Joe Calzaghe coming back to Wolverhampton

The Welshman will be the feature attraction of 'An Evening With' show in the city on Friday September 16,

His after-dinner speaking engagement will come at the Grand Station, on Sun Street, in an offering promoted by Showfighter.

His last appearance came at a packed Wolverhampton Civic Hall in June 2009, five months after he retired. He was supported by the late Henry Cooper.

He actually boxed at the Civic early on in his professional career, taking two rounds to dispose of Trevor Ambrose by TKO in November 1994.

He had featured the previous March at Dudley Town Hall, too, scoring a first round stoppage against Darren Littlewood.

It will be a family affair for Calzaghe at the Grand Station with father Enzo - his coach during his fighting days - and uncle Sergio joining him in the Black Country.

Italian-born Enzo was professionally involved in music before becoming a boxing trainer. Originally a bass guitarist, the 67-year-old will play a set alongside Sergio.

The family story has just been recounted with the documentary 'Mr Calzaghe,' a feature film that was released last year.

Joe, 44, hung up his gloves undefeated after 46 bouts, still reigning as a world champion and arguably the greatest British super middleweight of all time. He won 32 inside the distance.

His exploits had gleaned British, WBO, IBF, WBC and WBA 'super' world titles, along with the Ring Magazine and Lineal honours.

At the turn of the year he called time, he was ranked third in the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world by the Ring. He was also named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2007.

Arguably the best brawler of them all, his own power and established chin were matched by guts and grit that led him to glory.

The formidable southpaw always came out on top and went on a tear as WBO world champion, after beating an ageing Chris Eubank for the belt.

He defended his crown a whopping 21 times, more than doubling Nigel Benn's previous record of nine with the same 168lb strap.

Both are now permanently enshrined onto the organisation's super middleweight strap, but it's Calzaghe who stands tall.

He started unifying the titles in 2006 by outpointing Jeff Lacy to add the IBF, Ring and Lineal honours to his stash.

In his last outing as WBO titlist, he defeated Mikkel Kessler in front of his countrymen at the Millennium Stadium to claim WBC and WBA 'super' accolades.

He would travel up to light heavyweight for his last two contests, taking on ring greats Roy Jones Jnr and Bernard Hopkins.

Beating both over-the-distance cemented his legend, winning the Ring's light heavy gong at the expense of Hopkins before retaining against Jones Jnr.

Tickets to see him at Grand Central now are on sale, with most including a three-course meal. 'Silver' passes are £50, with seating to the rear of the room. 'Gold' is £75, with central seating.

The VIP option is £95, with premium seating, a private meet and greet and a photograph with Calzaghe and his family in the venue's Brunel Suite.

There's also a VVIP alternative, sold in tables of 10 and priced at £1,500, including all of the above and a free bar. Entry only tickets, after the meal, can be purchased for £25.

Showfighter are in partnership with Pure Gym, whose members can get tickets at a discounted rate. Calzaghe will be sponsored on the night by environmental services provider AMES.

Fundraising at the event will benefit the 'Leon's First Steps' charity. Codsall's Leon Thompson, 3, has cerebral palsy and needs surgery to help him walk for the first time.

For more information, call 01902 213 155 or go to www.showfighter.co.uk/events. The host venue can be contacted on 01902 454 550.