Boxing great Sugar Ray backs Joe Calzaghe

Tuesday, 13th October 2009. By Dave Harland

Strictly Come Dancing star Joe Calzaghe has received encouragement from another boxing legend despite some seriously poor performances on the show.

American ring favourite Sugar Ray Leonard wants the Welshman to "hang in there" after a succession of dodgy dancing moves.

Tough Calzaghe was unbeaten in his professional boxing career but is taking blow after blow from dance critics and the show's judges due to his wooden movements with partner Kristina Rihanoff.

So it was kind of former four-weight champion Leonard to offer some words of wisdom to Calzaghe.

He spoke to reporters after a business meeting in South Wales - ironically about the possibility of selling the Strictly contestant's boxing training aid "the Calzaghe Counter-Punch" in the US.

Calzaghe was absent from the meeting due to filming commitments, but Sugar Ray laughed: "He couldn't make it because his feet are hurting.

"He says dancing is much harder than boxing."

And when asked if he could offer any words of support, Leonard added: "Hang in there and move your feet."

Very wise words from one boxing great to another.

Image Credit: BBC