Boxing / David Croft / 07 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Politicans across the globe are clamouring to claim Barack Obama as one of their own but David Croft's effort takes some beating - he claims the President elect is a Hammer! Below, our man in New York offers his ringside preview of Joe Calzaghe's final fight.

It's been some week here in New York. Even for those used to the madness of the Big Apple the last few days will take some beating - to be present in Times Square when they announced that Barack Obama would be the 44th President was just incredible. I tried to tell my newfound American friends that to have a West Ham fan as the new commander in chief was truly an honour but that fact was lost on the locals I have to say.

And so after the celebrations have now died down it's time for the 'superpowers to collide' - or so the pre-fight hype would have you believe. Joe Calzaghe against Roy Jones, the first fight in boxing history to be sorted out via text message, or so the two boxers claimed at the press conference on Wednesday. A press conference that was so 'nice' it could have been chaired by the local vicar. I half expected afternoon tea to be served such was the civility on display. Only Enzo Calzaghe - Joe's father and trainer - tried to stoke up some animosity, but it came across more funny than fury and prompted Joe to tug at his Dad's shirt in a bid to get him to sit down.

To be honest this is a fight that doesn't need any of the normal hype associated with the big bouts. To me the beauty of the contest is that both boxers, legends of the sport, want to get together and put on a display that will define both latter stages of their respective careers. Jones wants to prove to the world that the speed and power that made him the best pound for pound fighter of the 90's hasn't deserted him for good, while Joe wants to preserve that undefeated record against a man who has been on his radar for a long, long time.

Jones spoke well of his pride at what his nation had witnessed this week and how it would spur him on in the 'Garden' on Saturday night, insisting as well that he hadn't been in such good shape for many years. Whilst Joe remarked on how 'humble' he felt to be stepping in the ring at this Mecca of Boxing against one of the greatest fighters there has ever been. Like I said it was a civil and respectful conference.

However, once the bell rings don't expect this to be boxings version of the gentlemen's excuse me. There's no reason for either boxer to go hiding in my mind and that could give us a cracking contest. Just looking at Roy Jones it's clear that he's an old 39, the knockdowns against Johnson and Tarver appear to have taken their toll and whilst he might claim to be in excellent shape, I'm not so sure.

He needs to impose himself early on, the longer the fight goes on the more you'd expect it to swing in Calzaghe's favour. So Roy should come out fighting, which of course will suit Calzaghe, a man who likes his opponents to come at him.

Calzaghe detractors will say that the Welshman no longer has the punching power he once possessed, that his hands are too brittle to hit hard. From what I'm told his work on the pads in the build up to this fight has been excellent and he's been using full force, hardly the display of a man worried that his hands won't stand up to the job. Maybe he'll have lost a little of his speed but he's hardly been overworked recently, the win over Hopkins was back in April and he's fought only twice a year since 2003.

Stamina won't be a problem but what Calzaghe does have to watch for is leaving himself exposed to the counter punch. As Jones says: 'He can hit me with ten little pit pat punches, but ten of those equals one big shot from me." Rest assured the eight time champion will be waiting to unleash.

It's been a long time coming this fight and for me it will be worth the wait for Joe Calzaghe. Against a Roy Jones back in his prime I wouldn't have given the Welshman much of a chance but I'm not sure we'll see the Jones of old on Saturday night.

My co-commentator Richie Woodhall, one of only two men to have fought both Jones and Calzaghe, gives it to Joe on points - Betfair offer a best price of [2.06] on that eventuality. I'm going to be bolder and go for a Calzaghe to stop the American in the ninth - Betfair offer a best price [36.0] and [1.5] that there will be a knockdown at any time. Should Calzaghe triumph it will be a fitting end to a magnificent career.

Will he retire? Judging by his comments this week I'd say, yes. He knows the time is right and after beating Jones, who else is out there for him to put his unbeaten record on the line for. One of Britain's greatest fighters, he should be more than able to keep up with the Jones'.