Cardiff, Wales (October 20, 2008)…As he continues to prepare for his November 8 “Battle of the Superpowers” against Roy Jones, Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York City and live on HBO Pay-Per-View, undefeated light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe took a quick break from training to share his thoughts on Saturday night’s tremendous victory for Bernard Hopkins over Kelly Pavlik. Here is what he had to say:
“I said all along Kelly Pavlik was overrated, overhyped and hadn’t done anything in his career to a warrant a fight with me. This was evident Saturday night when Hopkins destroyed and exposed him for what he is. That is why I wasn’t going to waste my time fighting him and went straight to a bout with Roy Jones who has proved himself time and time again that he is one of the greatest fighters in our era. I have been a champion for 11 years and I am only interested in fighting legends.
“They told me that the place was packed with Pavlik fans who either sat stunned or actually started cheering for Hopkins. My fans will have a great night at Madison Square Garden in New York as I will give them no reason to cheer for Roy Jones. I am sure it was a long trip back for all those people from Ohio. I tell my fans, don’t worry, we will be partying on the plane ride home.
“Look at the landscape—I have beat everyman I have ever faced including younger fighters, stronger fighters and of course Bernard Hopkins. After fighting Hopkins, my biggest wish was to fight Roy Jones Jr. who also has a win over Hopkins. Hopkins showed Saturday night he is an amazing fighter but Roy and I both beat him. That says more than enough and come November 8, Roy and I have a chance to settle the score with the winner taking all the glory.
“My boxing career and record speaks for itself. November 8 will be the biggest fight of my career as I am fighting one of the best, at the best place to fight, Madison Square Garden. Believe me, it can’t get here fast enough.”
Defending light heavyweight champion “Super” Joe Calzaghe will face “Superman” Roy Jones Jr in “Battle of the Superpowers” Saturday, November 8 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Promoted by Square Ring, Inc. and Calzaghe Promotions in association with Madison Square Garden, Calzaghe vs. Jones will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Tickets, priced at $1500, $1000, $750, $500, $250 and $150, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets or online at ticketmaster.com.
The Calzaghe vs. Jones pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Calzaghe vs. Jones fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning all-access franchise “24/7” returns on Sunday, Oct. 26 with the premiere episode of “Calzaghe/Jones 24/7” at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.
WOODHALL BACKS TALENTED TRIO
Former WBC World Super-Middleweight Champion Richie Woodhall has backed Birmingham’s current crop of boxing stars to put the city on the fistic map.
The Midlands boxing legend now trains a host of talented youngsters including outstanding duo Matt Macklin and Don Broadhurst, while he highly rates Thomas Costello.
All three appear at the Aston Events Centre on a Frank Warren promoted card on October 31 live and exclusive on Sky Sports.
Broadhurst fights for the Commonwealth super-flyweight title, Macklin is involved in a 10 rounder against dangerous Geard Ajetovic, while Costello continues his ring education in a six rounder.
And Woodhall is backing the trio to come through with flying colours.
“From what I’ve seen in the gym, Broadhurst and Macklin have got the potential to go all the way and fight for world titles,” said Woodhall.
“They are really talented lads and we’ve so far only seen a fraction of what they can do. Thomas Costello is another one to get excited about.
“Cities like Manchester, Cardiff, London and Sheffield have been regarded as strong bases for boxing over the last few years.
“But Birmingham has always been a fight city as well.
“It’s always had good fighters but they’ve gone off and had their big fights somewhere else – until now.
“It’s great that big cards are coming back to Birmingham. Once the ball starts rolling then we’ll get more and more youngsters coming through, and it will be like the Manchester scene of the 1990s.
“This a really exciting time for boxing in Birmingham.”
Promoter Warren added: “I brought Amir Khan to Birmingham in June, and the response from the paying public was absolutely fantastic.
“I can’t wait to stage the October 31 card, and I’m planning on bringing more big fights to the Midlands over the next 12 months.
“The likes of Broadhurst and Macklin – as well as Costello – will be fighting for a lot of titles in the future, and the people of Birmingham are going to play a big part in helping them get there.”
Tickets for the Aston Events Show are available from the Ticket Factory 0871 945 6000 or Aston Events Box Office 0121 327 1649.
***FIGHT CARD***
FRANK WARREN PROUDLY PRESENTS CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
ASTON EVENTS CENTRE, BIRIMINGHAM
FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER
THE VACANT COMMONWEALTH SUPER-FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Don Broadhurst (Birmingham, England) vs. Issac Quaye (Accra, Ghana)
10 X 3 Minute Rounds International Middleweight Contest
Matthew Macklin (Birmingham, England) vs. Geard Ajetovic (Serbia/Liverpool)
8 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Featherweight Contest
Stephen Foster Jnr (Salford, England) vs. TBA
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Light-Middleweight Contest
Thomas Costello (Birmingham, England) vs. Geraint Harvey (Pontypridd, Wales)
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Featherweight Contest
Steven Smith (Liverpool, England) vs. TBA
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Middleweight Contest
Tariq Quaddus (Peterborough, England) vs. Jamie Ambler (Swansea, Wales)