On July 22 Joe Calzaghe's lawyer Gareth Williams confirmed that the super-fight planned between his client and Roy Jones, Jr. for September 20 at Madison Square Gardens is off.
The WBO Super-Middleweight champ has injured his right hand in training, and so will not have sufficient time to prepare for the bout. With the fight at one point rumored to act as the curtain call to cap the epic careers of both men, where will the two great warriors go from here?
Having at first belittled the idea of a fight with WBC and WBO Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, more recently Calzaghe suggested that after his bout with Jones, he would be keen to take on the Youngstown "Ghost."
Though his initial rejection caused some to accuse Calzaghe of ducking the red-hot Pavlik and taking the easy option, it seems the fire still burns in the heart of the "Italian Dragon." The sport's longest reigning world champion has seemed eager for more challenges, and to do whatever he can to ensure his place in the sport's Parthenon of greats.
Calzaghe has had a history of hand injuries throughout his boxing career, and this latest recurrence has come at a very inconvenient time. With the prospect of two exciting super-fights in the balance—and taking into account Joe's propensity for problems with his hands—one must question how he will change his plans from here.
The news is potentially even more worrying for Roy Jones, Jr. Having fought only once annually since 2005, the great Jones is still looking for that one last hurrah.
While we await further news detailing the seriousness of Calzaghe's injury, we are left to wonder what will become of the planned bout, and what possible alternatives remain for both heroes.
4 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Bryan Trafford 11 months ago
I read that its been pushed back till november. I hope it still takes place though, it will draw in a lot of fans that aren't really hardcore boxing fans.
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David Reyes 11 months ago
November 8
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Curly Morris 11 months ago
Lucky for Roy, he'd better duck this fight anyway possible.
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David Reyes 11 months ago
I disagree, although it's clear that Roy isn't the same -- he still easily has the skill and smarts to hand Slappy Happy Joe his first "L" -- this might be the first fighter that Joe fights that's faster and a lot more accurate than he is.
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