Boxing Great Joe Calzaghe On The Ropes In “Strictly Come Dancing”!

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Joe Calzaghe may have retired the undefeated super middleweight and light heavyweight champion but it seems that his footwork on the dance floor doesn’t match up to that in the ring.

This weekend saw the start of BBC‘s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and Joe made his debut alongside professional dancer and blonde beauty Kristina Rihanoff.

“I never really danced before,” stated the Welsh Boxer, “so I was pretty nervous taking this up – probably more nervous than when I step in to the ring for a fight!

“Outside the ring I’m pretty relaxed – a bit sensitive sometimes,” he laughs. “When I fight, obviously my ‘colour’ is black, so I want to stay away from pink – I already told them that. No pink for me!”

Stepping out in dark purple waistcoat, trousers, shirt and tie – Joe danced the Tango. Looking a little stiff-legged, Joe didn’t seem altogether comfortable out there but it was surely compensated by the glittering moves of partner Kristina.

Comments by the four judges ranged from “You are a sexy couple” by new judge Alesha, to “That was just the most boring tango I’ve ever seen,” from Frenchman Bruno (not Frank the boxer, of course!) and even “You lacked attack and your bottom sticks out,” spat Craig and finally Len said “I expected aggression but didn’t get it”.

Their scores amounted to an unimpressive 16 out of 40.

Oh dear – not the best of starts…but perhaps round two will be better.

Next up was the Cha-Cha and Joe – this time in satin lilac shirt and dark trousers – danced to the sounds of ‘Chain of Fools’. Looking slightly more relaxed against a gyrating Kristina – he was hoping for better comments this time.

“You’re a slow bloomer!” said Len, “Poor footwork and no sense of rhythm,” drawled Bruno, “Two words: rigor mortis!” Craig said flatly.

The judges gave another uninspiring 16 out of 40, leaving Joe and Kristina at the bottom of the leader board out of a possible eight couples.

Never mind, as after a public telephone vote Joe and Kristina were saved the embarrassment of being ejected in the first week – leaving two other couples to ‘fight’ for their spot. Sadly, it was former tennis champion Martina Hingis who was sent packing.

Tune in next weekend to see if Joe can loosen-up to win the approval of the four judges from hell? Will he give in and wear pink? And can Kristina top the sparkling back-less creation she wore on this week’s show?