Calzaghe: The Jones fight could still be in Cardiff

[Kirkland Laing]

Hatton and Calzaghe are competing for British fight fans to go to their US shows. Hatton's dad hilariously claimed last week that Ricky was going to Vegas, a more expensive/time-taking destination, "for the fans" when in reality he's fighting in Vegas "for the money." Calzaghe took advantage of this to point out that he was fighting in NY because it was cheaper than Vegas and the thing about the fight possibly being in Cardiff is to cover his arse should the Hattons fire back at him for having his last fight abroad.


There's no economic sense in fighting in a 19 000 capacity arena for Calzaghe/Jones when they could sell 70 000 tickets in Wales and it's two dollars to the pound. I heard Steve Bunce claim that MSG are offering a site fee but even if they offered $100 a seat that's only a million quid, peanuts versus 50 000 extra seats in Wales and why would they do that anyway, they're not philanthropists. I think it's because HBO think they need to turn this fight into an "event" with a 24/7 show and everything and need to hold it at the Mecca of boxing to make a lot of US PPV buys. I think they looked at the Jones vs. Trinidad numbers and thought that for their potential customers the names sell the fight even if they're past it, hence Calzaghe versus Jones at MSG.

[Mar]

I'd prefer a fair fight in cardiff, the amount of people and the enviroment over there would be crazy. I just don't think you could get one. But since roy said he'd have no problem going i'd like to see it over there. Especially if jones could go over there and pull a bradley. Just watch your belt at the airport.