Calzaghe will recover for a November date with Jones
Joe Calzaghe has quashed fears regarding the seriousness of his hand injury, insisting he will be back to fight Roy Jones Jnr in November.
The undefeated Welshman was forced to postpone the scheduled 20 September showdown at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, after damaging his right hand in training.
But after seeing a consultant yesterday, the 36-year-old is ready to set a new date for the light-heavyweight super-fight against the high-profile American. As it stands, 8 November seems to be the likely date, although Calzaghe is still holding out hope of staging the fight in his hometown Cardiff.
“I have seen a consultant in Cardiff who advised me to rest it for three weeks,” Calzaghe said. “I now expect the fight to take place in November.”
Four-weight world champion Jones says he will wait for Calzaghe but remains confident the fight will take place within two months of the original September date.
“I have been informed by my people at Square Ring that the fight will most likely be rescheduled for November 8 on HBO pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden,” Jones informed the media yesterday.
“I am glad we are close to being able to put together a new date for the fight within 24 hours of learning of Joe’s injury. Joe had shown some concern recently about his hand not being ready. I don’t want him to be any less than his best – so if this is what it takes for that, then so be it.”
Calzaghe has suffered problems with his hand before during his glittering 15-year professional career, but his camp insist this latest setback is not career-threatening, despite hinting this bout may well be his last.