Newbridge boxing champion Joe Calzaghe has apologised after being caught admitting to cocaine use in a tabloid newspaper sting.
The former world middleweight and light-heavyweight champion made the apology following the admission to an undercover reporter from the News of the World.
In a statement to the newspaper he said: “I very much regret my occasional use of cocaine in what have sometimes been the long days since my retirement from the ring.
“I am fully aware of the bad example it sets to other people and particularly to youngsters and I apologise to my family, friends and fans.
“It is not a major problem in my life but it is something which I am actively addressing.
“Many of the other conversations reported to have taken place simply involve men joshing or shooting the breeze over a drink.
“While some statements are either untrue or exaggerations I am, naturally, sorry for any embarrassment their publication may cause to entirely blameless third parties.”
In addition to the statement, Calzaghe, through his website, also explained how he was caught in the sting organised by the newspaper’s ‘Fake Sheikh’, Mazer Mahmood.
He said: “I met them a few times because they were plausible and seemed to be offering a good business proposition.
“Unbeknown to me, every word spoken was filmed and tape recorded using sophisticated and secret surveillance equipment as part of a News of the World sting operation.
“Much of the discussion took place in a relaxed environment with drink flowing freely. Like most such conversations therefore, there was a lot of joshing and not everything said was meant seriously.
“However, during several hours of conversations, I made passing references to cocaine – again something I am definitely NOT proud of.”
The full statement is published at www.joecalzaghe.com