British boxing legend Joe Calzaghe CBE is coming to Greater Manchester for not one but two charity dinners, interviews and Q&A sessions later this year.
The former unified WBA, WBC and WBO champion retired back in 2009 as one of the UK’s greatest-ever fighters, boasting an undefeated record of 46-0 and plenty of iconic victories to his name.
It’s fair to say the London-born Welshman has a lot of stories to tell and with some of his biggest-ever bouts coming here in Manchester, including his Arena fight against David Starie and the legendary ‘Judgement Day’ win against Jeff Lacy to claim the Super Middleweight World Championship.
So, with that in mind, the 52-year-old has decided to bring two special ‘An Evening Joe Calzaghe’ events to the region where he enjoyed so much success, hosting one in Manchester and another at Edgeley Park, the home of Stockport County Football Club.
Credit: The Manc Group/Supplied/Tea Chimp (via Flickr)
Ringing the opening bell at Edgeley Park on Friday, fans of the ‘Pride of Wales’ and boxing in general will be able to get up close and personal with the sporting legend.
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Starting from humble beginnings, Calzaghe – who also became known as the ‘Italian Dragon’ due to his Italian heritage – rose through the ranks and went on to face off against some of the all-time greats in the industry such as Mikkel Kessler, Chris Eubank, Roy Jones Jr and more.
He also came out on top on every single occasion.
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Rated by fellow fighter, friend and Manc boxing legend Ricky Hatton as “the greatest British fighter we’ve ever had”, Calzaghe’s record-breaking flawless across multiple weight classes fell nothing short of a sight to behold over the 15 years he spent in the ring.
Certified as the longest-reigning super-middleweight world champion in boxing history, having held the WBO title for over ten years and defending it against a total of 20 opponents (a shared record in the division alongside Sven Ottke) he was an absolute force to be reckoned with.
And soon you’ll be able to see him in the flesh over in Trafford, just across from the Theatre of Dreams, or right in the heart of SK.
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Ding, ding! 🔔🥊
EP Events will be hosting ‘An Evening with Joe Calzaghe CBE’ on Friday September 20th.
The undefeated, world champion boxer will be taking his gloves off and laying it all out on the table with anecdotes from his undefeated 46-0 career!
The two evenings with feature a two-course dinner, live interview, Q&A session and an auction for charity, not to mention some other surprise in store at each date on his UK tour, which makes its first stop in Manchester next month.
Calzaghe will also take to the stage alongside comedian and impressionist, Al Foran, who will be bringing boatloads of belly laughs to warm guests up for a knockout evening.
Even more excitingly, VIP ticket holders will be able to meet Joe in person for a photo and signing opportunity just before dinner is served.
You can grab your tickets to see Joe Calzaghe at Edgeley Park on Friday, 20 September, or at Hotel Football on Thursday, 24 October HERE.
Pep Guardiola says he won’t manage another club after Manchester City
Danny Jones
Pep Guardiola has claimed he won’t manage another team after his tenure at Manchester City is up, so enjoy the ride whilst you can, Blues.
One of the most successful managers in history, Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the greatest managers to have ever lived but it looks like the 53-year-old is now starting to think about life after football – or at least after Man City.
Guardiola recently extended his stay at the Eithad with a new two-year contract but it did look like he was ramping up to leave until the 11th hour and it now seems as though his time at City will be his last in the world of club football.
Pep Guardiola claims that he won't manage another club after Manchester City…
When asked about his future by his fellow compatriot, Pep said: “I’m going to stop. I am not going to join another team, I’m not going to leave to go to another country. I won’t have the energy. For now, I’m still here but to think about starting again, the whole process of training – no, no.”
Energy has been a defining factor for so many managers of late, with long-time rival Jürgen Klopp having departed Liverpool FC as a result of the fatigue caused by the job.
With countless cups, six Premier League titles and a trio of Champions League trophies to his name, Pep has pretty much won everything there is to win, which will no doubt factor into his eventual decision.
That being said, Pep did go on to suggest that however long he stays in the sport after his time in Manchester is all said and done, his next role would likely be in international football as leading a country to major silverware is the one thing he hasn’t achieved just yet.
City have managed to get points back on the board in their last two games, notching a much-needed 3-0 against Nottingham Forest before only managing to scrape a draw against Crystal Palace this past weekend, but with a derby approaching this Sunday, all eyes are on Manchester.
With the title race already looking like a nigh on an insurmountable task given the points they’ve already drooped (even with Liverpool’s recent slip-up), Pep’s stress and energy are already pushed to their limits as it is.
You might only get a couple more years with the tactical genius, City fans, so make the most of it.
You can watch Pep Guardiola’s full interview with Dani García down below – though it is in Spanish so you will need subtitles on:
Manchester City’s alleged charges have been increased to 130
Danny Jones
Manchester City’s hearing over their 115 alleged breaches of FFP (financial fair play) has ended and the outcome is that their charges have now been increased to 130.
Not exactly what Blues will want to hear.
The hearing officially concluded last Friday, 6 December after a 12-week process to determine whether they broke Premier League regulations regarding PSR (profit and sustainability), with accusations initially spanning a nine-year period.
However, rather than making any progress when it comes to clearing their record, it looks as though the opposite has happened.
Man City are now alleged to have committed 130 breaches of Premier League rules with both parties still able to enter an official appeal.
The hearing was held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre near St Paul’s in London, kicking off in September before coming to a close on Friday, 6 December.
Fans will no doubt have been hoping for and maybe even expecting a much more positive update, especially after having been successful in their recent case against the division regarding sponsorship deals and Associated Party Transactions (APT).
As well as the number of alleged breaches having risen to 130, the period of offence is also now said to have been extended, jumping from just under a decade to a total of 14 years.
The Times writer Martyn Ziegler says the club could quietly learn of their fate as soon as next month and even though a final decision still isn’t expected until spring 2025, should either side appeal the final outcome, this will likely draw out proceedings for several more months.
Man City’s charges have gone from 115 to 130. (Credit: The Manc Group)
For context, City still deny all of the claims laid against them, which include failing to provide accurate financial information for as many as nine seasons, full details of players’ wages, hiding the true figure former manager Roberto Mancini was paid for her service, as well as failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation and UEFA’s FFP rules.
The club were slapped with a two-year European ban back in 2020 and have been fined by the European footballing body previously, but that ban was ultimately dropped and even their most recent financial punishment was dropped from £30 million to just £10m – chump change given their spending power.
It still remains unclear what exactly will happen to the reigning English champions if they are found guilty but with Pep Guardiola’s also struggling for form of late, having lost five games in a row for the first time in the Catalan’s career, those inside the Etihad could do with some good news.
The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester in recent years is looking a little lost behind the clouds at the minute.
Danny Jones -
14th August 2024 
