With the world watching, Joe Calzaghe showed just why he is widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing by demolishing the legendry Roy Jones Jr in the early hours of Sunday morning at Madison Square Garden in New York.
However, Calzaghe was treated to a huge sense of Déjà vu as he hit the canvas in the opening round via a Jones Jr right hook – scenes that mirrored exactly what happened in Las Vegas against Bernard Hopkins.
The Welshman, who was spurred on by approximately 7000 British fans, reacted in the perfect manner by putting Jones onto the back foot against the ropes, unleashing several quick combinations with some success.
The third round, which was arguably the best, saw the crowd on the edge of their seats as Calzaghe broke Jones’ guard with swift right-left combos. Jones then hit back, with a huge left hand.
The fourth followed along the same lines, with Calzaghe perhaps shading it. The Newbridge fighter used his jab to great effect whilst the four weight champion Jones hit back with the occasional counter.
As the fight progressed through the rounds, Jones was starting to tire and looked happy to lean against the ropes, attempting to block everything that Calzaghe threw at him.
The battle was effectively over in round 7 when the American legend was struck by two thundering blows to his left eye, opening up a huge gash which poured with blood.
The fight doctor was called to Jones’ corner twice to judge whether or not the fight could continue. But to the American and his corner’s credit, they managed to stem most of the bleeding and opted to soldier on.
The rest of the fight was then something of a formality, with Jones simply waiting for the fat lady to sing and end his night of misery – whilst Calzaghe lapped up the fact that he had a boxing legend at his mercy in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd, an environment which seemed the perfect way to go out. Or is it?
As the bell rang, there was only one outcome to be announced – That Joe Calzaghe had unanimously defeated the great Roy Jones Jr on points and taken his unbeaten record to 46.
The night was summed up completely by studying each man’s fight statistics, which made tough reading for the Jones camp. Calzaghe’s work-rate and energy proved to be the deciding factor.
Calzaghe
Jabs thrown – 362
However, Calzaghe was treated to a huge sense of Déjà vu as he hit the canvas in the opening round via a Jones Jr right hook – scenes that mirrored exactly what happened in Las Vegas against Bernard Hopkins.
The Welshman, who was spurred on by approximately 7000 British fans, reacted in the perfect manner by putting Jones onto the back foot against the ropes, unleashing several quick combinations with some success.
The third round, which was arguably the best, saw the crowd on the edge of their seats as Calzaghe broke Jones’ guard with swift right-left combos. Jones then hit back, with a huge left hand.
The fourth followed along the same lines, with Calzaghe perhaps shading it. The Newbridge fighter used his jab to great effect whilst the four weight champion Jones hit back with the occasional counter.
As the fight progressed through the rounds, Jones was starting to tire and looked happy to lean against the ropes, attempting to block everything that Calzaghe threw at him.
The battle was effectively over in round 7 when the American legend was struck by two thundering blows to his left eye, opening up a huge gash which poured with blood.
The fight doctor was called to Jones’ corner twice to judge whether or not the fight could continue. But to the American and his corner’s credit, they managed to stem most of the bleeding and opted to soldier on.
The rest of the fight was then something of a formality, with Jones simply waiting for the fat lady to sing and end his night of misery – whilst Calzaghe lapped up the fact that he had a boxing legend at his mercy in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd, an environment which seemed the perfect way to go out. Or is it?
As the bell rang, there was only one outcome to be announced – That Joe Calzaghe had unanimously defeated the great Roy Jones Jr on points and taken his unbeaten record to 46.
The night was summed up completely by studying each man’s fight statistics, which made tough reading for the Jones camp. Calzaghe’s work-rate and energy proved to be the deciding factor.
Calzaghe
Jabs thrown – 362
Jabs connected – 120
Jab percentage – 33
Power punches thrown – 623
Power punches connected – 224
Power punch percentage – 36
Power punch percentage – 36
Punches thrown – 985
Jones
Jabs thrown – 149
Jabs connected – 12
Jab Percentage – 8
Power punches thrown – 325
Power punches connected – 147
Power punch percentage – 45
Punches thrown - 475
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