Father's pride in Calzaghe's CBE

Enzo Calzaghe has been son Joe's boxing trainer throughout his career

Joe Calzaghe's father Enzo said he was "so proud" his son had been appointed CBE in the Queen's birthday honours but added: "I think he should be a Sir".

Enzo, who trains the boxer, was told the news in a telephone call from his son, who has been hailed as one of Britain's greatest.

The 36-year-old from Newbridge is undefeated in 45 fights after beating Bernard Hopkins in April.

His father said: "This tops a great year for Joe."

Calzaghe, who became an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list in 2003, beat Hopkins on a split-points decision on his light-heavyweight debut in Las Vegas.

He is also the undisputed super-middleweight world champion and was recently described by former boxing champion Barry McGuigan as the best fighter Britain has ever produced.

Enzo said he found out about his son's latest "fantastic" honour in a phone call.

"Joe rang and said 'dad, I've got a CBE' and I said 'what is a CBE?' He said he didn't know. So I said I thought it was a commander [of the British Empire]. He said 'that sounds good.' It was all tongue in cheek," he said.

"I was gobsmacked and I think his mother will be gobsmacked."

But he said he thought the boxing star, who is BBC sports personality of the year, deserved to be knighted.

"People with less achievements in their sports have had it," he said.

"Let's be honest, what he's achieved is history. He's created history."

When asked if Calzaghe felt the same he said: "Joe's very modest."