High Art???
By: Andrew Harrison
Tags: joe calzaghe, roy jones jr
Category: boxing, joe calzaghe, roy jones jr, Uncategorized
Roy Jones, a former Remrandt of the ring, had me pondering this question prior to his last fight against Tito Trinidad and heck, he’s gone and done it again with his upcoming bout against Welsh whirlwind Joe Calzaghe. Jones, never an easy man to figure out is now a bonafide enigma. Is he shot? Is he a legend? Did he lose to Tarver and Johnson because he couldn’t ever really take a shot and he finally got caught? Were those knockout defeats due (as he asserts) to the fact he lost too much weight, too quickly? Does he have anything left?
Questions questions……..and he used to be such a straightforward fellow too. He’d win easily, against mainly overmatched opposition, showing flashes of genius yet would usually manage to leave you slightly frustrated before providing a post fight interview which kept you intentionally distanced. Today Roy Jones Jr, the former best fist fighter alive, is a different animal. Generous with his time, more open in his interviews, he may be far easier to warm to, however we now don’t really know if he can still fight.
Step forward Mr Joe Calzaghe, a man who’s career attracts such divergent views, you’d swear he were a double act. His opponents have often felt the same way as he swarms all over them, utilising the fantastic fitness levels he’s consistently built up scaling the fells and valleys of his homeland. Still undefeated after finally testing himself against three undoubted world class fighters in Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler and Bernard Hopkins, we still aren’t really sure what we have in Joe, quite amazing for a man who’s now winding up his career.
So what do we have here? Do we have two great fighters ready to put the final gloss finish on their careers? Do we have a former great in Jones against a man who’s lack of quality opposition precludes him from being in Roy’s company along with that of the other great ones of his era? If this is the case yet Jones has slipped, what will that mean? Can the result of this fight change either man’s final estimation by the experts and the historians? Is it another Lewis Tyson scenario where a fine fighter boosts his legacy by feasting on the remains of a legendary name?
Mmmmm. This one has me beat, it probably belongs in the Tate with some of the other head scratchers. If it is indeed the cynical money making exercise many are predicting, it would fit right in.
4 comments on “High Art???”
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Great articles Haz, really enjoyed them. Don’t know why some of these haven’t already been published (especially the terrific “Don’t call it a comeback” article) but keep trying and i’m sure your hard work will pay off.
Cheers Dave, very much appreciated mate. I’m submitting regularly to Eastside now seeing as I’ve been booted off 606 (That Ceej fella complained and had me ejected!!). Didn’t get a chance to say cheerio to the good lads on there, Jeff, Xman, LRR, Truss, Anj and countless others so if you could pass the message on would be appreciated. I’ll try to remember to post the links from Eastside on here and I’ll keep striving to make it into print outside of my mundane job!! Thanks again for stopping by.
I’ll pass on the message Haz (i’ll be sure to mention the blog as well). LRR got the boot from 606 too. That site has gone to the dogs. Might give eastside or doghouse a try. Anyways have a good Christmas mate and hopefully we’ll get to chat about boxing again in 09.
LRR got the boot? He IS 606. Deary me. Have a good one Dave and a wicked 2009.