New York City (September 23, 2008)…After a four-city media tour that was as fast as both fighters’ ring styles, Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones Jr. will now begin a serious training regiment as they prepare for their November 8 “Battle of the Superpowers” at Madison Square Garden in New York City and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
The Calzaghe vs Jones press tour spanned from one ocean to the other with the trip beginning in New York, traversing west across the country to Los Angeles, followed by a transcontinental overnight flight from LAX to London Heathrow that landed with the fighters going right to a London press conference where they meet a throng of UK media. The fighters spent the next day in London making media appearances and filming a commercial for UK-rights holder Setanta. The final stop a three hour drive to Cardiff, Wales—home of the champion Calzaghe—for a rousing rally at Cardiff City Hall that had fans lining up as early as 4:00am that morning.. The public gave a warm reception to the legendary Jones and roared with delight when Calzaghe took the stage.
After a grueling schedule and many an interview, the press tour was proof that these fighters are ready to fight when their worlds collide on November 8. From New York to Cardiff, Calzaghe and Jones made it known to the world that they are ready to battle for the right to be at the top of the boxing world.
Calzaghe vs. Jones–”Battle of the Superpowers” is promoted by Square Ring, Inc. and Calzaghe Promotions in association with Madison Square Garden. The 12-round fight for the Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championship belt is on November 8 at Madison Square Garden and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. For Calzaghe vs. Jones fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com. Throughout the Calzaghe vs. Jones promotion, in depth training camp videos, interviews and photos will be available on www.royjones.tv. Please see the below quotes from the various stops on the Calzaghe vs. Jones press tour:
Joe Calzaghe:
“After my fight with Bernard I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but Roy Jones Jr. was the only guy I wanted to fight.
“With Roy I know he is going to fight. It’s going to be the fight of the year.
“On November 8th there are going to be fireworks. I know Roy has speed and is going to come to fight in great shape. It’s going to be a battle.
“I just knew when I went to the Garden I wanted to fight there. It was as simple as that. There is so much history at Madison Square Garden, and all the legends have fought there. I wanted to fight and win what could be the last fight of my career in that building.
Roy Jones Jr:
“This is probably one of the bigger fights of my career and already one of the more enjoyable fights I have been a part of. We (Roy and Joe) already defeated the odds in order for us to be together and make this fight work. This was decision that we made together.
“I’ve been saying the same thing—I want Joe. Finally we made it happen.
“In sports the one beautiful thing is you never know a person until you do battle with them, you share something special with them…Joe is a guy who is a true athlete like me and you have to respect that.
“We are not out there to kill each other but to do the best we can…Whatever happens I am going to be in the best shape I can get in.
“My momma told me I need to stop fighting, but I just can’t seem to stop yet.
“This fight is something you want to cherish…Bring all your stuff, sit down, I know it’s gonna be a wonderful fight.
“Come fight night, Joe will throw enough punches to make us all tired.
“I try to stay in shape in case someone wants to dance. We (Roy and Joe) talked and I said ‘if you want to I will come over there and we will talk.’ I went to England we sat down and decided we were gonna fight.”
Enzo Calzaghe (Calzaghe’s trainer):
“Joe has been asking over and over again, ‘Dad I want to fight Roy Jones.’…today I am proud of his request and I am proud of my approval for this fight.
“Roy has everything as a fighter—a total package and he has fast hands, stamina and intelligence. This is a great opportunity for my son to show everyone he is the complete package too.
“On November 8th you are going to see a fantastic fight. The audience will benefit from this fight.”
McGee Wright (Jones’ manager):
“This fight is a dream fight for me. We’ve been working on it for a few months now.
“For this fight to happen Joe had to get off the ground and give Bernard an ass kicking, thank you Joe. For me Joe is the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
“Roy Jones will be prepared, he will be ready, you will get to see stuff you haven’t seen in a while, and when it’s all said and done, I think Roy will come out on top.”
Alton Merkerson (Jones’ trainer):
“As Joe (Calzaghe) continued to win I started watching this guy, and if you don’t come in good shape when you fight this young man your going to have some problems.
“I don’t understand how 33 people go down if Joe can’t punch. If you don’t get out of the way of this guy that is what will happen to you.
“I saw things Roy has done during my coaching career, and it’s far better than any athlete I have ever trained…I can assure you that what I have observed in the last couples months is shocking to me and will be shocking to you. He can do the same things he did in the early 90’s and you will see that on November 8th.
“There are two things he (Roy) has improved in since I started training him. He knows his body and he knows how to get mentally prepared better.”
Roy Jones Jr:
“Joe and I made this fight, no one else. We walked to Madison Square Garden when we were in New York, looked up at the marquis and said ‘This is where we should be.
“Joe Calzaghe is like the Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going and going. He will start throwing punches on Friday and won’t stop until Sunday.
“I am 39 and he is 36. He is not that much younger than me, but at 39 I have to be careful because I have to keep this face looking cute.”
Joe Calzaghe:
“After fighting Hopkins, my biggest wish was to fight Roy Jones Jr. I watched him in the Olympics, I watched him against Trinidad, and I knew I wanted to fight him. The best way to finish off my career is to fight one of the best, at the best place to fight, Madison Square Garden. So I got my wish.
“This guy (Roy Jones Jr.) is going to try to take my head off on November 8th and I am going to take his.
“I am going to prepare for the best Roy Jones Jr, and he is going to prepare to fight the best Joe Calzaghe.
“This fight is going to be tremendous. It is going to be the fight of the year.”
Joe Calzaghe:
“This has been a great finish to a great week. There has been a lot of great press, but to end up at home has been fantastic.
“I have lots of respect for Roy. This is totally different than Hopkins. But don’t be fooled, November 8th I am excited to adapt to Jones’ style in Madison Square Garden.
“I am more excited for this fight than Hopkins. I have always loved Roy Jones. His style, and we get to do it in New York City of all places.
“I expect all of my fans to be there. I realize the support I have and I really appreciate when a fighter gets that kind of support. To fight in front of 50,000 fans is something that money can’t buy. Even Oscar de la Hoya doesn’t get that.
“He (Roy Jones Jr.) is still very dangerous. I took care of younger guys.
“This is the earliest fight I have ever made. It was a phone call and we had a deal in 10 minutes. That is because I am a fireman.
“During the Hopkins fight, I was at my best. I haven’t watched the tape, but I am going to study like crazy and be so ready.
“Fighting Kessler was my decision. I wanted to start fighting real fights and real fighters.
“I have been a champion for 11 years and now I am fighting against legends.
“I expect to win here. There will not be a rematch.
“Pavlik, who is he? He might get his ass kicked by Hopkins.”
Roy Jones Jr:
“Joe Calzaghe is a great fighter, a busy fighter, probably the quickest fighter I have ever faced.
“Calzaghe is 45 and 0. I am 39 years old. Could you imagine what it would look like if I pulled this out? Who wouldn’t be excited?
“After a superfight is any where close to what I think it is going to be, he will deserve to ask me to come over here and fight for his fans. If it is as good as I predict, it would be crazy for us not to do it again.
“Calzaghe has never fought a fighter with the speed of Roy Jones Jr. You have a guy that is 45-0, a real legend with a shot at the best American fighter of all time—Roy Jones Jr.
“Look at me, I am not a heavyweight, but I was a heavyweight champion of the world.
“We made this fight ourselves. There is nobody telling us what to do. We do it our way. We are the only people reaping the benefits, the two fighters and the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, because we chose to do.
“This fight is two guys coming together. Two worlds colliding. Check it out November 8th, you wont want to miss it.”