Boxing: US big hitters ready for Calzaghe

Jan 19 2008 by Gareth Jones, South Wales Echo

TWO of the legends of boxing meet tonight in New York – and each is hoping victory will secure him a fight with Joe Calzaghe.

It is a mark of how the Welshman’s reputation has grown, following his triumphs over Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler, that Roy Jones Jr and Felix Trinidad are falling over themselves to face him.

Two years ago American fighters were dismissing Calzaghe as a hometown hero whose long reign as WBO super-middle king was devalued by a perceived lack of big-name victims and a reluctance to travel. Now he is the man they all want to share a ring with.

With Joe’s fight with another immortal, Bernard Hopkins, widely tipped for Las Vegas in April but still not officially confirmed – Sports Network have warned fans to wait before buying travel-and-ticket packages already being advertised – Jones is even willing to cross the Atlantic to push his case to replace ‘The Executioner’.

“If Joe wants Roy Jones Jr and the Hopkins fight ain’t done by Sunday, I’m going,” said the Florida fighter this week.

“If I do what I feel like I’m going to do Saturday night, then come Sunday morning I’m going straight to Wales.”

Four-weight world champion Jones, 39 this week, forecasts a knockout win over 35-year-old Trinidad, himself a belt-holder in three divisions, but inactive since losing to ‘Winky’ Wright in May 2005.

Despite a historic refusal to travel some put down to the infamous judging which cost him Olympic gold in Seoul, Roy insisted he would face Calzaghe in Cardiff.

“He’s got the titles, so I have to go and get them,” he conceded. “To beat Joe, you’re going to have to knock him out. He’s far too busy for anyone to go 12 rounds and expect to get a decision against him.”

With tonight’s non-title bout made at 12st 2lb – two pounds over the super-middle limit – Trinidad also sees victory as a route to Wales.

“Joe Calzaghe is in my vision and in my future,” said the Puerto Rican. “I’ll go after him too.”

echo.sport@mediawales.co.uk