by T.K Stewart
In this boxing era of high powered promoters, television networks, managers, sports lawyers, booking agents and complicated contracts it is surprising to learn how easily the fight between when Roy Jones, Jr. and Joe Calzaghe was negotiated and ultimately came together.
"It was just the two of us," said Jones. "Just like that song, 'Just the Two of Us'."
The fight against Calzaghe was a match that Jones pursued. When 'The Pride of Wales' fought Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas back in April it was Jones who boarded a plane and headed straight for 'Sin City' in order to see if he could get Joe's ear and put a deal together.
"I talked to him after he fought Bernard Hopkins," said Jones. "I asked him if he wanted to fight and we exchanged numbers. So to show you his personality and the integrity in him, I just texted him an e-mail.
"I said, 'Hey, Just tell me this: Do we have a fight?' explained Jones. 'Cause if we got a fight, if you tell we me we got a fight, I'm goin' home and you can send me a contract on Tuesday' because Monday was a holiday. This was Sunday, the day after the Hopkins fight."
Much to Jones' delight, Calzaghe responded favorably.
"He said, 'You know what Roy? We have a fight. I will get you a contract by Tuesday.' continued Jones, who was happy to re-tell the story of how the deal to make the fight unfolded.
Once Jones got the answer he wanted from Calzaghe, he boarded the first flight back to his hometown of Pensacola, Florida and then the final details were worked out.
"I said, 'O.K. that's it I'm outta' here,' continued Jones. "I left, I was very happy at that point. I was cool, I didn't have no more problems.
"Tuesday? Here come the contract just like clockwork," said Jones. "What more can you say about a person?" he asked. "How often can two people do a deal that cut, clean and dried and it's over with?"
After the contracts were signed, a deal was structured, the venue of Madison Square Garden was ultimately selected and the two best 168-pound fighters that have likely ever laced up the gloves will lock horns on November 8th in New York City.
Depending how things go, the fight could be the last for either guy as both have stated they could retire at any time in the near future.
And Jones, ever the deal maker, especially without the middleman, says he'd be open to fighting Calzaghe in a rematch outside the friendly confines of the United States.
"His fans want to see a fight between the two of us live," said Jones, who has been reluctant to fight overseas. "I'd fight him over there...if the money was right!"
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