RHYMING Roy Jones Jr did his very best to steal the show yesterday, insisting that it is the undefeated Joe Calzaghe who is under pressure ahead of the Battle of the Superpowers.
Jones, 39, and 36-year-old Calzaghe both held workouts for the media yesterday at the world famous Kingsway Boxing Gym in downtown Manhattan.
Calzaghe, who typically arrived late, was flagged by father and trainer Enzo, uncle Sergio and stablemate and sparring partner Kerry Hope.
Calzaghe appeared relaxed, is clearly in phenomenal shape and seemed to enjoy his first press event.
Jones, on the other hand, was far more interested in stealing the attention, arriving after Calzaghe had left the building.
Both workouts were on the same day to allow a free 24 hours with America gripped by election results.
Jones was a totally different man from the one who so pleasantly chatted with the Welsh media on the British leg of their promotional tour, this time putting on a meaner demeanour and rapping his way through an almost bizarre media huddle.
Bearded, listening to himself rap on his I-pod, Jones was sharp and uncompromising in his assessment of Joe, promising that he will be the man to end Calzaghe’s undefeated streak.
“I look in the mirror and see how good I look and it fires me up, the pressure is on Joe for this one for certain,” he said.
“We couldn’t make this fight back in the day because of promoters but now it’s on, I’ve been open for Joe for a long time, I am like Wallmart, I am open 24/7.
“The pressure is on Joe, much more than on me. I’ve only got to do my thing, but people are expecting everything from Joe, he is undefeated.
“He has never fought anyone as good as me and a victory will mean something to me, it’ll be good, but it means more to Joe, more of the pressure is on him to end undefeated, which isn’t going to happen.
“I have to deal with Joe, because he can punch, even though people say he can’t.
“But I am not worrying about and haven’t contemplated losing the fight, it ain’t going to happen, I am still in great shape, I can’t play four games of basketball and box in the same day, but apart from that I am as good as ever.”
Calzaghe is enjoying his time in the US, though he’s starting to feel the extent of having a camera crew following him around for HBO’s 24/7 show, broadcasting to millions in the US. “It’s like the Truman Show, they are there when I want a bath, need the toilet, it’s mental!” he joked to the Argus.
“I feel great, physically and mentally, I am fighting Roy Jones Jr, what could be bigger than that?
“My mum has nagged me to finish boxing and I want to do that, I still intend for this to be my last fight and I am determined to enjoy it.”
Calzaghe and Jones will come head-to-head today at a press conference, the last time they’ll meet before Friday’s weigh-in.
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