CALZAGHE, JONES CLASH TODAY
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Nov 2008
NEW YORK -- Joe Calzaghe of the United Kingdom and Roy Jones, Jr. of the United States will ignite fireworks to the cold New York weather tonight (Sunday morning in Manila) when the two clash at the fabled Madison Square Garden in downtown Manhattan here.
Calzaghe (45-0 32KOs), 'The Pride of Wales' who ruled the super middleweight division during the last 10 years and is considered by some as today's real pound for pound king above the Filipino firebrand Manny Pacquiao, will try to reinforce his big win against Bernard Hopkins last April and cement a lasting legacy as perhaps the greatest boxer to come out from the British Isles.
Comebacking Roy Jones, Jr. (52-4 38KOs) was everyone's pound for pound king before his two loses against the 'Magic Man' Antonio Tarver and a disastrous KO loss to Glen Johnson. With his legacy quite established, a win over the undefeated Calzaghe will be more like a statement that the 39-year-old Jones still has the speed and cleverness that caused trouble at his every opponent during his peak years.
Calzaghe and Jones, who will clash at light heavyweight, both came in at 174.5 lbs during yesterday's weighin at the Madison Square Garden.
When asked by Michael Buffer for a brief statement after the weighin, Joe Calzaghe promised an exciting fight. "I'm excited. It's going to be a great fight, Madison Square Garden is a great place and you're going to see one awesome show," said the 36-year-old Calzage, "and I will still be undefeated at 46 and 0."
Roy Jones, who was mobbed by the crowd when entered and exited the arena, for his part said "this is going to be the best fight this year, cheer your man on, Roy Jones is back."
Calzaghe, who is in the twilight of his hall-of-fame career, talked about retiring after this fight and losing is not an option. "The road has been long and we're getting to the final hurdle," Calzaghe's father and trainer, Enzo, told the media earlier. "He (Joe Calzaghe) will not, under any circumstances, fail on the last hurdle."
A loss to Jones however, will more likely result in a mega-rematch with Cardiff, the capital of Wales, as the most likely venue.
Top photo: Joe Calzaghe of UK (L) and Roy Jones, Jr. of the US pose for the photographers after yesterday's weighin at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
Wed, 31 Dec 2025Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Donaire awaits WBA order
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
Tue, 30 Dec 2025Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
Sun, 28 Dec 2025