Calzaghe set to say bye after Jones fight

NEW YORK – Undefeated Welshman Joe Calzaghe talked about walking away from the ring for good after his light-heavyweight showdown here next month against US legend Roy Jones, but might not be able to do it.

The 36-year-old southpaw will carry a 45-0 record with 32 knockouts into his November 8 bout at Madison Square Garden against Jones, 52-4 with 38 knockouts. “I’ve been boxing for 25 years.I just feel like I don’t want to do this any more,” Calzaghe said Tuesday.”I’ve basically beaten everybody there is to beat and I don’t think there is anything to achieve.I don’t do rematches.”As far as I’m concerned I’ve fought the best fighters that are out there to fight.”Calzaghe, a former super-middleweight champion who surrendered his crowns to fight Jones, won a 12-round split decision over Bernard Hopkins last April at Las Vegas in the Welshman’s first fight outside Europe.Hopkins, 43, defeated previously unbeaten Kelly Pavlik last Saturday to help prove Calzaghe’s point that fighting Pavlik was not the best move for him.”For everybody who said I just beat an old man, he showed he’s still a great fighter.I’d like to say I told you all,” Calzaghe said.”I’m looking forward to this fight.It’s probably going to be my last fight so I want to go down in history as an undefeated champion.”Jones, 39, dominated the light-heavyweight ranks for years before losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in 2004 and 2005.Jones bounced back with two tune-up wins and a unanimous decision win over Felix Trinidad here in January.”In the past 20 years, we’re the two biggest fighters, especially at light heavyweight,” Calzaghe said.”He’s going to come in shape.He has come back from his defeat.I have to make sure I’m in good form.I believe I have the energy to come in and break him down in the second half of the fight.He’s a dangerous fighter.”Calzaghe is confident in his fitness after weeks of workouts.Calzaghe expects the support of British fight fans in the arena on fight night despite tough economic times.Calzaghe would not nail shut the door on more fights, however, but he wasn’t sure about what it would take to make him fight again.Nampa-AFP”I’ve been boxing for 25 years.I just feel like I don’t want to do this any more,” Calzaghe said Tuesday.”I’ve basically beaten everybody there is to beat and I don’t think there is anything to achieve.I don’t do rematches.”As far as I’m concerned I’ve fought the best fighters that are out there to fight.”Calzaghe, a former super-middleweight champion who surrendered his crowns to fight Jones, won a 12-round split decision over Bernard Hopkins last April at Las Vegas in the Welshman’s first fight outside Europe.Hopkins, 43, defeated previously unbeaten Kelly Pavlik last Saturday to help prove Calzaghe’s point that fighting Pavlik was not the best move for him.”For everybody who said I just beat an old man, he showed he’s still a great fighter.I’d like to say I told you all,” Calzaghe said.”I’m looking forward to this fight.It’s probably going to be my last fight so I want to go down in history as an undefeated champion.”Jones, 39, dominated the light-heavyweight ranks for years before losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in 2004 and 2005.Jones bounced back with two tune-up wins and a unanimous decision win over Felix Trinidad here in January.”In the past 20 years, we’re the two biggest fighters, especially at light heavyweight,” Calzaghe said.”He’s going to come in shape.He has come back from his defeat.I have to make sure I’m in good form.I believe I have the energy to come in and break him down in the second half of the fight.He’s a dangerous fighter.”Calzaghe is confident in his fitness after weeks of workouts.Calzaghe expects the support of British fight fans in the arena on fight night despite tough economic times.Calzaghe would not nail shut the door on more fights, however, but he wasn’t sure about what it would take to make him fight again.Nampa-AFP