Super middleweight champion boxer Joe Calzaghe has confirmed that he will quit boxing providing he defeats Roy Jones Junior at Madison Square Garden in New York when the pair clash on Saturday 8 November. The fight will be screened exclusively on Setanta Sports One. In an interview with Setanta Sports News the undefeated Calzaghe said ‘there’s not much more to prove’. “At the moment I’m definitely going to retire. As long as I win and I win in style then it’ll be my last fight.
“I’ve achieved everything I can in boxing. I’m 36 years old and I don’t want to keep on fighting. I love boxing and I love what the sport has given me, but I want to retire undefeated.”
Calzaghe was full of praise for his opponent describing Roy Jones Junior as ‘one of the greatest fighters of the last 25 years’.
“Roy Jones went through a bit of a tough time in his career but he’s come back and had three great wins.
“I can’t underestimate him. I have to make sure I’m 100%. I’ll never forgive myself if I lose my last fight having been undefeated for the last 17 years.”
The fight between Calzaghe and Roy Jones Junior was originally due to take place in September, only for Calzaghe to withdraw through injury. Now Calzaghe has dismissed rumours that he is behind schedule in preparing for the fight.
“Before I injured my hand I was training for two or three weeks so I’ve only had a little bit of time off. Although I’ve not been punching, I’ve been jogging to keep my fitness levels up.
“I normally prepare 12 weeks before a fight and I won’t start sparring for another six weeks. So I’m ahead of schedule and have plenty of time to get in shape for the fight.”
Pianeta and Gammer clash for vacant EU heavyweight title on Valuev undercard
Francesco Pianeta (16-0, 10 KOs) is looking for the 17th win in as many fights when he takes on Scott Gammer for the vacant EU heavyweight title on August 30. The duo will come face-to-face in Berlin on the undercard of Nikolai Valuev´s WBA heavyweight title fight against John Ruiz. After winning the WBC youth heavyweight title with a third-round KO victory over Donnell Wiggins in February, the 23-year-old stopped Michael Marrone in the second round three months later. “Winning the WBC youth title has given me a huge confidence boost,” Pianeta said.
“Stopping Marrone was also very important. But now all that matters is the fight against Gammer. I am only looking ahead. The EU belt means a lot to me. I would not just add another title but also make a huge step in the European rankings. It would get me much closer to my goal of becoming European champion. That is why I really want to defeat Gammer.”
The 31-year-old Welshman (18-2, 9 KOs), a former British champion who comes off a loss against John McDermott, is also hungry for success. “This fight is very important as it gives me the opportunity to re-establish myself as a top heavyweight,” he said. “After my defeat to McDermott I want to show what I can do.”
And he added: “The British title was a big achievement for me, adding the EU title will give me a bigger profile.