YOU will have to forgive some serious nostalgia with the release yesterday on DVD of Mr Calzaghe, the fabulous new documentary film about super, super Joe.

Seven years on from his retirement at 46-0, seven years since he left the sport on his terms, with faculties and finances intact and his record beyond scrutiny, seven years since Wales’ greatest sporting star hung up his gloves for the final time.

It’s lovely to be able to look back on such a stellar career and unique story and it was a pleasure to watch the film in the cinema on Friday at the premiere in Cardiff.

Full disclosure, I do feature in the movie as a talking head – please don’t let that put you off – but the film is rightly receiving positive reviews for the way it captures the unique essence of the Calzaghe family.

Or more specifically, the dynamic between the Calzaghe men, who for four generations have lived to support and provide for their children and who are closer to no-one than their siblings and parents.

A boxing coach is so many things at so many times, a trainer, a psychiatrist, a conditioner, a de-facto parent, a metaphorical punching bag and a confidant, it is just beyond the realms of fantasy that the Joe and Enzo Calzaghe story even exists.

Enzo’s life has been such a tapestry of travel and adventure and at times excess and recklessness, that it’s incredible that he even came to meet his soul mate Jackie, his wife of close to 50-years and mother to his three children.

It’s incredible that a guy who was a bus conductor, a rogue and a dreamer, a musician on the cusp of a long American tour, decided to change direction entirely and train his son, an aspiring and shy young boxer named Joe who was being bullied at school and needed an outlet. Identified as open class by his first trainer, Paul Williams, as a nine-year old, Joe was trained entirely as a professional by his father.

An eccentric who created his own training style and philosophy, using musical principles and rhythms to mould a style in the ring – punches in bunches yes, but not as we know it.

Listen back to Enzo in Joe’s corner and he’s screaming like a conductor, bus or otherwise, but its musical references he’s screaming. Three Bs Joe, four As! Then hit him with two Cs.

He thought in cords and choreography and it wasn’t just son Joe who was the beneficiary, because the same principles took Gavin Rees, Enzo Maccarinelli and Nathan Cleverly to a world title.

However, it was the career of Joe that sees Enzo recognised as one of the all-time great boxing trainers, a one in a million talent who found the perfect way to maximise his ability, in the face of insurmountable odds.

Joe Calzaghe battled badly damaged hands from the age of 15 to the day he retired. Joe Calzaghe routinely didn’t spar even a single round in between world title defences, and once went almost two whole years as a world champion without sparring. More than once, his promoter Frank Warren told him to retire. In his 20s.

When he damaged his hands ten days before the Jeff Lacy fight, Calzaghe was mentally broken. He didn’t believe he could beat the big bad left hook king who looked like Mike Tyson. He was adamant he wouldn’t fight. Enzo talked him off the ledge, almost entirely by screaming profanities.

It was the defining moment for trainer and ten days later was the defining fight for the boxer. His destruction of Lacy was balletic and mesmerising, standing the test of time as his career defining performance.

But it’s the bond between father and son that most endures with the Calzaghes and that relationship comes across beautifully in the documentary. No one on the planet is a bigger fan of Enzo Calzaghe than Joe is and it is very much a mutual appreciation society. Joe’s eyes sparkle when he’s watching Enzo being Enzo.

Joe Calzaghe Jr is already deeply ensconced in an ambition to follow in his fathers’ footsteps and Connor Calzaghe is also considering lacing them up, with his dad’s blessing.

People will presume there is an insurmountable pressure in being the offspring of a genius and trying to forge a similar path, but that pressure won’t come from within.

Without wishing to sound like an old geezer, I’ve known Joe’s sons since they were Primary School age and wish them well in whatever they do, including a foray into boxing.

But there should be no fears about it being an impossible dream, because the support of Enzo and Joe will ensure it isn’t. Joe Calzaghe Jr won’t be Brian Clough, but there is nothing to stop him being Nigel. It’s an intriguing prospect.

Of course, Joe’s talent is a story in itself, one for the ages, but the unique dynamic of the Calzaghe family ensures they will be forever remembered, both in boxing and the country they represent.

Neither Enzo nor Joe Calzaghe were born in Wales, yet they stand head and shoulders as the greatest story in Welsh sporting history.

It was a true privilege to watch a chapter or two.