Calzaghe's hotline to dream date

7:30am Friday 19th September 2008

JOE Calzaghe has revealed it was his phone call to Roy Jones Jnr which set up his dream fight against the American boxing legend at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 8.

The world super-middleweight king, looking for another challenge after conquering the light-heavyweight division with his victory over Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas, set his sights on Jones, who had made boxing history by winning world titles at four weights from middle to heavy.

Now back at light-heavy, 38-year-old Jones, who has rebuilt his career following a devastating loss to Antonio Tarver, was only too happy to take the fight.

When Calzaghe, who has split from long-time promoter Frank Warren made the call, Jones jumped at the chance.

He said: “He’s been wanting to fight me and I’ve been wanting to fight him for a long time.

“When he said he was a free agent that was the happiest thing I’d heard in a few years because it meant we could do the fight ourselves.”

Jones claims the clash will be “the fight of the year” – so good that it will persuade Calzaghe to abandon his plans to retire and take a rematch in Britain.

“It’s going to be such a great fight we will probably have to bring the second fight over here.” he predicted.

After 45 straight victories – 32 inside the distance – Calzaghe insists it will be 46 and out and he said: “I want to go out in a blaze of glory.”

He admits to being a long-time admirer of Jones but has pledged to put the hero-worship to one side when they climb into the ring.

“To finish off my career against one of the great fighters in Madison Square Garden, for me, is a dream,” said the 36-year-old Welshman, who will put his Ring light-heavyweight belt on the line.