From http://www.calzaghe.co.uk//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=121
Joe Calzaghe said on Thursday his 15-year career will end after his light-heavyweight fight against American Roy Jones Jr in November.
Calzaghe, who had indicated in April he would have one more fight, told a news conference that the November 8 bout at Madison Square Garden for The Ring magazine crown would indeed be the end of the road.
"It's a massive fight and it will be my last," said the 36-year-old Welshman. "I've known for a while when I want to go out and as long as I put on a great performance this is my time.
"If I can do that then I've achieved everything I've wanted to achieve in my career. I would never forgive myself if I came to my last fight and threw it all away. Complacency is not in my mindset.
"But I know in my heart this is the right time to stop and my aim is to remain undefeated. I want to win and win in style."
The bout with Jones had originally been scheduled for September 20 but was put back when Calzaghe injured his right hand in training in July.
Calzaghe, whose 45-0 record includes 32 wins inside the distance, beat American Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas on a split decision in his last fight in April.
He said: "I've got 12 weeks left before the fight and will start training on Monday. That's when the hard work begins. The hand is perfectly fine now and I pulled out because I want my hands to be 100 per cent.
"I'll do the same training and run up the same beautiful hills and valleys near my home in Newbridge, South Wales, as I have done since I was 11. I won't change.
"I'll work just as hard as any of previous fights and make sure I'm ready for the challenge."
Calzaghe has been WBO super-middleweight champion for a record 11 years since his unanimous points victory over Chris Eubank in Sheffield in 1997, though recognition in the United States was slow in arriving.
"Fighting at Madison Square Garden will be incredible and it's amazing how things have turned around for me. It took eight years for me to get the chance to fight the best but there was a lot of politics going on.
"It's been very difficult to prove myself to the Americans," he said. "They never rated the Europeans mainly because they wouldn't go out there but I've always beaten the best Americans.
"I've proved myself before and I know I'll have to prove it once again."
Your not the lone ranger there , Ive thought he will retire after Jones ever since the fight was made , he dont want anything to do with Kelly and the body language when Jack said ok you called us we will take it was obvious , Joe needs learn to be careful what you ask for .
Joe and Enzo backpedaled blatantly and they did it dishonestly by saying Kelly wasnt worthy , but Bika and Manfredo was lol , Ive said many times he wont fight Pavlik and if Kelly does a number on Bhop no way known Joe will risk it all against him .
Joes comment that he beat the best Americans is a crock full of denial , he beat past it Americans and an average Lacy , a good Euro in Kessler and an old Bhop and now a shot Jones , Warren cherry picked for his entire career and Joe cherry picked some more when Warren was gone , his resume is black and white cherry picking .
I don't think Joe not facing Pavlik will be to due fear or thinking he'd lose. Most favour him to win, he's the bigger man and believe or not doesn't blatantly duck a challenge.
Joe did beat the best America had in the SMW division pretty much. Mitchell by TKO whom was around #5 in the rankings, Brewer by clear UD whom was around 8, Lacy in a masterclass.
There weren't any fights obviously skipping, he even wanted Ottke. He was injured and had to delay Johnson and Johnson wouldn't wait, Hops dropped out last minute so he was obviously willing to face them and regrets they didn't come off, or in Hops, earlier. Roy wasn't interested in folk like Calzaghe, Joe woulda had to move up in weight, fight some bums, for just a maybe shot and lame pay. Thats possibly a year wasted, lower money, for a possible shot. Few too many hoops to jumpy through that.
As for Pavlik like most, I really don't see Kelly being quick enough, or skilled enough to KO or decision Calzaghe, so fall in the majority whom vote for Joe by UD. It's a question of age, motivation, money, deal making, fitness, hand injuries, Kelly and a lot of other things as to whether it comes off, but not fear. I can understand wanting to wind down at the end of this year as planned it's a natural outro and he should be respected for not pandering and retiring on his reasonable terms, unlike some other stars.
I honestly cannot see him retiring; hes gotten paid so much so quickly in his last 2 fights. If he's smart then he'll carry on so he can make a LOT of money.
I've had a sneaky feeling he will retire for a long time now. But I could be wrong. I just hate all the speculation about a possible match up next year, it gets done so much because America just wana pitch there best guy against the top Brit atm, whom is above the best Americans in the p4p rankings. To me that's all it is, and what spirals out of it ranges from Calzaghes ducking if he doesn't fight him, to Calzaghe's entire career and him is not great if he doesn't fight Kelly. What a ridiculous exaggeration, and I can see it all exploding if as predicted and in Calzaghes words (most of the time) he retires.
LOL I dont know what to think about urs........HAHAHA.......
But I still love ya!!
I know you love it.
booooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:crackhead
:wtf:
LOL....Nursery Rhymes ehh??
And thats Maggot by the way................:thinking:
:lol1:
Congatulations Joe
You retired with an (0)
I hope you already know
your whole career has nothing to show
your fans are going to have it
if Calzaghe ducks Pavlik
it would really be tragic
you welsh magget
:joke:
LOL....Nursery Rhymes ehh??
And thats Maggot by the way................:thinking:
I am hoping Roy pulls it off. But I am betting with my head on this one. I bet on Hopkins-Pavlik with my heart :boxing:
EDIT- Love you too Dan :kiss:. Liking the av ;)
booooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:crackhead
I am hoping Roy pulls it off. But I am betting with my head on this one. I bet on Hopkins-Pavlik with my heart :boxing:
EDIT- Love you too Dan :kiss:. Liking the av ;)
LOL I dont know what to think about urs........HAHAHA.......
But I still love ya!!
I don't think he'll retire after Jones personally. There's too much money to be had, and a score to settle with Pavlik to shut the doubters up.
He should also have his 'Last fight' here in the UK so his fans can give him the proper send off.
Love ya T.......:boxing:
I am hoping Roy pulls it off. But I am betting with my head on this one. I bet on Hopkins-Pavlik with my heart :boxing:
EDIT- Love you too Dan :kiss:. Liking the av ;)
let Us Hope Brother. One More Time Roy, Ftw!
yall Musta Forgot!!!!!!!!
Then.........................................bring On The Infamous.................
60-40 I'll Kick Yahh Asss.....................60-40
It sounds like he is serious but you never know. It is pretty rare that a fighter's first retirement is genuine. Still, good luck to him if he does call it a day.