BOXING: JONES JR. RETURNS AS AN UNDERDOG
Roy Jones Jr. returns to the ring for the first time in almost a year and while he’s an underdog, oddsmakers are giving the aging boxer a chance. The 36-year-old is listed at +205 odds as the pundits obviously expect he can match the undefeated Joe Calzaghe this Saturday on HBO pay-per-view.
Don’t miss a second of this highly anticipated fight. Britain’s Calzaghe is a -265 favorite with his Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight belt on the line. The Over/Under in rounds is 11.5.
There are also several other fights that night including an IBF middleweight championship fight from Germany. Arthur Abraham (27-0, 22 KO’s) is -1300 chalk over Raul Marquez (41-3-1, 27 KO’s).
Jones Jr. (52-4, 38 KO’s) remains one of the biggest names in boxing and is arguably the best boxer of his generation.
He had only one loss in his brilliant career until he hit the skids in 2004-2005 losing to Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson and then Tarver again. The first two of those defeats were by knockout while the second loss to Tarver was a unanimous decision in which Jones Jr. seemed happy to simply survive the bout rather than trade punches.
Jones Jr. has rebounded since with three straight wins over Prince Badi Ajamu, Anthony Hanshaw and Felix Trinidad (coming last January). While the competition was hardly impressive, the victories re-ignited his career and earned him another shot in a spotlight fight.
Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KO’s) is the former super middleweight champion who is fighting in the United States for just the second time. He’s coming of a split decision win over Bernard Hopkins in April in Las Vegas. Calzaghe was knocked down in the opening round but rebounded to earn a controversial split decision.
Hopkins may be 43 years-old but his win over Kelly Pavlik last month showed he has a lot left in the tank and lends more credence to Calzaghe’s win.
The 36 year-old Brit says he wants to retire after this fight, but he doesn’t want to go out a loser and is not going to the 39 year-old Jones Jr. for granted.
“This is redemption for him so you can’t write Roy Jones off,” Calzaghe said. “He’s in great shape, the best he’s been in for years, so I can’t go in there sloppy like I did with Hopkins or else I’m heading for trouble.”
Jones Jr. was invigorated by Hopkins’ win as it showed what he can accomplish if he stays motivated and in shape.
“He’s been throwing punches since yesterday and I’ve been ducking and dodging them in my sleep because that’s what he does,” said Jones Jr.
“Come Saturday night, though, we’re going to see how he’s going to deal with me.”
Jones’ comments have a ring of truth to them as many of the experts don’t feel Calzaghe has the power to hurt him and that makes him a very attractive underdog at +205.
