It is often said that styles make fights in boxing. On Saturday November 8, when Roy Jones meets with Joe Calzaghe, we will see an excercise in contrast.While both fighters posses the requisite skill and stubborn ego necessary to survive and flourish on a championship level, you see immediately that that’s where the comparison ends. While confident in his own legacy Calzaghe is nowhere near a peacock or high porfile. he has silently amassed 15 years worth of victories which has place him in the company of boxing immortals. His 45-0 record is four victories shy of the 49-0 Rocky Marciano standard; he is also closing in on the Brown Bomber’s string of 25 successful title defenses.AllHipHop got with Calzaghe in the days leading up to his showdown with Roy Jones. He got straight to the point.
AllHipHop: You’ve taken a lot
of criticism for this fight, with people calling Jones a past prime legend.
However, people seem to forget you defeated two young, highly touted undefeated
champions in Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler. Do you think those wins won’t get
the credit they deserve unless those two go on to post great wins, like Hopkins
just did against Pavlik?
Joe Calzaghe: All I can do is beat the opponents that are
put in front of me. I am proud of my career and I think those wins speak for
themselves.
AllHipHop: You’ve on record said that Roy Jones
was shot after his back to back KO losses and subsequent performances. What did
you see from him that made you change your mind and take this bout?
Joe Calzaghe: He has had three excellent fights to put him
back in position for this bout. After those disappointments, I kept
watching and saw that he was back to fighting at a top level. He
is still a legendary champion who I am looking forward to fighting
Saturday night.
AllHipHop: Your last handful of bouts has silenced a
lot of critics who questioned your ability and legacy, but that did not happen
until 2006. What fights do you wish you wouldn’t have missed out on in your
younger years?
Joe
Calzaghe:
I can’t look backon my career and I believe things happen for a reason. Sometimes I do wish
I could have fought Jones before, but it is finally here. I am
excited and look forward to the fight.
AllHipHop.com: Some fans seem to think you’ve had an easy
run throughout your 15 year career. Who were your most difficult opponents and
why?
Joe Calzaghe: All fights are battles but I am most
proud of my victories over Eubanks, Lacy, Kessler and Hopkins. They were
all hard fights and big challenges for me, and I came out victorious which
obviously makes me feel great.
AllHipHop: You’ve been emphatic that this is your last
bout. Assuming you are again victorious, what further involvement do you see
for yourself, if any, in boxing world after retirement?
Joe Calzaghe: First I am going on vacation and will spend
time with my family. Then I will stay around boxing as a promoter as I
already am working with some young fighters that train in our gym back home. I
am looking forward to life out of the ring and will figure it out as it
comes.
AllHipHop: What are the most
difficult things you’ll have to deal with from this version of Roy Jones?
I have prepared
and am ready for his speed. I have trained hard and can adjust to
anything that comes my way on fight night. I will see when the fight
starts what I will need to do to come away with a victory. I can adapt to
anything and I refuse to lose. That is motivation enough to be able to
handle whatever Roy brings into the ring.
