Calzaghe gets up to beat Jones Jr

Eurosport - Sun, 09 Nov 17:01:00 2008

Joe Calzaghe survived a scare to defend his Ring Magazine Light-Heavyweight Championship title from Roy Jones Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York City by unanimous decision.

BOXING GETTY Joe Calzaghe with kids after beating Roy Jones Junior - 0

Calzaghe was caught early with a clean left jab from Jones, who followed up with a right to put the Welsh fighter on the canvas and force a count.

Calzaghe, who is now unbeaten throughout a career spanning 46 fights, had suffered a similar scare against Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas earlier this year.

"He caught me with good shot," he said afterwards. "I didn't see the punch coming: it was like déjà vu. It was a shaky start.

"It's the fourth time I've been down and come back stronger. That's what it's all about. When you are put on the floor, there is not much time to think: I tried to keep my head clear and use my footwork.

"I adapted and I think I won every round after that. I showed what a true champion is about."

Calzaghe, 36, had a cut on the bridge of his nose that caused concern among the travelling hordes of British fans, but he took the fight to Jones - now 52-5, with 38 KOs - from that moment on.

Forcing his opponent on to the ropes time after time, Calzaghe rained blows upon Jones's body as the Floridian guarded his face closely. Calzaghe kept his face just behind Jones's guard as he tried to tempt him out.

That allowed the 39-year-old American to connect with the occasional clean blow, the most notable being a deadly right uppercut in the sixth round that rippled Calzaghe's jaw.

By that point Calzaghe was clearly ahead, having adopted a loose style with his guard down - he threw nearly a thousand punches during the fight.

"That's my style: sometimes I feel more relaxed with my hands by my side," he explained. "It gives me different angles and combinations.

"It is very hard to fight my style because I have so many of them."

The pivotal moment of the bout arrived in the seventh, when a massive left from Calzaghe went straight through to Jones's eye and opened a deep cut.

Almost immediately there was blood all over the latter's face and chest, while a great deal also ended up on Calzaghe's body and gloves during the remainder of the fight, staining the white parts of his get-up.

However referee Hubert Earle allowed the fight to continue without interruption. Jones continued to battle with a slightly more attacking approach as he realised he would have to KO Calzaghe to win.

"At the end of the day Jones is a wicked fighter," Calzaghe added. "He was fighting through it, rubbing his eye - he's a warrior.

"Roy will always be my friend: I've got the utmost respect for the guy.

"I've beaten two legends in Hopkins and Roy Jones in America, in Vegas and New York - I took the risk and came out on top."

If Calzaghe, as expected, calls it a day after this latest triumph, no one could blame him. It was a monumental battle, one which had most of the fans inside the famous New York venue on their feet in homage to both fighters at the start and end of the final round.

Both responded in the final seconds by saluting the crowd; yet after the expected decision was announced - with all three judges giving it to Calzaghe by a margin of 118-109 - neither confirmed that it would be last time they would appear in a ring.

"I have to sit down and think about it," Calzaghe said as he thanked his supporters. "This could be my last fight, but I won't make a decision yet."

Jones said: "I'm not sure. I'll go and talk to my friends and family and see how I feel.

"I came and did my best, gave my all, and he won. Congratulations to him: he caught me with a good shot.

"I have found a measure of redemption, coming back from three losses in a row - that is very difficult."

Veteran Jones, regarded as one of the greatest boxers of the modern era, secured points decisions over journeymen Prince Ajamu and Anthony Henshaw in his last two fights.

He suffered two devastating knockout losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in 2004 before Tarver beat him again in 2005 on points.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

Comment 57 - 76 of 116

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  1. Lennox Lewis only boxed for Canada because he moved­ there whilst young and with his family hewas born in­ England and is English you know those americans got­ their arse whipped

    From alan.darlow, on Sun 9 Nov 10:36PM

  2. That display by Joe was a masterclass in boxing and­ fighting.He beats everyone put in front of him and you­ cant do more than that.First person to cut jones as­ well and what a chin he has.All you yanks with your­ negative comments better wise up or look stupid,even­ being ignorant cant be used as an excuse after this­ beating of your boy.Dawson will get licked as well.

    From DAVID, on Sun 9 Nov 10:22PM

  3. Hi :-)
    I'm not from any english talking­ country..(the reason for my spelling :-)
    Ali isen't­ undefeated either but still the greatest ever. If Joe­ met Jones 10 years ago or Kessler without broken bones,­ then his record list would be slightly different­ today.. I still feel dammed about Kessler meeting Joe­ with broken bones, but that's history. Look at the­ fight again, Kesseler allmost hiding his right hand at­ the back, protecting it, trying to fight with only his­ left hand. Would be nice to see a rematch with Kessler­ using both hands.

    From a61971, on Sun 9 Nov 9:37PM

  4. joe you are the only man to ever bring a tear to my eye­ fella. Watta guy. now go and get fat and enjoy your­ family!!!!!!!!!!

    From Jamie L, on Sun 9 Nov 9:32PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A6971. 69:
    HA HA HA, NO ONE INSIDE ENGLAND CAN CLAIM AN­ UNDEFEATED CHAMPION EITHER!!! EVERY BOXWR YOU GOT­ APPART FROM HATTON IS FOREIGN SO P#SS OFF, EVEN HATTON­ TRIED USA AND FAILED.

    From p.marshall76, on Sun 9 Nov 9:21PM

  6. Its like listening to silly children and not sensible­ adults, what does it matter hes british, and it was a­ great fight,to come back like he did after the 1st­ round and we all should be proud of him...and not­ talkin a load of @#$%..

    From Maria, on Sun 9 Nov 9:19PM

  7. Kessler had the balls to meet Joe with broken bones and­ out of shape,- in Joe's hometown cave. Joe had been­ avoiding this match for years, it was the only shoot at­ it for Kessler. If Joe had these balls, he would have­ meet Jones 10 years ago,- but no, that was in Joe 20­ year long "won't leave home" period. A­ fitt Kessler would sweep the floor with this head-butt­ holding Joe. His jab?? Can't hurt my mum.

    From a61971, on Sun 9 Nov 9:14PM

  8. Clint this would not of started if it was not for­ Mathew s. 56: comments. So before passing your comments­ read the facts before jumping the gun, i no JOE CLEARLY­ WON THE FIGHT, JUST AS WALES WON THE­ GRANDSLAM!!!!!!!!!!!

    From p.marshall76, on Sun 9 Nov 9:09PM

  9. ARE SCHOOLBOYS WRITING THESE COMMENTS ??? YOU'RE­ ALL OFF THE MARK,,, A BRITISH BOXER WON !!!
    IN­ AFGHANISTAN WELSH,IRISH,ENGLISH & SCOTS ARE ALL­ FIGHTING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER FOR THE U.K.
    JESUS CHRIST­ YOU'RE SO CHILDISH. & THE GRAMMER IS A JOKE­ ;)
    JOE CALZAGHE UK CHAMPION OF THE WORLD.

    From PAUL L, on Sun 9 Nov 9:09PM

  10. mathem m

    you can say the same thing as lennox lewis­ he was claimed by the english even though he is­ canadian

    From cellan j, on Sun 9 Nov 9:05PM

  11. Yes, Kessler accepted his loss. Fair. But everyone­ knows that it was 100% Joe against 40% Kessler. No-one­ outside England thinks of Joe as anything but a fast,­ but weak head-butting holding fighter,- know securing­ his grandchildren, meeting over-the-to fighters like­ Jones. He is no Leonard or Ali. And he was very very­ very lucky that Kessler has broken bones in his hand,­ stopping him from training.

    From a61971, on Sun 9 Nov 9:03PM

  12. p.marshall76 Stop this nationalistic anti English­ nonsense. England and Wales are part of the UK. Joe is­ welsh. He is also British. Don't start the Wales v­ Enlgand idiocy, and especially don't embarass­ yourself by attacking England's history of World­ Title holders compared to Wales.
    And as for a61971.­ Well, you begger belief mate. Kessler had his chance­ and blew it.He accepts it, so should you. Joe jabbed­ his head off. And if you think Bhop beat Joe then you­ clearly have never stepped foot in a boxing ring. Its­ boxing, not wrestling. You win points on the 10 point­ must system, meaning you MUST show aggression. Bhop­ spoiled and held and wanted out after 10 rounds.

    From Clint.Magnum, on Sun 9 Nov 8:54PM

  13. ceelan j.63: perfect words about them 2 clowns, i take­ my hat off to you.

    mathew s. Michael owen was born in­ wales so was ryan giggs who played for england 15s.
    by­ the way i believe the true englishman is a celt?
    mot a­ Saxon???????look it up

    From p.marshall76, on Sun 9 Nov 8:51PM

  14. NEW YORK (AP) -- Undefeated Welshman Joe Calzaghe­ overcame a first-round knockdown to beat Roy Jones Jr.­ in a bloody, unanimous decision Saturday night,­ delighting a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden in­ what Calzaghe claims will be his final bout.

    CNN

    From Saw, on Sun 9 Nov 8:49PM

  15. Joe Calzaghe is Welsh.... I am English.... does it­ matter? he is british and we are all proud of him. he­ is a true champion and fair play to the guy he has my­ uttmost respect. the whole of WALES and ENGLAND are­ proud of him.

    From jon, on Sun 9 Nov 8:46PM

  16. You cant choose your nationality.... Your born with it­ !!! Look the word up in the dictionary !!!

    From matthew s, on Sun 9 Nov 8:41PM

  17. hodgy

    that shows how dumb you really are the welsh­ and the scots are the real people of this country the­ english are the foreign invaders you idiot

    mathew m­

    calzaghe says he is a proud welsh man so what he was­ born in london owen hargreaves was born in canada but­ do you english go you cant say you are a proud­ englishman ?

    From cellan j, on Sun 9 Nov 8:39PM

  18. mathew i have looked at the facts Joe would rather be­ WELSH than English. thats were hes from WALES sadly­ just born in London,his choice to be welsh dumbo,not­ mine or your's. The man chosed this before he was­ champion, get a grip and find your own champion. infact­ how many champions have England got????

    From p.marshall76, on Sun 9 Nov 8:31PM

  19. After this fantastic show, Joe must be ready for the­ ultimate fight. They must put gloves on Ali, and then­ we can see another incredibel fight from Joe. Let's­ see a rematch between Joe and Kessler, Kessler was only­ at 40% of his best, not beeing able to train for the­ last month before match. Joe will never be known as a­ great fighter, his showboating and lack of power will­ forever mark him as a very fast, smart but harmless­ fighter. To me he is a female boxer. I'm sorry,­ I'm not a fan, there is missing something. He is­ still miles away from the true champs, and most people­ think he lost to Hopkins, and I believe that a fit­ Kessler would throw him around like a women. Kessler­ just had the balls to meet Joe at his hometrack,­ knowing that he was far far from fit. If Joe had these­ balls he would have met Jones 10 years ago.......

    From a61971, on Sun 9 Nov 8:31PM

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    From go to www.premiership.altervista.org, on Sun 9 Nov 8:23PM
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