Miami Herald boxing article by Santos Perez on Joe Calzaghe.

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Calzaghe takes out another legend

Posted on Mon, Nov. 10, 2008

BY SANTOS A. PEREZ

For one brief early moment, fight fans were given a glimpse of Roy Jones Jr. in his heyday.

A lightning-quick glancing blow dropped Joe Calzaghe to the canvas, reminiscent of a period when Jones ruled the sport and earned the distinction of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighter.

However, Jones’ productive first-round moment turned out to be fleeting.

Calzaghe shook off the knockdown, turned on the punch volume common of his unbeaten career and scored a lopsided unanimous decision over Jones late Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The victory further cements Calzaghe’s status as one of the best fighters of this era, while putting the Pensacola native closer to retirement.

”My power is in my recovery,” Calzaghe said. “Anyone can fall on the floor. How you recover is what matters.

“I’ve been knocked down before and when I get knocked down, I come back stronger.”

After winning his first 44 bouts in Europe, the Welsh native now has two noteworthy victories in the United States. Earlier this year, Calzaghe scored a split decision over Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas.

”This year I beat two legends in Hopkins and Jones, and I came to the United States to do it,” Calzaghe said.

Jones took a beating against Calzaghe. Jones, who turns 40 in two months, could not avoid Calzaghe’s multiple combinations throughout the fight.

”I knew I could fight fast with him,” Calzaghe said. “I’m just overwhelmed. I’m so happy.

“It’s an honor to fight Roy Jones. The guy is a wicked fighter.”

In the early rounds, Calzaghe was effective at pinning Jones (52-5) to the ropes and scoring with combinations to the body and the head.

Calzaghe landed a left to the head, which opened a cut on Jones’ left eyelid in the seventh round. The cut worsened into the late rounds, further slowing Jones’ attempt at a comeback.

Ringside physicians allowed Jones to continue fighting until the final bell, but the verdict was a foregone conclusion — Calzaghe won on all three judges’ scorecards 118-109.

”The guy was the better fighter tonight,” Jones said. “I got out of my game plan.”

Calzaghe was so confident with his performance he repeatedly taunted Jones, dropping his guard and wiggling his hips.

”I felt really relaxed with my hands at my side,” Calzaghe said. “That’s just my style, and I felt in the rhythm.”

Before the fight, Calzaghe talked about retiring with a victory but would not confirm it after the bout. Jones said he would talk with his representatives and family before deciding if he will continue fighting or retire after a 19-year professional career.

LOCAL CORNER

Miami promoter Henry Rivalta concludes a busy first year of cards with his eighth show November 19 at the Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium in Miami.

The announced 11-bout show will be headlined by Hollywood resident Ed Paredes. Paredes, who won a regional welterweight title with a second-round knockout in Rivalta’s previous show September 27, will face Harrison Cuello in a scheduled eight-round bout.

For information, call 305-220-1470.
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