Calzaghe Split - Strange Timing by Thomas Rooney Jun 25th 2008

Joe Calzaghe has split with his long term promoter Frank Warren. Considering he only has one fight left in his successful career, this seems a strange decision, or more specifically – strange timing. However it appears that the Welshman wants to promote his final fight himself, ending a partnership with Warren that has lasted over twelve years. There is no doubting the success that Calzaghe has had under the promotion of Warren. He has become the undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world and has maintained his unbeaten professional record. The most memorable fights in this time, for me, being against Chris Eubank, Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler and Bernard Hopkins. Following his points victory over Hopkins in Las Vegas a couple of months ago, Calzaghe knows he is ‘big box office' in America and will capitalise on this one last time. It is becoming more and more obvious that his intended opponent for his swansong is Roy Jones Jr and now that Calzaghe is calling the shots himself – I expect this to be the case. You can stop all boxing bets on this one as far as I'm concerned. I think the obvious reason that Calzaghe has choosen now to end his partnership with Warren is based around money issues. Calzaghe knows that the spectacle of a fight against a legend such as Roy Jones Jr will bring him one last big pay day and quite simply, he doesn't want Warren getting a significant cut of this. There are many people criticising Calzaghe for this and for choosing Jones as his final opponent. Many believe he is just chasing the money and in doing so, avoiding fellow unbeaten fighter Kelly Pavlik. The Pavlik camp certainly feels that Calzaghe is ‘running scared' of the big hitting American. Although if Calzaghe is certain that he only has one last fight in him, he is going to want to finish with a well paid victory. Not a potential defeat. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people would like to see Calzaghe v Pavlik but it is simply not going to happen. Calzaghe is a British boxing legend and won't let a big talking American like Pavlik influence what will be the last fight of his long career. You would bet on Joe Calzaghe to beat Roy Jones Jr, that's for sure. He may have been voted ‘Boxer of the decade' for the 1990's, but that was quite some time ago now. Jones is 39-years-old and is considered by some a ‘spent force'. This fight ticks all the boxes for Calzaghe – it's a fight against a boxing great, he will probably win and he will get paid a huge amount of money for doing so. Throw in the fact that the fight will probably take place in Calzaghe's home town of Cardiff – it is the perfect way to finish.

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Jones Danger Jun 26th 2008, 07:05:16 by theword I actually think that Jones is still more dangerous than people think. He has the punch to stop Calzaghe, he has no fear of losing - and no pressure on him. Calzaghe on the other hand...   Facts Jun 25th 2008, 18:33:40 by cartman Anyone who says FACT after a fight prediction is an idiot. But then Folie can't spell lose anyway   JC SHOULD NOT FIGHT RJJ Jun 25th 2008, 10:49:54 by aksel I hope Roy Jones JR does not fight JC, RJJ is 40 yrs of age, if slappy as good as he and his father say he is, then fight Pavlik, a hungry up and coming fighter... but that will never happen, because its about $£$£ and neesh else... and he will loose to the ghost, FACT! Regards Folie