In somewhat of a shocking display of bravado, former eight -time world champion Roy Jones Jr. called out super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe at a recent press conference, saying “I can fight at practically any weight right now. “I can drop down to 168 pounds and take on Joe Calzaghe. “‘ll fight him anywhere” he wants. Jones Jr is back and ready to fight.” Perhaps Jones, 38, has taken notice of Calzaghe’s frustration with trying to arrange a bout with light heavyweight Bernard Hopkins, and hopes to make easier for Calzaghe by being much more pliable.
Of course, Jones has less to offer Hopkins at this stage in his career, having lost three out of his last five bouts and badly in need of a big win – not to mention huge payday – before he bows out of the boxing world. Jones is currently preparing for his January 19th bout with former welterweight champion Felix Trinidad, who is coming off a two year retirement for the fight.
It’s doubtful to the extreme that Calzaghe, 35, would be interested in a bout with Jones, even though Roy was always the much more popular fighter than Hopkins was during the prime of his career. However, because of Jones’ diminished skills and his poor performances in his last five bouts, it would be a bout that Calazghe would not likely take on for fear of turning off his fans and angering the public.
Jones, however, does have some skills left, as he showed that he still has blazing fast hands in his last bout with Anthony Hanshaw in July 2007. Yet, Jones throws far fewer punches than he used to and doesn’t have the speed to get out of the way of punches, making him easily countered when he tries to trade shots.