Joe Calzaghe is confident
Sunday November 2,2008
By Niall Hickman
Joe Calzaghe has finally admitted a ‘Battle of Britain’ could go ahead, if both he and Carl Froch win their respective fights before the New Year.
Calzaghe faces Roy Jones Jnr in the small hours of next Sunday morning at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The Welshman has promised to retire from boxing afterwards but now insists he could be willing to delay hanging up his gloves to fight Froch.
Nottingham hero Froch tackles Jean Pascal for the WBC super-middleweight title on December 6 and an impressive victory could trigger a massive all-British showdown, possibly in Cardiff.
“I don’t think there is anything out there for me to prove any longer, but I think you should never say never in boxing,” said Calzaghe. “If Froch wins then who knows? I don’t think he is in my league as a fighter but he would have the WBC title and that is an honour. He’s decent but he has a very stand-up style and he’s easy to hit. He would be beaten, just like every fighter I’ve ever faced.”
Until now Calzaghe has been adamant the Jones fight would be his last, but now the door is ajar for Froch to face the ‘Pride of Wales.’
Nottingham Forest fanatic Froch, 30, would not flinch at going to Cardiff to for the big clash. “I’d be there like a shot,” he said. “My style is made to beat Calzaghe. I’d end his unbeaten run and send him into retirement. Everyone gets old eventually and Calzaghe, as his last performance against Bernard Hopkins showed, is getting past it.”
Calzaghe is hoping for win No 46 against Jones, an American sporting icon, but now 39 years of age and past his absolute prime.
“It’s a huge fight for me and it’s the first time I’ve appeared at Madison Square Garden,” said Calzaghe. “That’s motivation enough. I’d have loved to have fought Jones many years ago but this is still unfinished business.
“He is the only opponent out there who can give me a battle at light-heavyweight and yet, after beating Bernard Hopkins after stepping up from super-middle, I’m even more confident in my ability.
“Roy Jones likes to be a showman and he likes to dazzle which will play right into my hands. At least he won’t bore to tears everyone like Hopkins does. Jones comes to win and so do I which means it is going to be a terrific match-up.”
Former middle, super-middle, light-heavy and heavyweight world champion Jones is in the twilight of his career.
But after three straight losses in 2004 and 2005 he has recovered with three straight wins and in his last outing he delivered a near-perfect display in beating the once-great Felix Trinidad on points in January.
And Jones is supremely confident that he has the weapons to beat Calzaghe.
“I don’t have to match Joe’s output. I just have to find the punch to knock him out. I’ll win the fight – no question. I’m not certainhow, but I’m going to win it.
“Hopkins was too cautious with Calzaghe and that was his goal, to stay upright. My job is to come out of there with a victory.”
