Giving up boxing KO'd love with Jo
Strictly star Joe breaks his silence on split
Look out Joe, Kristina's danced FOUR partners into bed
Look out Joe Calzaghe, Kristina's danced FOUR partners into bed.
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Joe Calzaghe last night spoke for the first time about his split from his long-term girlfriend - and blamed it on quitting boxing.
The undefeated world champ - set to appear in the new series of the BBC1 dance show - revealed: "It was a really tough decision but we had to move on."
In an exclusive interview he told how his five-year relationship with model Jo-Emma Lavin crumbled after he retired from the ring in February.
Joe, 37, admitted: "I had some great times with Jo and she gave me a lot of support. But sadly things haven't worked out. We had some rows and we didn't want to hurt each other so we had to go our separate ways.
"My retirement has had some influence on my personal life. I miss the focus of boxing, I've been home a lot and it's inevitable the change caused difficulties for us."
Begged
Jo-Emma, 28, has now moved to London but Joe will stay in Wales with his sons Joe, 15, and Connor, 12, from his marriage to ex-wife Mandy.
The super middleweight told how he had to quit boxing - despite an unbeaten 46-fight record - after seeing his boys sobbing ringside.
"The last couple of fights they were really upset. Connor begged me to stop."
He hopes his Strictly challenge will help him get over his love split - though he is terrified of making a fool of himself on the dancefloor.
Joe, who will partner Russian Kristina Rihan- off, said: "Strictly has given me a new focus that I can throw myself into. Dancing is a massive challenge. It will give me the fear factor again.
"I will be more petrified going on the dancefloor to walking out into the ring at Madison Square Garden."
He added: "Hopefully I will get some new fans and people will see a different side to me rather than a guy in a ring who just tries to beat someone up."
Joe is already an early favourite to win the seventh series of the hit show but he is playing down his chances.
He joked: "They haven't seen me dance yet," but added: "I like to do my best and try to win if I can."
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This article has 19 comments
I have never met Jo Emma, but i have met Joe and i have to say i have allways found him to be a real gentalman, it is sad they have split up, but in no way do i belive it is a set up, i just dont think Joe is that sort of person . I think his relatonship with Jo Emma must of run its course and Joe has clearly in love or lust with Kristina.
By Scott. Posted September 27 2009 at 5:06 PM.
There is absolutely no chance that she is 28 and she is making herself look foolish claiming that she is. She is also VERY plastic looking. When I first saw her I thought Janice Dickinson had got her claws into Joe. I had to look twice. She will be peddle to the metal looking for a suger daddy now.
By KittyLouise. Posted September 24 2009 at 1:46 PM.
Ive met and worked with her and know people that knew them as a couple and she is more beautiful in the flesh. She is a lovely person too nothing like what these jealous people are saying. they clearly do not know her.
She lived in london before she met Joe and has simply returned home. He stopped her from doing loads of stuff!! And the fact they split soon as he finished boxing shows more about him dont you think - "ive hit the really big time now goodbye" she supported him through loads
By jamie. Posted September 17 2009 at 9:08 AM.
I dont think Jo-emma is a gold digger, she seems to really want to get ahead in life, she is very ambitous. However I feel that she has tried to do this on the back of Joes name, with little success. She is very up herself, she described herself on her website as
* Joe Calzaghe's "GEORGOUS" longterm girlfriend
* Joe Calzaghes "ROCK"
* Most glamorous of WAGS
* Angelina Jolie Lookalike.
Dont think Joe will ever marry her, I bet everything, house, overseas property, bank accounts and all assets are Joes name only. Even when Joe split from his wife of 11yrs with whom he had 3 children, he be-grudged her a divorce settlement. Cant see him wanting to go down that road again... Jo-emma is girlfriend material, but certainly not wife material.
By Boxingbabe. Posted September 1 2009 at 10:08 AM.
I have also met Jo-Emma! she is the kindest person. Will go out of her way to help charities. Beautiful on the outside and inside!!!!
By Anne-marie. Posted September 1 2009 at 7:52 AM.
If she honestly got al dat work done, she shud sue.....!!! People get cosmetic surgery to enhance their luks and make them luk younger...!!! Not 10+ years older.....!!!.
By Ruthie. Posted August 31 2009 at 12:52 PM.
Emma jo looks like one of them babes on after hours TV-Freeview!
She is fit!
By kw. Posted August 31 2009 at 10:57 AM.
I agree with Boxingbabes comment totally. Jo emma is very plastic and fake looking (boobs, lips, teeth, eyebrows, hair, tan, make-up and lots of botox)!! not a patch on the ex- Mrs Calzaghe. If Joe was gonna marry her he wud have done something abot it b4 now after all they've been 2gether 5 years, and its not like he cant afford it. Trophy girlfriend, not a very gud looking one at that.
By Gossip-girl. Posted August 31 2009 at 12:19 PM.
PR exercise for sure.... JC and Jo-emma were both seen holding hands and lukin all loved up in london on Saturday Afternoon.. JC gave you guys the above interview on Saturday Night... Walesonline are saying they are now back together as of Sunday. They both give different reasons for their split. I smell a rat, however if they havent already broken up I think by the time Strictly is over they will well and truely have split, the chemistry between JC and Kristina is stiffling. Jo-emma will be selling her story to the highest bidder, and Kristina will be Joes new "Rock"... Watch this space....
By Boxingbabe. Posted August 31 2009 at 11:05 AM.
Ive met Jo emma and she is a really nice person and not a stuck up wag type gold digger ..she does alot of charity work aswell so dont try and judge people you aint met
By Chris. Posted August 31 2009 at 9:01 AM.
Emma should stay with Joe ,but my friends new her years ago and shes a selfish gold digger whos returned back to london to look for rich property men like she use to ,whos she kidding.
By bam. Posted August 31 2009 at 12:39 AM.
Sorry, but he is trying to gain some sypmpathy votes for strictly.
I know it is not great you split from someone you loved, but come on, what timing to put this in the papers.
Personally, I think he is a bit to full of himself and certainly not my favouraite to win SCD.
By Bonnieb. Posted August 30 2009 at 12:37 PM.
Have you got the ages mixed up? Joe is 28 and Jo-Emma is 37? Because it looks it.
By Bob. Posted August 30 2009 at 11:37 AM.
Leonidas, what are you on?! She is a state!! If she is 28 then she has had a rough life!! The cleavage is heading south for the winter already!!!
By Jacko Lives. Posted August 30 2009 at 10:10 AM.
Joe needs to find a girl more suited to him and his new life style. The fact that they split as soon as he quit boxing, just shows they never had a real relationship to begin with. By the way, in the picture she looks more like 38, who is she trying to fool? Good while it lasted I suppose, and I guess off to London to find another rich man.
By ben. Posted August 30 2009 at 9:30 AM.
She is lovely looking, no doubt! and a figure I would die for, but 28 who is she trying to kid?
Joe though, what a hunk!!!!!
By ritsar. Posted August 30 2009 at 9:07 AM.
Saw it coming. Just like Amanda Holden and Elen Rives, she's claiming fame on the back of her ex's achievements. And yet Mark Croft gets slated for the same thing! Amazing these double standards
By David H. Posted August 30 2009 at 3:48 AM.
Dam she is FIT!
By Leonidas. Posted August 30 2009 at 1:56 AM.
Britain's greatest boxer deserves some success in the marriage game. I hope he wins Strictly.
By Keith Price. Posted August 30 2009 at 12:57 AM.