By Dave Sholler

When it comes to boxing, Welshman Joe Calzaghe has it all. Undefeated in 45 professional bouts, the former undisputed super middleweight champion has titles, money, fame, and consideration as one of the best fighters of the past decade. Having achieved so much in his career, the 36 years old Cardiff, Wales native admits that he doesn’t have much left to prove in the ring.

Still, there is one more feat that Calzaghe would like to accomplish. Before he closes his career, Calzaghe wants to beat a man deemed by many as one of best fighters of all-time. Having already defeated future Hall-of- Famer Bernard Hopkins in his last bout in April, Calzaghe hopes to beat former four-division champion Roy Jones Jr. to seal his career.

The reigning Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion thinks wins over Hopkins and Jones will truly leave nothing left to prove.

“The guy is still a legend in the ring,” Calzaghe said of the 39-year-old Jones, who he will meet on Nov. 8 at Madison Square Garden (HBO PPV). “It's difficult to stay motivated as you get older. The more you achieve in boxing and the more fights you have, it's more difficult. That's why I need big fights, like (Mikkel) Kessler, (Bernard) Hopkins and now Roy Jones. I need these fights. I honestly believe after this fight there's nothing really for me to go for, nothing to get excited about.”

While Calzaghe yearns for a win over Jones to end his career, the task will be easier said than done. Despite posting a 3-3 record in his last six fights dating back to 2004, Jones (52-4, 38 KOs) is a defensive wizard with blazing hand speed. In his last bout in January, Jones showed flashes of his old self and cruised to a unanimous decision victory over Felix Trinidad. Calzaghe realizes that Jones has the potential to put the lone blemish on his record.

“I think Roy Jones is still Roy Jones,” Calzaghe said. “He still has speed, he still has power. I'm not underestimating this guy; I think he's still a formidable opponent. Okay, he may not be as good as he once was, but am I as good as I once was? Who knows? We'll wait and see on November the 8th.

“I think that it's important for me to end at the top,” the Welshman continued. “Hardly any fighter has managed to do that. To be undefeated for 46 fights would be amazing. I basically have beaten everybody to beat and I don't think there's anything else to achieve.”

Calzaghe plans for remaining undefeated are quite simple. The 15-year professional plans on bringing the same style to the ring on Nov. 8 that he brought when he fought his first fight in 1993. He plans to be the quicker, slicker boxer who throws more punches. In the end, he thinks his championship pedigree will carry him into retirement.
“I'm not really concerned with what Roy Jones brings to the table,” Calzaghe, who is trained by his father, Enzo, said. “I'm concerned with what Joe Calzaghe brings to the table. And if I bring my ‘A’ game, then it's game over.

“It all comes down to who wants it most. And I don't believe anyone wants to win as much as I want to win. And that's been the secret to being champ for so long. I leave everything in the ring. And I will leave everything in the ring on November the 8th, believe me. There's absolutely no way I'm going to lose this fight. I will not lose.”

STIFF JABS

JAB ONE - Caught up with WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto last week and he expressed excitement about fighting another top147-pounder in his next fight. “Whoever my team sets me up with, I’ll take it,” Berto said. “I am the new young gun in the division and at the same time, I am a world champion. It’s a title a lot of people want.” Shane Mosley, Luis Collazo, and Miguel Cotto are rumored to be the most likely challengers to the 25-year-old. The date and venue of Berto’s next bout remain unknown.

DOUBLE JAB – Aiken, SC native Paul Williams will meet Verno Phillips on November 29 in a 154-pound title fight. Williams, the current WBO welterweight champion, will fight at super welterweight just two months after defeating Andy Kolle at middleweight. The southpaw continues his attempt to become a multi-division champion and be among the few fighters to consistently fight at different weight classes. For what it’s worth, I think Williams will eventually go down as one of the best of the decade.

TRIPLE JAB – Winky Wright’s return on December 4 is long overdue. While the level of competition is undesirable (sorry Michi Munoz), let’s hope that it is a precursor to another big bout or two. I still think that Winky is one of the best 154/160 pound fighters on the planet. He’d give Pavlik fits and likely hang tough with “The Punisher” as well.

PARTING SHOTS – This one is for all of the haters: The Philadelphia Phillies are World Champions. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.