Joe Calzaghe

“Promoting is a no-no - that's hard work. Training is a full-time job, but I don't have time to do that full-time. But managing is something I'll be good at.”

“I want to prove that I'm not just the best super middleweight in the world but the best pound-for-pound.”

“My mum is the opposite of my dad. She's a very private person, very shy and totally against boxing. She never watched any of my fights live. She hated me doing it.”

“When it comes to the singing part, I think I missed the boat - the whole family can sing except for me. But they can't fight, so I suppose I've been a bit more successful than them there.”

“I'm proud to be one of only a few fighters in history to retire undefeated.”

“You have to try things in life.”

“I've never wanted fame. I've only ever wanted recognition.”

“When you've been at the top of the sport for so many years, it's your life, and it becomes very difficult just to quit boxing and find something else to be happy.”

“I pick my nose quite a bit.”

“If you know you're just fighting for the money and you're not fighting for the championship, you're going to lose, so I thought, 'It's time for me to quit.'”

“I don't seek the limelight. I'm perfectly happy with a quiet life and spending time with my family, but I deserve recognition.”

“I remember every defeat I suffered as an amateur. They were rare enough to be burned into my brain, and that's why I can't bear the thought of losing.”

“I'm not going to lie: you do get down sometimes, but I wouldn't say I was ever depressed; that's too hard a word. But you do become bored, because all you've done in your life is fight and box.”

“There'll never be another Muhammad Ali. He was a superstar. And although he has gone, his legacy will live on for what he has done for sport and humanity.”

“I definitely was a big puncher early on in my career, and I used to load up with my left hand. Then, towards the end of my career, I had hand problems and needed injections in my hands for the pain.”

“Being retired is one thing, but staying retired is another. Even when I announced my retirement, I'm sure people thought I was going to come back.”

“I am not an aggressive person. I am a disciplined, chilled, and relaxed guy.”

“I never really, really pushed my boys into boxing, but I guess it's in the blood.”

“I've beaten all contenders for 11 years. I'm not a robot; I'm fed up. My body's tired of it. I'm 36.”

“My career has been very difficult. People respect the fact that I haven't just turned professional like Amir Khan or Audley Harrison, and it's been, 'Here's a million pound' - for spoilt brats to fight a couple of fights.”