David Haye’s next opponent Monte Barrett is backing Joe Calzaghe to triumph over Roy Jones Junior. The pair clash this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Speaking to Setanta Sports News Barrett tipped Calzaghe to succeed. “I love Roy, but I’m going with Calzaghe. Calzaghe’s got that little special ‘oomph’ – he just doesn’t lose. He’s not the most polished fighter as far as throwing punches but he throws a lot of them. He’s consistent.”
Barrett takes on David Haye at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday 8th November. And the heavyweight boxer added that the odds are stacked against Jones.
“One thing about boxing – you never count anybody out. I’m not counting him out; I’m just saying that the odds are stacked against him. In every fight you have a winner and you have loser. The odds have been stacked against me and I’ve come through, so that’s not to say he can’t win through..”
Junior “The Hitter” Witter returns to the ring 8th November
Former WBC World Light-Welterweight Champion Junior Witter is looking to produce a stylish win when he begins his comeback at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday, November 8th 2008.
Witter (Bradford) boxes Victor Hugo Castro (Argentina) in a ten-round international bout on a Hennessy Sports show in his first fight since losing the prestigious WBC World Light-Welterweight Title by split decision to Timothy Bradley (USA) in May.
Former European and British champion Witter hopes to get a rematch with Bradley next year and win back the same world title.
“Junior was an excellent world champion and I’m confident he can regain the form that saw him beat the likes of Lovemore N’dou, DeMarcus Corley and Vivian Harris before his split decision points loss to Bradley,” said promoter Mick Hennessy.
Joint top of the bill is former WBC world title challenger Danny Williams (Brixton) faces Poland’s Albert Sosnowski over ten rounds following the withdrawal of John McDermott from a British heavyweight title fight that was scheduled to feature on the show.
Former British Light-Welterweight Champion Lenny Daws (Morden) is aiming to produce an impressive display to stay in the hunt for another title shot after comprehensively out-pointing Frenchman Mihaita Mutu over ten rounds in his last fight in June.
“I was happy with how it went against Mutu who is an experienced opponent. I’m just waiting to get my chance to go for the British title again. I just need to keep active and in good form until I get my chance,” said Daws.
“David Barnes is the champion right now and he has turned his career around. He fights Colin Lynes on December 5 and hopefully I can get the winner.”
Colchester light-welterweight Lee Purdy and High Wycombe’s Sheffield-based Gareth Couch are closing in on title shots and will be looking to extend their impressive records in other bouts on the bill.
Belfast boxer Kevin O’Hara returns to action while unbeaten duo Steve O’Meara, from Wembley, and Dwayne Lewis, from Canning Town, continue their young careers after making promising and exciting starts in the paid ranks. Bradley Evans (Royston), who was due to make his professional debut, is off the bill.
The action will be screened live at 7.30pm by ITV4.
CALZAGHE VS. JONES TRAINER ROUND TABLE QUOTES
Alton Merkerson, Jones’ trainer:
” There have been no changes in the way we have trained for this fight. One thing I respect about Roy is that he never forgets where he came from and we always go back to the basics.
“With our training, we always stick to the basic fundamentals; you first need heart. It takes a man to get knocked down and get up and try again. You have to be able to give a punch and take a punch and always be smart in the ring.
“We will do whatever it takes. A win is a win.
“If you got stung by a bee in the cheek would you ever let another bee sting you there? No and Roy won’t let Joe keep doing the same thing to him.
“Roy has nothing to prove. He has already proven it. He is doing this fight to prove to everyone that he still can.
“Joe has all the pressure in this fight because people are saying Roy is the underdog and that Joe should win because he is at his prime and Roy isn’t. But Roy performs best when he is the underdog.
“Roy has radar he doesn’t waste punches, and is going to make his punches count and that’s no secret to anyone.
“If you are always worried about defense you will never have any offensive. In this fight you will see natural strategies.
“This fight is going to be like two gladiators running at each other on horses and the smartest guy will not get knock off.
“It is going to be a great fight but I just don’t see Roy losing.
“He will beat Joe and this fight will just be a additional thing to add to Roy’s history”
Enzo Calzaghe, Calzaghe’s dad and trainer:
“Joe prepares himself, opponents change but the game stays the same. Joe trains with his own plans and does not think too much. If you think too much it could get in the way. He knows his own heart and mind.
“Joe is natural and knows his own instincts. As long as Joe shows up at the top of his game it won’t be a problem.
“Joe has heart, and talent to achieve what he has set out to do. Saturday night is just part of that road.
“I don’t want anything. I want it for Joe. We have achieved this together as father and son and 25 years latter, we have the best chemistry.
“I am a person who works with Joe as first his father and second his trainer which is what he will need me to be on Saturday night.
“His dream is to be undefeated and that is what gives him the true essence of his career.
” For Roy Jones I wonder when shit hits the fan what is going to happen to him? With his mind and heart challenged will he come out short? Roy Jones has been stopped before. He is a great fighter but does Roy have it? Talk is cheap, and it’s the soul searching when the moment comes means the most.
“Roy knows that we hunted for him. He didn’t look for us because we wanted the best fight we could have and at Madison Square Garden. You can’t beat that”
Calzaghe vs. Jones “Battle of the Superpowers” is a 12-round championship for Calzaghe’s Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championship belt. Promoted by Square Ring, Inc. and Calzaghe Promotions in association with Madison Square Garden, Calzaghe vs. Jones will take place November 8, and 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 final episode of HBO’s all-access reality series Calzaghe/Jones 24/7 debuts tonight, Thursday, Nov. 6 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.
All three half-hour episodes of CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7 will be presented back-to-back-to-back Friday, Nov. 7 (8:30-10:00 p.m.), and Saturday, Nov. 8 (8:30-10:00 a.m.), on HBO. All times are ET/PT