Calzaghe vs Jones: Fight Result: Battle of Future Hall of Fame Fighters

Dropped in the first round by a left-right from Jones, Calzaghe won every subsequent round on the judges' scorecards. While no one can, justifiably, deny Calzaghe's accomplishment, it is also true that Jones may have finally succumbed to Father Time's call.

At one time the most athletic boxer in the world, Jones could land shots from any angle, avoid punches from any opponent, and rarely worried about losing a round, much less a fight. But tonight, Jones could barely keep his balance. Falling off to the side after throwing punches and tangling his own feet when trying to avoid Calzaghe's barrages was the norm for the November 8, 2008 version of Roy Jones.

When Jones wasn't falling off balance, he missed punches, sometimes short, sometimes off to the side, as he attempted the patented land-while -trying-to-escape maneuvers of yesteryear.

In truth, Jones landed 33% of his punches, according to Compubox. A respectable figure. But against Calzaghe, one needs to do more. How much more? Nobody really knows, since, in 46 fights, nobody has beaten him.

Joe Calzaghe is the worst kind of fighter to watch film of because he looks so beatable. His punches, though great in volume, don't appear to have much power. His hands are low, his chin appears more accessible than a fruit tree in the Garden of Eden, but his reflexes deny you and his punches swell you up and cut you. Roy Jones knows this. First hand.

Will Calzaghe or Jones Retire

Calzaghe can, if he chooses, retire undefeated, having finished his career by defeating two living legends of the sport: Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.

Or he could risk his undefeated record by accepting a rematch with Hopkins, who looked spectacular in defeating Kelly Pavlik, the reigning middleweight champion (their's was a non-title fight). Is that a fight the public wants to see? Maybe. But the fight they would love to see, is Calzaghe vs. Chad Dawson. Dawson is coming off of a lopsided victory over Antonio Tarver and is, at 26, the only top ten light heavyweight (he is largely considered the champion of the division) under 30.

The oddsmakers would probably have a Calzaghe/Dawson fight close to even, which may not seem fair considering Calzaghe's accomplishments. This is boxing, fairness has nothing to do with it.

Hall of Fame Careers

Whatever Calzaghe does, his future in the Hall of Fame is assured. The same is true of Jones, who hinted at fighting again, but one hopes that he realizes the vanity of trying to fight on with his abilities so clearly diminished. Fighters like Jones should be remembered for their unique gifts and dazzling displays, not for pedestrian struggles.

We watched Jones in his prime because he was special. When the "special" is gone, all that's left is a kind of vulgar curiosity.

Nov 9, 2008 8:49 AM

Guest :

I think Calzaghe fougt two over the hill fighters in Jones/Hopkins.I think his true test would be Chad Dawson because he is a young polished fighter.

Nov 9, 2008 10:08 PM

Guest :

I find it very hard to respect Joe Calzahe because he's fought two over the hill great fighters in Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. I can remember when Calzahe fattened his fight record by fighting lesser opponents and not being willing to leave his home country.Calzahe is not a genuine Championship Immortal,worthy of "Iconic" status, because he chose to try and build his "super" status on over the hill guys and really lesser opponents. Eddie from Oregon

Nov 10, 2008 11:49 PM

Guest :

i believe joe calzaghe is an iconic boxer because he beat the shit out of jeff lacey for twelve rounds it showed that he is no joke he may not be a knock out artist but he beats knock out artists and that all that matters.......hopkins is no more over the hill than randy couture is.......age is no longer a factor in this day and age 40 is 20 now,in the case of hopkins i'd say he's got another year or two in him....witch is disappointing because i hate his fighting style......and in the case of jones he's done,im a florida boy and he is my boxing hero!!!!!however he's done,and lets face it,thats fine...his victorys in the 90's where iconic...he will be seen as one of the greatest of all times.......but......jones and hopkins are'nt push overs!!!!!!!.....these men are fighters and damn good ones show some respect.

Nov 12, 2008 3:38 PM

Guest :

When Roy was a younger fighter,he could showboat,but now if he wants to prolong his career,he has to be completely serious,and focused.I think he still has the ability,but he has to change his mindset.I fought as a hobby in my youth.He can do it,with a complete mindset adjustment!Really wish i could work with him! Benn floyd ATL

Dec 5, 2008 1:10 PM

Guest :

I readied to watch this fight not really commited to either fighter, I have always respected and liked them both. That said, I believe round 3 was the best and most amazing boxing display I've seen in 40+ years of being a fight fan. Calzaghe was, as Letterman exclaimed, just too good. Unbelievable display; down in the 1st from a Jones right (forearm, whatever, it hurt), rocked with a full glove facial again in the 2nd that literally knocked him away six feet and I thought "this is goin' be a short fight night". But.. as the third starts HBO pans in on Joe's GF nerviously doing the instinctual "I can't watch" praying position deal, all three announcers are all but giving the fight to Roy. and then Calzaghe proceeds to put on an awesome display of skill, reflexes and most importantly balls! He stuck his chin under Roy's high elbows, starred him in the eye and proceeded to turn him everyway but loose. By the end of that round, the fight had flipped 180 degrees and Joe continued with his normal, but amazing, volume of punches through the bell at the end of 12. Amazing fight... Isn't it great when all the hype actually pans...