As a loyal Roy Jones fan, I was overly optimistic going into his meeting with Joe Calzaghe. I wanted to believe that his losses (by violent knockout) to Tarver and Johnson were an anomoly. Roy said they were a result of dropping weight following his historic win over John Ruiz to claim a heavyweight belt. I wanted to think that his pummeling of a well past his prime Felix Trinidad was a notable victory and a signal that he was back.
And for some reason, I didn`t believe Calzaghe could handle him. I was still unsure as to what had happened when Joe had met B Hop.
Here is a textbook example of how nostalgia can overcome reason and logic:
"Fight Night this Saturday at Madison Square Garden, the "mecca of boxing." Undefeated Joe Calzaghe takes on Roy Jones Jr. for Super Joe`s light heavyweight belt. Unfortunately, this fight comes 10 pounds higher and at least 10 years later than it should have.
Back then, Jones was considered the best pound for pound in the world and had won belts in three divisions, including at heavyweight from John Ruiz. It was this fight and the subsequent weight loss to return to light heavy that Roy has blamed for his upset knockout losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. Since then, Jones has retreated out of the spotlight and seemingly recharged his battery. In his recent win over a washed up Tito Trinidad, he exhibited some of his remarkable hand speed and managed to knock Felix down several times. At 39, Jones is well past his prime, and there are lingering questions as to whether he can handled punches at 175 pounds.
Joe Calzaghe has built on his impressive undefeated record with several signature wins. In his dismantling of Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy, he demonstrated his trademark high volume of punches to a new American audience. In his super middleweight unification fight against Mikkel Kessler, he weathered hard shots, namely rights and uppercuts, to claim Kessler`s belts and give the Dane his first loss. More recently, Calzaghe beat Bernard Hopkins for his light heavyweight belt in his first fight in America. Although I thought at the time that Hopkins won the fight, it was close and could have gone either way. Calzaghe is currently recognized as the champion at both super middleweight and light heavyweight as well as the second best pound for pound by Ring Magazine. At 36, he is looking to retire with a big win over future Hall of Famer.
Bernard Hopkins recent schooling of undefeated Kelly Pavlik has shown that you can`t count out these older fighters, especially those as talented as Hopkins and Jones. Hopkins was also able to put Calzaghe down in the first round with a sneaky right hand. Jones is faster and hits harder than Hopkins, even at 39.
Calzaghe`s well known hand speed and punch output could overwhelm Roy. His sheer volume of punches is usually enough to win rounds in most judges eyes, even if those punches do not do much damage. Although only three years younger than Roy, Joe has showed no signs of a decline in his ability.
I expect Joe to be cautious initially, until he feels he is capable of handling Roy`s speed and power. Once he is comfortable, Calzaghe should use his game plan of swarming offense to win rounds. This fight should go the distance, most likely leaving the decision in the hands of the judges. While Calzaghe has managed to avoid defeat with quick hands and a high work rate, he has not fought a fighter of Jones` caliber. Couple that with Jones quickness and expert counter punching, and Calzaghe could find himself on his back again.
I am going against the heavily favored Calzaghe, and predicting a close decision to Jones."
Back then, Jones was considered the best pound for pound in the world and had won belts in three divisions, including at heavyweight from John Ruiz. It was this fight and the subsequent weight loss to return to light heavy that Roy has blamed for his upset knockout losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. Since then, Jones has retreated out of the spotlight and seemingly recharged his battery. In his recent win over a washed up Tito Trinidad, he exhibited some of his remarkable hand speed and managed to knock Felix down several times. At 39, Jones is well past his prime, and there are lingering questions as to whether he can handled punches at 175 pounds.
Joe Calzaghe has built on his impressive undefeated record with several signature wins. In his dismantling of Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy, he demonstrated his trademark high volume of punches to a new American audience. In his super middleweight unification fight against Mikkel Kessler, he weathered hard shots, namely rights and uppercuts, to claim Kessler`s belts and give the Dane his first loss. More recently, Calzaghe beat Bernard Hopkins for his light heavyweight belt in his first fight in America. Although I thought at the time that Hopkins won the fight, it was close and could have gone either way. Calzaghe is currently recognized as the champion at both super middleweight and light heavyweight as well as the second best pound for pound by Ring Magazine. At 36, he is looking to retire with a big win over future Hall of Famer.
Bernard Hopkins recent schooling of undefeated Kelly Pavlik has shown that you can`t count out these older fighters, especially those as talented as Hopkins and Jones. Hopkins was also able to put Calzaghe down in the first round with a sneaky right hand. Jones is faster and hits harder than Hopkins, even at 39.
Calzaghe`s well known hand speed and punch output could overwhelm Roy. His sheer volume of punches is usually enough to win rounds in most judges eyes, even if those punches do not do much damage. Although only three years younger than Roy, Joe has showed no signs of a decline in his ability.
I expect Joe to be cautious initially, until he feels he is capable of handling Roy`s speed and power. Once he is comfortable, Calzaghe should use his game plan of swarming offense to win rounds. This fight should go the distance, most likely leaving the decision in the hands of the judges. While Calzaghe has managed to avoid defeat with quick hands and a high work rate, he has not fought a fighter of Jones` caliber. Couple that with Jones quickness and expert counter punching, and Calzaghe could find himself on his back again.
I am going against the heavily favored Calzaghe, and predicting a close decision to Jones."
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