09.07.08 – by James Slater: It’s apparent 36-year-old Joe Calzaghe will not be having what he says will be the final fight of his great career on home soil, as was first suggested. Instead, according to a breaking news story on ESPN.com, light-heavyweight champion Calzaghe will meet former pound-for-pound king Roy Jones Junior at the legendary venue that is Madison Square Garden in New York. The bout will take place on September 20th..
“The deal for the fight is done, we’re finalizing with The Garden,” said John Wirt, the CEO of Jones’ promotional company, Square Ring, who, along with Joe Calzaghe Enterprises, will promote the clash. “Roy is very pumped up not only about the fight itself, but that he is promoting it with Joe. With Roy it is an honour that Joe has agreed to do the fight with him.”
As we know, Joe Calzaghe broke ties with long-time promoter Frank Warren so as to look after himself in his final ring appearance. Roy Jones has done likewise for this fight – temporarily at least – working with out Don King’s help.
“Roy explained to Don that he wanted to fulfil his dream of promoting the fight on his own with Joe,” Wirt continued. “Don was gracious enough to allow that to happen. We’re definitely open to doing business with Don in the future.”
And Jones definitely sees himself having a future in the ring, post-Calzaghe. Not only does the 39-year-old feel he will beat Calzaghe, but he also has plans to move back up to heavyweight afterwards!
Speaking to ESPN, Jones had the following to say.
“They call [WBC heavyweight champion] Samuel Peter ‘The Nightmare,'” Roy said. “I’ll give him a nightmare. I like to do stuff people don’t think I can’t do. But I’m really looking forward to fighting Joe first.”
It is clear the desire and motivation to reclaim his former greatness is as strong as ever in Jones. Indeed, the Floridian spoke of how a win over Calzaghe will get him back to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings he used to dominate a few years ago.
“I think Joe is a true champion,” Jones declared. “I want to get back to the pound-for-pound list and this is the shortcut. I beat Joe, I’m back on top.”
The fight between Calzaghe, 45-0(32) and Jones, 52-4(38) is almost sure to be a sell-out and a huge event. Let’s hope the bout delivers and is in no way a letdown.