Thread: Calzaghe: The Jones fight could still be in Cardiff

JOE CALZAGHE insists the final fight of his career against Roy Jones Jr could still take place at the Millennium Stadium.

Calzaghe wants to bow out of boxing on home soil and would love to face Jones in front of more than 60,000 fans in Cardiff.

And while Jones claims the bout will take place in New York at Madison Square Garden on September 20, Calzaghe has revealed neither the venue or date have been confirmed.
The Welshman, who is currently in Sardinia before returning to training, said: "Speculation about me this week has been amazing.

"First and foremost, let me give you the latest on my fight with Roy Jones Jr. My position is simple, it's the fight I want and it's going to happen.

"I do not wish to fight again in Las Vegas if at all possible. We've been to Vegas, we beat Bernard Hopkins and it was a brilliant experience.

"It's a big ask for my fans to go all the way to Vegas as generally it involves connecting flights and isn't exactly an easy place to go to on a budget!

"But nothing is signed and sealed, obviously that would be impossible because I haven't even been in the country.

"My first choice is to fight in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium, in front of my home supporters who I believe would fill the entire stadium. I can't be much clearer on that.

"A gate of 60,000 plus would be phenomenal for my last ever fight. Again, I can only repeat this really is it for me, I want to bow out at the top.
"My second choice is to fight at Madison Square Garden in New York, the Manhattan arena famed around the world as a venue of champions.

"It's been called the 'Mecca' of sport and it would be an honour to fight there.

"I have expressed my desire to fight in NYC for many years. I also think I would be very well received in the Big Apple.
"It is far easier, and a bit cheaper as well, to get to New York rather than Vegas. The flight is shorter and accommodation ranges in price to a bigger degree.

"If the date of September 20 turns out to be correct, it's also not set in stone, then of course I will be ready and in the best possible shape."
Calzaghe, 36, stepped up to light-heavyweight for the first time in April when he picked up a split-points decision over Hopkins.

The clash in Las Vegas was widely regarded as Calzaghe's toughest but the undefeated ace insists Jones will provide an even stiffer test.
He added: "Roy Jones is a much harder fight than Hopkins.

"People might think Jones is past his best but he beat Felix Trinidad in January and for me he looked incredibly sharp.

"The guy is a four-weight world champion, formerly the No1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

"I can see no more fitting way to end my career than to go in with a great champion.

"But as yet I still can't confirm a date or a venue — and neither can anyone else."





"People might think Jones is past his best but he beat Felix Trinidad in January and for me he looked incredibly sharpe"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AWDtzdAYTOA Skip to 6:30