injuries; the fact that his talent scared off the biggest names; possibly it's the British inability to fully embrace winners but perhaps most of all in a celebrity driven age, Joe has never been interested in the fame game. You get a clear idea from the book as to how Joe has developed as an athlete. He very courageously discusses how he was very badly bullied at school despite being a schoolboy boxing champion. This ended a reasonably promising academic performance and it could be that this intelligence was diverted away from academia to the ring. He acknowledges tensions in the relationship with his father and trainer, Enzo who clearly recognised his son's prodigious talent at an early age. There could have been more analysis of Enzo as his story is, in many ways, just as remarkable as he had no previous experience of boxing training. Although Enzo could see the talent, Joe's career was set back by a number of people who did not know how to handle it. So astonishingly the Wales ABA did not put him forward for the Barcelona Olympics qualifiers and whilst managed by Mickey Duff he was not being brought on sufficiently quickly. There are also some great anecdotes such as Joe's mounting discomfiture when Enzo decides verbally to have a go at Tyson. The forward by Sugar Ray Leonard is a little odd as it seems far more about Sugar Ray Leonard than about Joe but that's a minor quibble. Overall it's a highly readable book from a great and modest champion.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Great book, well written giving valuable insight and taking you on the journey through Calzaghe's career. Any boxing fan should make this a must read. To overcome the problems with his hands and apparent bad management decisions at the start of his career yet end up as an undefeated champion (and the first super middleweight boxer to win the prized belt awarded by The Ring in the division's near 20-year history) tells you something about the man.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is without doubt one of the most entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable sports bio's i have read. Numerous stories during the book make you laugh, in particular the various spats between Joe and Enzo. Most notably when his dad parked 2 miles away from the weigh-in to avoid paying to park!!! Also, this book gives a great insight into Joe himself and honestly appraises his career and feelings prior to the big fights.
My favourite sports book of all time is Donald McCreas Dark Trade and i found 'No Ordinary Joe' is not far behind. Very well written and easy to read, so much so that i finished it in 2 days on holiday earlier this year.
My favourite sports book of all time is Donald McCreas Dark Trade and i found 'No Ordinary Joe' is not far behind. Very well written and easy to read, so much so that i finished it in 2 days on holiday earlier this year.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Boxing
really inforamtive book about Joe and all his fights, gives a detailed account and list all the fights he has had, the most stunning thing about the book is the way he was treted... Read more
Published 18 months ago by actionman023
fine read and straight to the point...
I got this book as a christmas present and i also do boxing and love the sport. Joe Calzaghe is extremely underated and has exceptional boxing skills. Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2009 by bookreader
Boring
It seems that Calzaghe is carrying on despite the chorus of people in the boxing fraternity willing him to retire. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by A. Hasnath
Highly recommended
I read this book in 1 day and couldn`t put it down. Its a great insight into what makes a champion and what doesn`t. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2008 by Mark Twain
An excellent read for sports fans, much better than the usual...
The best Autobiography of a sports-man I have read.
I read Freddie Flintoff and Michael Vaughan's autobiographies when I was on holiday last year and to be honest they... Read more
I read Freddie Flintoff and Michael Vaughan's autobiographies when I was on holiday last year and to be honest they... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2007 by Mr. N. C. Heys
Fascinating if carefully monitored look at a boxing star
Joe Calzaghe's autobiography is a quick read and, for the most, entertaining enough. It's not orgies and sniping - like Nigel Benn's; it's not anecdotes and swearing - like Ricky... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2007 by Kentspur
No Ordinary Joe, Joe Calzaghe
I've just finished reading this book in about two evenings, which just goes to show what an easy read it is. Read more
Published on 28 July 2007 by Mr. Gareth S. Smith
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